Making bubbles is always fun, even if you’re an adult, but imagine being able to do so as a kid again! Well, there is a museum in the center of Athens where kids can not only make bubbles, but also learn about themselves, their home lives and the community they are growing up in. At the Children's Museum of Athens, kids can play, discover and learn while still having fun!
In 1987, a nonprofit organization called “Hellenic Children Museum”, was founded by a group of young academics who had studied exhibits, programs and other educational works; this group wanted to help children understand and enjoy the world that we live in. In 1994, in collaboration with the Culture, Sports and Youth Organization of the City of Athens, they created the Children’s Museum of Athens in a neoclassical building where it operated until 2016. In 2017, the Children’s Museum of Athens opened in its new location at the Athens Conservatoire.
Its goal, as stated by the museum, is to help children from ages 0 to 12 “expand themselves so they can become citizens that will have gained a social consciousness with respect to their individuality and a sense of need to contribute to the community they live”. In this space, all children, families and schools are motivated to learn through play, and the exhibits rooms ensure they achieve this. Kids can explore the objects, use their senses, get into roles and assemble or dissemble objects. The 3D exhibits are designed to invoke curiosity and make kids understand the process of learning.
The themes of the exhibits pertain to body and emotions, everyday life (such as the home), neighborhood and community life, technology, math and physics, history, archaeology and art, cultural diversity, environment and ecology, social issues, myths and fairy tales and theater and drama. Specifically, through the “Market”, they can become sellers or customers. In “Build and Create” they have the chance to construct simple buildings. Kids cook and experiment with ingredients in “Kitchen”. While one of the most fascinating exhibits, “In the water,” lets kids make colorful bubbles and try experiments with water.
The museum designed educational programs for itself, schools and other institutes all over Greece via outreach programs. Through these programs, kids are encouraged to express themselves, make decisions and solve problems. This helps kids learn how to overcome challenges and become active and responsible citizens.
Because of its interesting hands-on exhibits engaging programs, the Children’s Museum of Athens is it a must for kids to visit. The new location created further possibilities, opportunities and, of course, a lot of play for our younger friends!
