If you visit Columbus in Indiana and don’t visit Kids Commons Museum, then you’re missing on something for sure. Situated in the very famous main street, the ‘Washington Street’, in downtown Columbus, this museum is all about encouraging creativity and learning in an enjoyable and fun filled environment.
Built in three floors, this museum offers activities for the children from infants through age 14. Plus, grown ups also enjoy a lot here. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Saturday and on Sunday, from 1 pm to 5pm. In summer, it’s open even on Monday as well.
Founded in 1998, facilitated and designed by Louis Joyner, the museum was inaugurated on October 1st, 2005. Former KidsCommons executive director Cheryl Buffo said, “KidsCommons is a celebration and exploration of culture and diversity and a place for lifelong learning.” Let’s go on a round to the KidsCommons Museum.
The abstracted figures of three children climbing the building constitute a catchy entrance of this museum. The 17 feet tall climbing wall is one of the enticements.’ Our House’ shows the different traditions, lifestyles and cultures of various countries. Early Childhood Garden exhibits wildlife of Indiana. There is a creek lab which has a replica of a creek, and an aquarium filled with fish found in Indiana. ‘Kids -At-Art’ is a good opportunity for the kids to bring out their creativity. ‘Kids on the Move’ gives education about exercise and healthy diet. Tour de KidsCommons, Tug-O-War, Light Space Play Wall, Dance! Dance! Dance!, Hoop It Up! are some games to make kids get moving. Storytelling Kiosk lets you put your image in some story. ‘Table Top Interactive’ teach kids science with the help of toys.
In the ‘State-of-the-art’ in power outlet, there is a computer tech lab designed by kids, for kids. They can create and save video clippings and music there. There are other fascinating areas like Art creation center, early childhood garden, child sized house, kid sized entrance door, wooden blocks sculpture, Bubble Room, game area, smash ball, a fireman's boot, car muffler, corncobs, hard hat, a skeleton's foot, energy lab, a big book in toddler area, dress up area, electric train and much more.
The most talked about is the ‘Explora House’ and the giant Toilet there. You have to get in it and it makes the sound like flush. You go down into a pipe as it flushes and crawl through a maze which has plumbing exhibits. Explora House also teaches kids many science topics like human body, electricity, volcanoes, recycling, earthquakes etc. Apart from this, many special events, camps, education programs are arranged by this museum throughout the year.
Annual turnover of this museum is 120,000 (people). And adding to this, the museum always gets funds from local foundations like Bartholomew County Historical Society, National Endowment for the Humanities and also other organizations and people. This is a must visit museum which gives us a message that kids can be taught in an easier and more enjoyable way! We actually can make them fall in love with their studies.
