Children’s Museum offering virtual experience for families at home to celebrate Earth Day
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is helping families celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day while in the comfort and safety of their own homes. According to the museum, the celebration was originally started to remind people to help preserve the planet and make it a safer place to live.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the museum to close its doors in March, but Becky Wolfe, director of school programs, says that just gave her and her colleagues an excuse to find creative ways to bring the experience to individual homes.
“We want kids to care about it and for us it’s just helping kids learn about the world around them and Earth Day is a really good chance for us to highlight how you can learn about the earth,” Wolfe said.
Their Museum at Home experience is giving people a chance to access a bundle of do-it-yourself, eco-friendly activities and experiments online. All of the activities are set up where kids and parents can find all the supplies they need in their living rooms or backyards.
Wolfe put together a demonstration on the importance of pollination by using cheese puffs or Cheetos. Other tutorials on the site include: how to build a bird-feeder with at-home supplies, and how to make art with local wildflowers. She says one benefit to adjusting to the new normal is that people will get to see more of the people on the staff as they share new programs and ideas on their website.
When asked what their motivation is for creating new experiences for people to enjoy while the pandemic keeps people home, Wolfe said, “Our mission is about family.”
Click here for more information on their Museum at Home experience.