Looking for something memorable to do with your kids this summer? You may be too busy to take your kids to Egypt or China, but that doesn’t mean your family can’t have an exotic adventure right here in Indiana.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is dedicated to offering immersive and engaging attractions for the whole family. As one of the only children’s museums in the United States that collects real artifacts, you can feel positive about allowing your kids to have a good time because they will learn a lot in the process.
The museum recently opened the new Treasures of the Earth exhibit that allows children to play the role of an anthropologist as they are transported to locations all over the world.
“We tried to create a realistic environment that looks like the real sites. We took photos of the walls of actual tombs, and we went underwater to an actual pirate’s shipwrecked site,” Jennifer Robinson, president of experience development at The Children’s Museum, said. “You feel like you’ve traveled to Egypt or China, and you play the role of a real anthropologist.”
In preparation for the exhibit, and with help from National Geographic Society experts, groups of museum staff explored the tomb of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Seti with famed Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. Staff also teamed up with experts in China to tell the story of Zhao Zheng, the ruler of the kingdom of Qin in 237 BC.
Robinson says exhibits such as these allow children to feel engaged. Employees dress up in characters and unlike traditional museums with “no touch” policies, exhibits at The Children’s Museum are interactive.
Currently, the museum has 15 exhibits open, including a Barbie exhibit that allows kids to play the role of fashion designers; Dinosphere which aims to help children realize what the world was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth; and Take Me There: Egypt, which is designed to mimic modern Egypt.
Kids who visit said they really enjoyed their time at The Children’s Museum.
“I like this place a lot. I really loved Dinosphere. It was my favorite because it feels like true discovery and I got to dig stuff out of the ground,” said David Mkinstry, 8, who visited this museum from Cincinnati as part of a school field trip.
Two of his classmates, Carissa Henry, 8, and Marin Hader, 7, said that they both loved the Barbie exhibit because they play with Barbies. They also enjoyed playing the role of fashion designers.
If you want to take your family out to the museum but are low on cash at the moment, the museum hosts free family nights sponsored by Target. On the first Thursday of every month from now until Dec. 1, visitors can receive free admission to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis between 4 and 8 p.m.
Robinson said parents should consider taking their children to the museum because it allows kids to have fun while exploring new interests.
“I think they learn what they are interested in. At the museum, they discover art, fashion and science. This can spark an interest in a new subject. Then when they study something similar in school they will have a connection to it,” Robinson said.
For more information, visit thechildrensmuseam.org.
Treasures of the Earth: Explore a pirate’s shipwreck, an ancient Egyptian tomb and see what would it would be like to live with Terra Cotta Warriors from Xi’an, China.
Dora and Diego: Let’s Explore: Go adventuring with Dora and Diego as you help baby animals in a rainforest maze, divide up pirate’s treasure and more.
Dinosphere: Journey back to the Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Look at dinosaur fossils, take part in a hands-on dig and more.
Take me there: Egypt: Learn about modern Egyptian life while visiting a home, shopping at a marketplace or attending a traditional Egyptian celebration.
Barbie: The Fashion Experience: Let your kids become fashion designers as part of this engaging exhibit, and let your kids walk the runway.
ScienceWorks: Climb a rock wall, explore habitats of animals, and learn about nutrition and exercise as part of ScienceWorks.
