children's museum

Be Legendary at The Sports Legends Experience at The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis

Growing up I dabbled in a few sports. Tried gymnastics and dance as a young kid and stuck with soccer through college but I’d never say I was a super sporty person. I enjoyed being on a team more than the actual skill. My husband was the same. He played some sports as a kid but was more drawn to music through High School and College. Our four year old Sophia, however, seems to be a natural at a few sports come to find out after visiting Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. She was a natural on the soccer and hockey fields! She was excited that with each sport there was a child sized ball and hoop/goal. There was so much to explore we have to head back to check out the golf, baseball, fitness track and tennis but was very into playing all the other sports. My favorite part of the experience is getting outside as a family to try new skills and a little exercise.

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Be Legendary at The Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

We had the pleasure to join some of our media friends out at the preview before opening to the public Saturday March 17th. I had high expectations of this 7.5 acre exhibit the museum has been working on for over a year. With us being frequent visitors and now as parents of a pre-K student at the school we have been watching the full construction process as it’s progressed. I’m happy to say that the exhibit FAR exceeded our expectations and wishes. With 12 outdoor exhibits and 3 indoor exhibits encompassing physical fitness, sports history and tons of family fun we were blown away and can’t wait to go back!

With a General Admission ticket or membership, each guests can explore and discover…

  • 12 outdoor sports experiences
  • 3 indoor sports exhibits, including the National Art Museum of Sport
  • The 60-foot tall Children’s Museum Guild’s Tree of Sports
  • 5 floors of fun in The Children’s Museum

The 12 outdoor sports experiences include:

  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Tree of Sports (tree house meets jungle gym)
  • Racing
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Avenue of Champions (The avenue features 16 individuals who have left a significant impression on sports history, who have defied odds, who have given back, and more. To learn how the legends were chosen, read Advisor Skip Berry’s blog.)
  • Hockey
  • Fitness Path
  • Track

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Sports Legends Experience at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

New Exhibits at The Children’s Museum- American Pop Culture and Dance

New Exhibits at The Children’s Museum- American Pop Culture and Dance will open Saturday June 17th, 2017. We were invited by The Children’s Museum to view the exhibits in a media preview. Photos may be used with my consent. 

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis never ceases to amaze me. Since moving back to Indy two years ago, we have been to the museum no less than 30 times and we’ve yet to be bored. There’s always something new to see and this Saturday they will be revealing their newest exhibit The Galleries for American Arts and Popular Culture, featuring a permanent exhibit- American POP– and a temporary exhibit- DANCE!

American POP

American POP

I have no doubt that every single person who visits American POP will have an emotional reaction to this exhibit; whether it’s the music, fashion or artifacts, there is something interesting for everyone. America POP is divided into four categories:

  • TV, Film, and Music: Some shows, songs, and movies remain popular across generations. I remember watching Star Trek with my parents as a kid and John William’s score to Star Wars still gets me excited! TIP: Have teens that don’t typically enjoy tagging along at TCM? This will be the spot for them.
  • Fashion and Textiles: Fashion trends can be a reflection of cultural values, technology, or events of the time. This section is a great example of how trends fade and return, such as, mini skirts, platform shoes and leggings.
  • Comics, Art and Literature: How do we use popular culture? Families surround themselves with products, merchandise, and reading material that reflects their personality.  The museum holds more than 14,000 comic books in its Max Simon Collection.

comic book collection at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis American POP Culture

Comic Book American POP Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

New Exhibit at Children's Museum- American Pop and Dance


‘Batman, Barbie, Hot Wheels, LEGOs, and Star Wars are multi-generational characters and stories shared by grandparents, parents and their children. Because these characters and stories are ‘evergreen,’ they provide a wonderful means for families to engage with each other and discuss how the stories are the same and how they may have changed over time,’ said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, the Children’s Museum.


 Comic Book American POP Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Star Wars at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis American POP Culture

Star Trek at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis American POP Culture

Inside the exhibit you’ll also see:

  • See comics from the Max Simon Comic Book Collection
  • Put yourself in a digital comic book scene
  • Explore toys and memorabilia from the museum’s newly acquired Batman collection
  • Discover how superheroes like Wonder Woman have changed with the times
  • Design your own fashions
  • Compare songs of different styles and eras
  • Predict movie plots
  • See iconic outfits worn by music stars or in popular films
  • Try-on the fads of another generation
  • And more!

Dance! exhibit at Children's Museum

DANCE!

As a former high school show choir member, I have a very special place in my heart for dance. Bright lights, performing, hair, makeup, adrenaline and then losing all of that anxiety when the music starts and your body just does the rest. Dance still brings me joy as a Mom during our afternoon dance breaks or watching my daughter’s first ballet class.

DANCE! is a separate temporary exhibit (June 17, 2017–April 2018) that opens alongside The Galleries for American Arts & Popular Culture. There, families will have an opportunity to learn many different types of dance moves as well as how those dances tell a story, express emotions ,and build relationships. Learn some of the most popular dance moves through instructional videos within the exhibit.

Dance! Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis(Photo: The Children’s Museum)

Some of the dances through the decades that will be featured include:

  • The Charleston (20s-30s)
  • Swing (40s)
  • Twist (50s-60s)
  • Hustle (70s)
  • Macarena (80s-90s)
  • Chicken Noodle Soup (2000s-present)

These two amazing side-by-side exhibits work so well together. The American POP exhibit will consistently be rotating artifacts to keep the exhibit exciting as well as to preserve the objects from light damage. We will be coming back several times to spot all the new objects and to freshen up on our Macarena skills.

For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit their website or follow them on Twitter @TCMIndy, Instagram @childrensmuseum, YouTube.com/IndyTCM, and Facebook.

Doc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum

I love living in Indy! The newest exhibit at The Children’s Museum is Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins!

Doc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

“Experience the first-ever museum exhibit based on Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning television series “Doc McStuffins” as it opens at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit debuts August 6, 2016 and will travel to other venues around the country starting in 2017.”

Doc McStuffins started as an idea creator Chris Nee thought up to help her son not be as scared while visiting the doctor as he was treated for asthma. I love stories of parents who create something that helps make their children happy and it turns into something grand that makes millions of children happy! It has transformed from a 2D TV show to an interactive experience where children can explore health care in a fun environment. Children are invited to help Doc perform check-ups and diagnose toy patients, while learning about healthy habits, compassion and nurturing care.

The Exhibit

As you enter the exhibit you’re transported to Doc’s backyard playhouse where you can enter and ‘check in’ at the reception desk of Doc’s toy hospital. The toy hospital is divided into sections where children can visit the Nursery, Pet Vet, Emergency Room or Operating Room. Without spoiling too much, here are our favorite areas of Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit. Highlights: Pet X-ray in the Pet Vet, taking care of new babies in the Nursery, and meeting Doc McStuffins herself! Without giving any more away, I’ll let my photos give you a little glimpse to hold you over until you’re able to visit!

Doc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's Museum Doc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's MuseumDoc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's MuseumDoc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's MuseumDoc McStuffins at the Indianapolis Children's MuseumI really enjoyed the behind the scenes interview with Chris Nee that The Children’s Museum posted on FacebookLive yesterday. For more Doc McStuffins fun, visit the Disney Junior website for games, coloring pages and videos. Use the hashtags #atTCM and #DocMcStuffins on social media when you visit this heartwarming exhibit.

Fables Across Time: Kalila and Dimna

My favorite exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is called Fables Across Time: Kalila and Dimna. I am grateful to be sharing first hand knowledge of the exhibit as I had the chance to interview the curator of this wonderful display – Sabiha Al KhemirFables Across Time

Fables Across Time

Fables Across Time

Sabiha partnered with the Children’s Museum to create an exhibit that would illustrate the importance of storytelling across the globe and time. The focus of the piece demonstrates how ‘fables mirror our morals, our cultures, ourselves…’ It is astounding to me how these fables from 700 years ago are still being adapted and re-told all around the world.

Fables Across Time: Kalila and Dimna is an interactive exhibit of Kalila and Dimna (570 CE), that brings the characters, their relationships and lessons to life. The display showcases storytelling in the form of digital media, illustration, hands-on games and theater. It’s the perfect exhibit for toddlers up through grandparents to have the chance to talk about stories they’ve been told.

Check Indy’s Child Parenting Magazine for more of my visit to this wonderful exhibit.

 

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