The change in season is bringing a change in exhibit space at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota.
Roll, Drop, Bounce, a totally kinetic and hands-on experience that appeals to wheel-spinning, ball-tossing children of all ages, is opening on the second floor in the traveling exhibit space. The exhibit, set to open mid-September, explores the physics of motion through a variety of experimental activities including model cars, colliding balls, and catapults.
Connective Construction, which occupied the space all summer, said goodbye following the Free Day of Play. But stay tuned, the exhibit’s activities, including 1,300 stackable, buildable pieces could reappear during special events.
Please excuse our splashing
After seeing more than 850,000 guests, one of the museum’s most popular exhibits, Splash, is being reimagined. The room will be closed starting Monday, Sept. 17, to make way for a brand new experience.
The work will not happen behind closed doors, however. Guests will be able to see progress from the hallway and even don a hard hat as they observe. The exhibit is estimated to reopen in November 2018. The new table will be able to hold 806 gallons of water and will contain a variety of interactive, engaging elements. What type of elements, you ask? You’ll have to stop by to see the progress!
Tinker Wall, Living Maze, and other additions
In early May, the second floor saw the addition of the Tinker Wall, where guests are invited to try, toggle, and test 16 light switches with corresponding light fixtures and doorbells. The exhibit also features a variety of latches, knobs, and forms of hardware to explore.
The Living Maze, located on the outdoor prairie, saw the addition of lilypad cymbals and a melody xylophone recently. Their sound adds a peaceful backdrop to prairie play.
It’s not an exhibit, but it will affect decisions made regarding exhibits: The museum is excited to announce the addition of a youth advisory board. Among their duties, members of the Kidoodle Council will be ambassadors for the museum in the community, generate ideas for programs and exhibits, and provide feedback to museum staff guiding direction in future operations. The council, open to those age 6-12, will be an important piece in the museum’s mission to spark imagination for all. Applications are due on November 1, 2018.