Category Archives: Museums
Mind Tricks & More Fun at the Museum of Illusions
When the Museum of Illusions opened at CityCenter DC back in December, I thought it was just a quick pop-up, a temporary experience that would only be here through the holiday season, so I didn’t make it a huge priority to go. I’ve since learned that it’s here indefinitely, so when my friend Jen from Kid Up and Go asked me to join her on a visit recently, I was excited to check it out.
Who’s big, who’s little?
The museum calls itself an “edutainment destination” and fittingly so. The many installations and exhibits throughout the multi-room space trick and test the mind in ways that are fun and illuminating. Not only are the illusions cool to see and interact with, they play with perspective, sometimes require problem solving, and spark curiosity about how they work. And you can learn all about them from signs with explanations and staff who are on hand to answer any questions.
Moving pictures?
Everything in the museum is interactive in some way, whether you’re staring at pictures to watch them “move,” standing within an exhibit to feel its effects, solving some kind of puzzle, or placing yourself just so to create an illusional scene. There are purely visual exhibits, elements that require hands-on activity, whole immersive rooms, and fun optical illusion photo ops. The images in this post offer a glimpse, but there are so many more!
Just hangin’ in the Metro
It’s completely engaging, and you can explore it all as slowly or quickly as you like, though the museum’s website says visits last about 45-60 minutes. We spent about an hour in the museum, and that was enough time to check out everything there.
A kaleidoscope of… me 😃
Unlike many DC museums, there is an admission fee for ages 5 and up to visit the Museum of Illusions. But if you’re looking for something unique and fun to do, this mind-bending experience is a good bet.
Wonder what they’re holding 😉
Museum of Illusions
Where: 927 H Street NW | CityCenter DC
When: Sun–Thurs, 10am – 8pm | Fri & Sat, 10am – 9pm
Admission: $23.50/13+, $18.95/age 5-12, free/4 & under
Puzzles…to try and to buy
Super Stamps and the Season of Giving at the National Postal Museum this Saturday!
At this time of year, there are so many family activities featuring twinkling lights, holiday treats, and more ways to indulge in the season. This weekend, the National Postal Museum is hosting a holiday event that’s a little different, one that focuses on giving back. On Saturday, December 3, join them for Super Stamps and the Season of Giving, a day of performances and hands-on activities that explore the themes of community action and caring for others.
From 11am – 4pm, there will be a variety of activities for all ages throughout the museum, plus live musical performances by Milkshake Duo!
- Design Your Own Semipostal Stamp: Use stamp templates and drawing materials to design a semipostal stamp supporting a cause of their choosing.
- Museum Challenge: Find examples of kindness and caring in the museum
- Semipostal Mosaics: Help complete large mosaics of the four featured semipostal designs.
- See Me at the Smithsonian Art Activity from the National Portrait Gallery.
- Kindness Counts activity from the National Museum of American History.
- Creature Conservation Connections: Creative activities from the National Zoo.
- Focus on STEM: Smithsonian Science Education Center will lead activities that highlight changing the world through STEM.
- Marine Animal Conservation activity from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
- Greetings of Gratitude: Card-making to send messages of support and gratitude to deployed military service members.
- National Guard : Explore the history of major National Guard units and how they have served communities.
Check out the full day’s schedule here. And plan to join the National Postal Museum for this all-ages event and learn more about how you can help support positive social change during the season of giving! Read more about the wonderful museum in this KFDC post and this one.
Super Stamps and the Season of Giving
Where: National Postal Museum | 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
When: Saturday, December 3, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This post is sponsored by the National Postal Museum, however, I only promote programs, events, and places that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.
Music & Stamps Family Day at the National Postal Museum this Saturday!
Save the date for this coming Saturday, August 6! The National Postal Museum is hosting its first in-person Family Day in over two years — and if it’s anything like its pre-pandemic events, it’s sure to be a festive, well organized, and super fun time.
The United States Postal Service recently issued a series of five postage stamps depicting mariachi musicians. Designed by the Postal Museum’s Guest Artist, Rafael Lopez, the stamps joyfully celebrate the vibrant colors and sounds of mariachi music and Mexican culture.
This weekend, you can join Rafael for Music & Stamps Family Day, a celebration of Latinx music and the new mariachi stamps. He’ll be at the museum leading visitors through stories, musical performances, crafts, and games.
Keeping visitor comfort in mind, a Take-A-Break space will be available throughout the program for anyone who needs to step away from the festivities. And, of course, the rest of the museum is fantastic to explore — I’ve always recommended it as an especially great one with young children.
Music & Stamps Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum | 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, DC
When: Saturday, August 6, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This post is sponsored by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, however, I only promote events, programs, and places that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.
A Virtual Program for Kids on Diversity Awareness with Guest Artist Rafael Lopez & Guest Author Sonia Sotomayor
What does disability mean? Do you or does someone you know have a specific disability? Guest Artist Rafael Lopez will lead elementary school students in a virtual program that discusses the history of disability representation on US postage stamps. From Albert Einstein to Lou Gehrig, children will learn more about the many individuals with disabilities that have been honored on a commemorative stamp, as well as the ways—both positive and negative—disabilities have been portrayed by the United States Postal Service. Participants will get to discuss with Rafael and the author of Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, Sonia Sotomayor, what their personal experiences with disabilities have been.
This post is paid for by the National Postal Museum, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think would appeal to KFDC readers.
Filed under 2022, All ages, Museums, Virtual Programs
