DuPage Children's Museum offers launching pad for kids imaginations

A two-story tower inside "The Play's The Thing" exhibit at the DuPage Children's Museum has functioned as a treehouse, a cat's lair and other spaces imagined by young visitors.

But when the Naperville museum reopens at 9 a.m. today after a two-week break for cleaning, museum staff say the tower - and the exhibit itself - will have a dramatically different look: Asteroids on the floor. Shooting stars on the walls. Outer space.

"We're adding a new rocket ship and control station so that imaginations can use that to take off," said Alison Segebarth, director of marketing and membership.

The changes will allow new opportunities for pretend play in the exhibit, which opened last September and gives kids an interdisciplinary experience in art and self-expression, Segebarth said.

Museum staff did not come up with the outer space theme, but instead relied on the museum's main patrons - children - for the idea.

"If you don't come from what they connect with, they won't be interested," said Marcia MacRae, arts specialist for the museum, who developed the new theme, dubbed "The Play's The Thing: Act II." "It was just overwhelming how taken kids are with outer space."

The exhibit also includes a stage and a puppet set for children to take their pretend play to an audience of parents and visitors. Costumes and props, including helmets and armor, can turn into astronaut suits, knight's armor, robot gear or part of a football uniform, Segebarth said.

"Different props in the hands of a kid can become dramatically different, so we want those changes to be made here," Segebarth said.

The design of the mission control center also maximizes children's potential to create their own worlds, said Dave Dumford, a museum volunteer who helped build the space-themed exhibit. About 40 buttons and knobs in the control center twist and turn, but do not light up or make any sound, he said.

"The kids have to use their imagination," Dumford said.

Pretending to be an astronaut or rocket scientist is a good way for kids to develop an interest in science, MacRae said.

"To play with science careers is a very important part of thinking along those lines and having that be a part of life," MacRae said.

"The Play's The Thing: Act II" will be open the same hours as the museum and feature creative play and storytelling sessions lead by performing arts teachers.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>

<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Opening day of "The Play's The Thing: Act II" exhibit at the DuPage Children's Museum</p>

<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville</p>

<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free with museum admission of $8.50 for ages 1-59, $7.50 for seniors</p>

<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> The interactive play exhibit reopens with an outer space theme. It will be open regular museum hours with weekly storytelling and creative play sessions led by performing arts teachers</p>

<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 637-8000 </p>