'Move' exhibit encourages kids to climb, jump, skip

Kids are often told not to run, but they are encouraged to scamper about at Chicago Children's Museum's temporary exhibit “Move.”

The exhibit features bright-colored equipment designed by a brother and sister team that studied playgrounds to create elements that are durable but stimulating. The look of the space is constantly changing, as kids team up with each other, parents or museum staff to move around elements like green mounds, red stars covered in tubes and tall blue pillars, designing their own space to play in.

“Kids want to be able to move and manipulate,” said Katie Slivovsky, director of exhibit development. “That's where the real creativity and imagination comes in.”

The rules of “Move” are posted on a wall and include “Run, jump, leap, skip and hop;” “Fall down. Get up. Do it again;” and “Turn everything upside down.” Kids often make their own obstacle courses, having parents time them or just watch as they race through their creations.

“Move” first ran about two years ago, but returned this month with the addition of a 7-foot-tall tire tower. The tower incorporates two giant tractor tires and a few groups of three tires that kids can move around to incorporate into their play.

“It was very popular the first time around, and we thought we could enhance it,” Slivovsky said.

The exhibit is designed for kids up through age 10, but Slivovsky said she noticed older children weren't interested in using the playground components if they only saw younger kids there. While all ages have been playing on the tire tower, it's been especially popular with children ages 7 to 10, who clamber up and ring a bell or wave a flag at the top.

Some children just grab hold of the tires, while others use ropes attached to the structure.

“It has different ways up and different ways down,” Slivovsky said. “It's intuitive and obvious what to do, but it's challenging and there's an element of risk.”

The exhibit is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield as part of its mission to keep kids healthy. Slivovsky said she believes “Move” is more effective than museum exhibits on health that use informational graphics to encourage kids to exercise or eat healthier.

“Instead of reading about why health is important, we provide an opportunity to move your body,” Slivovsky said. “It's physical movement right here, but if it can inspire any movement beyond the museum visit, that's a bonus.”

While you're at the museum, check out the newest permanent addition, a modified skid steer loader. The small machine, used for digging or moving materials, was donated to the museum's “Skyline Exhibit” by the Wisconsin-based Case Construction Equipment. There are no moving parts, but kids seem to love sitting in the cab's operator seat and pretending to manipulate the loader.

“Move”

<b>Where: </b>Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 527-1000, <a href="http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org" target="_blank">chicagochildrensmuseum.org</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; through Jan. 16

<b>Admission: </b>$12; $11 for seniors; free from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays