It’s not every day you see a room full of adults playing in the Splash exhibit, but this is exactly what happened after the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting that took place on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Kidoodle, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota’s mascot, was also front and center for the celebration and even took the honors with the scissors. Executive Director Kate Treiber spoke on behalf of the museum welcoming more than 40 chamber members along with guests of One Million Cups.
“We are so excited to celebrate the culmination of this 2-year project,” Kate told the group prior to the ribbon-cutting. “The reimagination of Splash involved staff and board members. But it also engaged our youngest constituents who gave us great ideas and firsthand knowledge of how they would love for this room to look.”
The new room features a water wheel that is powered by two hand pumps as well as a whirlpool and water vortex area where visitors can explore how water moves and reacts. Many younger visitors love the sink and float area that allows them to explore dramatic play with frogs and turtles. Racing rivers, a dam area, and a ball blower and overhead track round out the experience.