Fun crosses cultures in new 'Mexico: Festival of Toys' exhibit
When the Chicago Mexican Consulate began planning a citywide celebration of the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican revolution, one of the first cultural institutions it approached was the Chicago Children's Museum.
Now after two years of negotiations and searching for financing, more than 600 toys from Mexico City's Papalote Children's Museum are on display at the "Mexico: Festival of Toys" exhibit, which runs through March 13.
"These toys really represent a lot of what we are in Mexico," said Papalote Executive Director Marinela Servitje de Lerdo de Tejada. "They speak about our festivities, our culture and our everyday life."
The toys date from the 1920s to today and include handmade dolls, puppets, marionettes, puzzles, games, musical instruments and animals. The collection is displayed in two galleries and teaches visitors about generations of Mexican tradition.
One display is devoted to bull fighting with masks from Guanajuato representing different characters along with dolls and matador marionettes. Another display showcases fairs and festivals, including a metallic marching band and a wooden circus complete with acrobats and clowns. Christmas is represented with a nativity scene and skeletons of all sizes are used to teach about Dia de los Muertes or Day of the Dead.
Other toys provide an idea of what day-to-day life is like. One case contains tiny miniatures of furniture, glasses, pottery and kitchen sets. Another includes highly detailed displays showing people working in a basket shop and a restaurant.
The exhibit also includes plenty of hands-on activities. Bins are filled with wooden animals, people and plants along with pieces of fabric that can be arranged on the ground or on a multitiered landscape. Oversized fabric books have information on different toys and games, including how they are made and how to play them.
"We were inspired to create a number of playscapes with objects from the collection and some that we have selected to inspire the kinds of play that we believe children will want to do," said Jennifer Farrington, Chicago Children's Museum president and CEO.
The upstairs section offers even more opportunities for kids of all ages to play. The Rattle-rama area is dedicated to toddlers and infants and consists of a carpeted and pillow-strewn space where the youngest visitors can play with maracas, rain sticks and other noise makers.
A toy workshop lets children use tape, markers, pencils, fabric, paper and other materials to make their own toys to take home. There's also a puppet theater where kids can put on a show using puppets of animals, people and scenery.
The museum will host plenty of events surrounding the exhibit.
• From 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, visitors can learn about toys and games from around the world and the cultures that use them.
• Passport to Mexico, will be Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 14-16, and will include workshops, activities and performances celebrating the history and traditions of Chicago's Mexican community.
• On Thursday, Oct 21, visitors can enjoy a Day of the Dead celebration from 5 to 8 p.m.
<p class="factboxtext12col">Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., (312) 527-1000; chicagochildrensmuseum.org</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through March 13</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Admission: $10; $9 for seniors; free 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays</p>