Do you know a future astronaut? “Moon to Mars,” the traveling summer exhibit at Children’s Museum of Richmond, provides the perfect training ground for kids ages 0-8 who are already reaching for the stars.
Senior City Editor Robin (hey, that’s me) checked out the new exhibit, which is filled to the brim with opportunities for children to collaborate, problem solve, and use their imaginations to reach the final frontier.
What we tried:
I saw kids and caregivers create their own rockets and set them off toward the stars. Turning paper nosecones and fins into space-worthy vehicles was a cause for celebration. Following the launch, kids can take the controls in the Orion Spacecraft, land on the moon, and traverse its surface on a lunar rover.
The morning I visited, several young explorers leaped across the surface and kicked moon rocks on their way to the climbable moon base.
What not to miss:
Dressing up as an astronaut lets kids see it to be it — teaching them that anyone who dreams of the stars could make it there. Once outfitted, young explorers can play as they choose, whether that’s testing out pulleys on the moon base or hopping along the reduced gravity surface of the moon.
Hovering in orbit inside the model Orion Spacecraft — which will one day take the first woman and first person of color to the moon as part of the Artemis missions — kids and caregivers can appreciate the importance of teamwork and diversity.
What we’re still talking about:
The hands-on aspects of “Moon to Mars” are a high point. The excitement of a successful rocket launch, from construction to decoration to pulling the lever and watching it fly, shows the power of children learning through play.
How you can experience this:
Make plans to visit CMoR this summer, before the exhibit closes on Sunday, Aug. 13. Get tickets on the website or at the museum.
Things to know if you go:
- Experience: “Moon to Mars” traveling summer exhibit at Children’s Museum of Richmond
- Price: Included with admission — adults and children $9, $8 for ages 60+, $2 for Museums for All participants
- Website: Children’s Museum of Richmond
- Address: 2626 W. Broad St.
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Social: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube *
