DuPage Children's Museum kicks off 30th anniversary year

To mark the milestone of turning 30, the DuPage Children's Museum is launching a yearlong celebration by going back to its beginnings.

The anniversary festivities begin with a Ramps and Rollers Party that pays tribute to the museum's first exhibit. Activities are planned 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. It's the first in a series of "Mission in Motion" events planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary year.

Ramps and Rollers was the museum's first exhibit when it was founded in 1987 by two early childhood educators from Hinsdale, Louise Beem and Dorothy Carpenter. The first two years, the museum was a wood-paneled station wagon that Beem and Carpenter drove to park districts, Scout troops, preschools, and other organizations to encourage children to engage with the portable exhibits. Ramps and Rollers, the first exhibit, was a collection of wooden troughs and blocks that children used to build ramps through which balls could be rolled.

Now 30 years later, Ramps and Rollers is one exhibit component that is part of the larger neighborhood Make It Move, which aims to make basic physics concepts irresistible. In Make It Move, visitors test, verify and expand their understanding of the energy of motion. What causes it? Can it be altered? Visitors are encouraged to roll, bounce, slide and spin objects to discover the answers. As visitors experience kinetic energy, they're drawn into finding out exactly which factors create change.

Ramps and Rollers is still an important exhibit and remains a favorite among visitors. The exhibit provides children the opportunity to use critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills through open-ended play. These are important cognitive skills to continue to nourish into adulthood, said Alix Tonsgard, an early learning specialist at the museum.

At the Ramps and Rollers Party, planned activities throughout the museum will relate back to the Ramps and Rollers exhibit, exploring the energy of motion. Visitors can enjoy a Scooter Obstacle Course, Giant Kerplunk, Imagination Playground, Light Table Ramps, Zip Tracks, Recycled Roller Coasters, Wheel Works of Art, Mini Coaster Rides and more.

Chicago Hoop Dancer Kelly Spring will give short performances at 11 a.m. and noon Saturday, with a "Hoop Jam" in between for children to test their skills and learn new hula hoop tricks. On Sunday, Chinese yo-yo artist Ryan Shi will give special performances at 1 and 2 p.m., with an opportunity for spectators to try their hand at yo-yoing.

After the weekend party opens the anniversary celebration, the museum will feature a "Third Week Throwback" in The Studio featuring a classic museum program from January to June.

The museum's official birthday is June 24, and there will be a birthday celebration the weekend of June 24 and 25 at the museum.

"Now in its 30th year, DuPage Children's Museum is a recognized national leader among children's museums. We welcome everyone to join us as we celebrate 30 years of 'Mission in Motion,' " said Sarah Orleans, museum president and CEO. "Our success would not be possible without the support and confidence in our mission that is held by so many for this Naperville landmark and Chicagoland institution."

For information, visit dupagechildrens.org.