In connection with The Croods: A New Age home release this month, we attended Universal Pictures Home Entertainment’s “Camp Croods” virtual event and got a first look at fun activities families can join.

Note: This posted was written in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for the films home release. I was invited as media to the virtual preview. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own

Since we're fans of the films, we enjoyed being part of "Camp Croods". But we're also big fans of going to the museums and learning cool things. It was a real treat for us to get an in depth look into the museum and the programs they have to engage families.


During our virtual “Camp Croods: at the La Brea Tar Pits" preview there was a lot of interactive activities. We even had a chance to ask questions to the The Croods film makers, story artists as well as the "Camp Croods" Smithsonian Natural Museum Staff.

My son was so excited when his question to Director, Joel Crawford got picked to be answered.

Daniel (MommyFactor): What made you want to do Guys backstory, instead of doing another Croods adventure?

Joel Crawford (Croods Director): It felt like the first Croods was so much Epp and Grug story, since we go to see them meet Guy. But I remember watching the first Croods and thinking, it's so interesting that Guy's been traveling as a kid his whole life.

So when we approached the second Croods film, I wanted to see where he came from. And ultimately The Croods: New Age is about seeing things from someone else's point of view and meeting different people.

So it seemed like the right way to start the movie, from Guys point of view.

It was fun to interview everyone since we learned a few things about making The Croods: A New Age film, how animals today connect to the prehistoric times and SO much more!

Here are a few highlights from the virtual event
Director, Joel Crawford shared there was 100's of creatures, including a Rumbble Bee and a Kangadillo, created for The Croods film and showed us a few, while explaining what made them unique.


Paleontologists, Laura shared how they find and dig up bones, including real life bones of Saber-tooth Tigers. She also shared some of the challenges they face while figuring out how to put the bones together.


Animator, Heidi Jo Gilbert taught us step by step how to draw Chunky (we love him!) while sharing how fun it was to create new characters and see how they'd fit into the world of The Croods. Her favorite character is Dawn, who was inspired by her nieces and nephews.

There was a lot more interactive moments I could share, but I don't want to tell you everything! I'd rather you join in and experience "Croods Camp" with your family! Here's how!

La Brea Tar Pits, part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) have partnered with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment to bring families and kids “Camp Croods,” based on the DreamWorks Animation family film The Croods: A New Age.

The two separate interactive programs will feature hands-on activities and scientific investigation to explore the Ice Age, human origins and fate of saber-toothed cats.

Families will have the chance to meet real-life paleontologists and archaeologists, participate in DIY art projects, explore virtual tar pits (La Brea Tar Pits camp), take a virtual tour of the Human Origins exhibition (NMNH camp) and experience drawing demonstrations that bring the fan favorite prehistoric Croods characters to life.

Camp Croods at La Brea Tar Pits

• Thursday, February 11, 2021, 3pm-4:30pm PT / 6pm-7:30pm EST
• Saturday, February 13, 2021, 10-11:30am PT / 1pm-2:30pm EST
• FREE. Registration required.
• RSVP - www.tarpits.org/campcroods

Camp Croods at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

• Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 6pm-7pm ET
• FREE. Registration required.
• RSVP - www.s.si.edu/croods

After learning so many cool things, I'm sure your family will enjoy watching The Croods: A New Age in a new and exciting way.

The Croods: A New Age is available now on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray™ and DVD February 23, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

To learn more, visit - www.dreamworks.com/croods

Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheCroods
Twitter - www.twitter.com/Dreamworks
Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecroods


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