Kids Thrive at Texarkana’s Discovery Place
Published Mar 16, 2009
The 12-foot sound wall at Discovery Place lets kids make their own music medleys.
Imagine the fun of being a 6-year-old and being allowed to dress up as a Tyrannosaurus Rex, then run around wild for 10 or 20 minutes.
Youngsters in the Ark-Tex Region don’t have to merely imagine such an enjoyable scenario because they can actually experience it at Discovery Place Children’s Museum.
The Texarkana attraction features a number of interactive exhibits geared toward students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
This museum is part of a network of seven museums and education centers that focus on making hands-on, interactive museum experiences more accessible to children and families, says Sammy Wacasey, archivist with the Discovery Place Children’s Museum. “Fun and education are what we strive to deliver,” he says.
Discovery Place offers a variety of permanent exhibits, including a 12-foot sound wall for children to create their own medley of music. There is also an old-fashioned 1920s kitchen that features items such as an icebox, stove and wringer washing machine.
In addition, a health exhibit allows kids to learn about sight, sound, touch and taste as well as the body’s internal organs and skeletal makeup. Children can also find out about dental health and proper nutrition, all while having fun.
“One of our most popular displays is Costume Theater, which allows children to don costumes and then stage their own play inside the theater,” Wacasey says. “There is an assortment of costumes, including dinosaurs, policeman, princess and clowns. All kids are happy at Costume Theater.”
Wacasey says other exhibits at Discovery Place include a post office geography area, a biology lab and an old-time hardware store.
“The post office geography area helps older children learn their states and capitals while mailing letters and learning how to address an envelope,” he says. “There is also a Tot’s Spot that has everything to keep very young children entertained. It contains a play area, puzzles, reading area and a grease board to practice ABCs and 123s.”
For 2009, the museum has a number of other events planned. For instance, in May it will welcome an interactive traveling exhibit with fun activities dealing with astronomy. In July, a mixture of summer programs will include art, crafts and history, while in November, the museum will host interactive science exhibits.
“Those exhibits will include how fabrics used in art can conduct electricity, and how origami can be connected with engineering,” Wacasey says. “We have a lot to offer here at Discovery Place, and kids learn a lot when they visit. But most importantly, they have fun while they are learning.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
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