It’s a jungle in there

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — You took your husband and two kids shopping at the outlet malls in San Marcos. It’s 4 o’clock, and somewhere between Mikasa and Kirklands, you and your wallet finally decide to call it quits.

Your two-year-old is tired. Your four-year-old is grumpy and your husband, well, he’s worse than the toddlers. So, how do you avoid this situation next time?

The Children’s Museum in New Braunfels has made its way to the Prime Outlet Center in San Marcos, and Southwest Texas State University is playing a big role in its development.

Children’s Museum Primetime opened in San Marcos in December 2001, and both the New Braunfels and San Marcos outlets are partnering with SWT departments and Aquarena Center to develop preschool and other children’s activities.

The museum offers sanctuary for parents needing a place to take cranky kids for a break from shopping or to drop off dad and the kids.

“Ann Johnson’s class in (SWT’s) Family and Consumer Science Department is working on a creativity site for the museum,” said Julie Swift, museum director. “Currently, we have an exhibit produced by SWT on the Colonias (small border towns with little infrastructure).”

Swift said the partnerships that have developed lend incredible support to the museum. Several SWT faculty and staff members are on the board of the museum.

For more detailed information on SWT’s involvement in the outlet children’s museums, please contact Fred Blevens, professor of mass communication, at (512) 245-3484, or contact Vickie Morris at (512) 245-2395. Swift can comment on the museum, and she can be reached at 830-620-0939. Ted Omohundro, senior general manager of Prime outlets, can be reached for comment at (512) 396-2201.