Museum trips are incomplete if visitors cannot somehow insert themselves into the equation and truly immerse themselves in the experience. Be honest, the "no touching" and "no photographs" policies are simply a no go for kids, so you have to plan your outings accordingly.
Fortunately, there is a new kid-friendly feature making a spring debut. The National Museum of the American Indian, the latest NYC attraction to receive a hands-on component, will open its new activity center, imagiNATIONS, on May 17, and we can't wait to take a peek. Young visitors will be able to explore Native ideas that are still used today through experiments, computer simulations and puzzles, among other activities.
Photograph: Courtesy National Museum of the American Indian
"The center’s educational goal is to demonstrate the influence and impact of Native innovations and technologies on everyday life in ways that will engage visitors and stimulate their thinking," the museum said in a statement.
Naturally, there's a lot to look forward to with this reveal, including a Discovery Room, a 26-foot-long Inka grass rope bridge, a 15-foot Yup’ik kayak frame and designated classroom areas. Whether kids are learning about hearing underwater or trying to figure out how to crack Aztec codes (two of the space's activity highlights), they'll certainly feel engaged with the material.
What better way to learn than to get involved? We'll see you at imagiNATIONS!
1 Bowling Green (212-514-3700, nmai.si.edu).
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Need help making plans? Look no further. Take the whole gang for a trip to one of these awesome family attractions, stop by one of many fun restaurants for a bite to eat and finish off the day by taking a swing at the best mini golf NYC has to offer.