New Wilmington Riverfront facility gives kids - and their parents - myriad ways to amuse and educate themselves
The kids may think that pushing the button, pulling the lever, making the bone move, climbing the wall, tooting the horn, viewing the reflection, dancing in front of a large video screen and turning on the light are just fun. But the adults with them should know that, more importantly, it's all about learning.
"There is nothing better than learning through play with kids," said Julie W. Van Blarcom, executive director of the Delaware Children's Museum, which opens April 24 on the Wilmington Riverfront. "How do you get a kid engaged? You make it fun."
The First State's first children's museum is intended for ages 1-12. Its design combines elements to appeal to kids (bright walls, swirling floor patterns, cartoony signage and interactive exhibits at every turn) with elements that reflect the building's history in shipbuilding and as Kahunaville (30-foot ceilings, big interior spaces, corrugated aluminum at the admission desk and the infrastructure for that old volcano remaining outside). There are seven galleries, each with a 49-person limit.
During a tour last week, with construction still going on, Van Blarcom, 58, let her inner child come out as she showed off some of the exhibits that were already working: lighting up ways to identify fake $5 bills and blowing the railroad engine horn.
The Power of Me gallery was closest to completion. Stations there test flexibility, reaction time, balance and arm strength. Mirrors, a stethoscope and other gadgets to teach the skeletal, respiratory and nervous systems. The Food-o-Matic diner covers portion size. The food pyramid is re-imagined as triangles, with big areas for grains, vegetables, fruits and milk, and small areas for fat, meat and beans. Color-coded magnets allow children to match foods to the areas.
One station - geared toward young kids, as evidenced by the slide - touts the Nemours Health & Prevention Services' 5-2-1-Almost None nutritional program: Each day eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, spend no more than two hours in front of the television, get at least one hour of physical activity and drink almost no sugary beverages.
The Nemours logo is a rarity. Corporate sponsorship (AAA, AstraZeneca, Chase, DuPont, Exelon, NRG Energy, PSEG) of exhibits will be limited to signage at the entrance of each gallery.
Promised attractions in The Power of Me section include lungs that will expand and contract, a digestive system model and a large game of Operation.
In other parts of the museum, kids can use rowing machines in simulated sculls to travel down the Christina River, with the video keeping pace with the rowing. Four contestants can compete in a multiple-choice game show with questions written for the museum. A rock wall allows up to six to climb the holds - which sport multicolored lights - in competition.
A "green screen" will allow children to dance along with videos of local dancers (a ballet solo, two pairs of Mexican dancers, four Nanticoke Indian dancers, a stomp routine, six kada performers from a karate studio, four dancers performing a Chinese doll dance, a tap solo, four Irish dancers, four African dancers and four Bollywood-style dancers).
All in all, dozens of things to experience.
To a degree, Van Blarcom said, she wants the museum to re-create some of the fun she had creating theater (complete with sets and tickets) growing up with her twin brother and older sister on an Ohio farm.
September, after the kinks are ironed out, Van Blarcom predicts that the museum will welcome high schoolers and adults as volunteers.
Staff members will be stationed throughout to enhance the experience, but it's also hoped that parents will just want to join in on the educational fun.