Think Outside the Box with The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s Newest Feature Exhibit June 14-December 31

Children know that a box is never just a box. It can be a car, a house, a rocket… the possibilities are endless! Outside the Box, the upcoming feature exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, taps into the imaginative minds of children to encourage “outside of the box” thought, innovation and exploration. As an in-house exhibit designed by The Museum’s own Manager of Exhibits Rachel Towns, Outside the Box will be featured June 14 – December 31 to inspire children to become creative thinkers while discovering the building blocks of math, engineering and technology.

“Innovative, inventive thought is our fundamental focus at The Children’s Museum,” said Jane Turner, executive director of The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “Our Outside the Box exhibit encourages children to do just that! They can let their imaginations run wild and explore key critical and creative thinking skills to find solutions through the power of play.”

In the 2,000 sq. ft. exhibit, visitors can explore three learning zones for imaginative fun. Children will use giant and small cardboard boxes, tubes and cylinders to explore creative play and building in the “Box Zone.” Through highly engaging props and interactive activities, children are encouraged to use their imaginations to create castles, bridges, small towns, huge cities and more. They can also experience hands-on games and activities in the “Imagination Playground,” which features various blocks, balls and other items for engaging fun. Guests can then experiment at the rotating “Maker’s Space” and turn their dream inventions into realities. With various computers featuring simple CAD programs onsite, they can design a super-powered paper airplane or even make a robot that walks – the sky is the limit!

Feature activities and programming during Outside the Box will change monthly, as each month highlights a new exhibit theme. Below are the upcoming exhibit themes for June, July, August and September:

June: Summer in the City

School may be out, but Outside the Box is just getting started! Families can keep their minds active and engaged with special summertime activities and crafts. Highlighted programming during June includes:

Solar Cooker In a Box

Transform a cardboard box and some aluminum foil into a tool which captures and utilizes the energy of the sun's light!

UV Beading

Make wearable items, which incorporate UV-sensitive beads, to learn about the presence of this invisible light and the importance of wearing sunscreen!

Bean Sprout Viewer

Learn about the parts and life cycle of plants! Children will construct a planter that allows them to see the seeds as they sprout!

July: Go, Go, Go Boxes

With families traveling all over the city, state and beyond for summer vacation and adventures, July’s Outside the Box programming focus is all about transportation and movement! Children can rev up their imaginative engines and explore various crafts and activities. Highlighted programming during July includes:

Cardboard Box Car

Children will learn about the different sources of energy vehicles can use to move around – from springs to sails – as they construct their own contraption!

Rubber band Scale

Measure the force of gravity and other things that pull by making a personalized scale!

Up, Wind!

Learn about different types of kites and other things that move through the air. Children can even make their own items to take flight!

August: Box Masters

Young artists and architects can create their own masterpieces using boxes! With creative activities and colorful crafts, children can design an inventive and impressive work of art. Highlighted programming during August includes:

Strong Shapes

Learn about how bridges and building use strong shapes, including arches and triangles, to maintain their structure. Children will then use these skills to build their own strong structure!

Color-Mixing Binoculars

Use colorful gels and cardboard tubes to mix together different colors to change the way the world looks...and solve secret codes!

September: Bookmaking: Bind, Box, Behold!

During weekdays in September, families can get ready to hit the books! With engaging bookmaking activities and other innovative crafts, children can learn to read between the lines. They can also turn up the technology with robot-related activities and projects. Highlighted programming during September includes:

Grabby Robot Arm

Children can make a cardboard robot arm that they can control with the pull of a string!

Gear Heads!

Families are invited to gear up for some tech fun! Children will learn how to make a robot head with gears that turn and more!