Kids Run the City at INK
T
wo hours flew by as my 3-year-old son Sidney and his friend Westin explored INK Museum’s neighborhoodthemed exhibits. Hands-on experiences are everywhere, including a grocery store with kid-sized shopping carts, a fire truck, police car and police motorcycle to ride in and on, a dentist office with dental chair and play instruments, a stage with dress-up clothing, and a post office with play packages and stamps. The museum gives kids access to smallscale versions of the places they would find in their “neighborhood,” like a real city. A bank, a classroom, a beauty salon, a library, a diner, and more everyday spots make up the exhibit areas. Sidney enjoyed the train table most of all because of the cause-and-effect fun he could have. Sidney would press a button and the train would whirl. He would press another button and the crane would move around. Each button gave him control over a different item on the train table, and he loved creating action! Westin enjoyed visiting Buttercup,
If You Go Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) Museum 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville 770-536-1900; inkfun.org n Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. n Cost: Mon.-Sat., $8; Sun., $6
the model cow at the barn, and having a ride while saying, “Easy, girl!” Westin’s mom and I were both happy to be able to watch them from a distance because they could engage with the exhibits easily and independently, and they just moved on from one activity to the next when they wanted a change. Older kids would enjoy the exhibits in role playing mode, pretending to be bank tellers, grocery store clerks or doctors. On our way out, we visited the gift shop, which was stocked with toys and costumes for at-home play. Snacks are also
available for purchase. In a separate area, for a separate price, kids can paint their own pottery projects as a standalone activity, or as part of a birthday party. The boys didn’t want to leave, and they were so busy playing that they never even stopped to ask for a snack (very unusual!) We plan to visit again. – Ayanna Cato-Hawkins
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Family Fun Guide
January 2014 Atlanta Parent 89