There’s an old adage that goes, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” As adults, it’s easy to forget the wonders of childhood. Between work and countless other responsibilities, the idea of fun for its own sake becomes but a lovely notion, slowly receding into the foggiest reaches of our consciousness.
“They can harvest a crop in our farm and bring it to market. They can go outside and dip their toes in their pond, or dance around in our dancing waters. They can go say hi to ‘Mama,’ our animatronic dinosaur. They can go splash in our indoor water exhibit. They can climb to the clouds in our indoor prairie. The list goes on and on. There’s always a new experience right around the corner for them.”
It doesn’t take a scientific study (although many exist) to know that taking our lives too seriously can lead to heightened stress and general grumpiness, while allotting time for fun can spark creativity, fuel the imagination, and increase feelings of emotional well-being. This can be accomplished through activities like fishing, art projects, and any other enjoyable task where the value of the process isn’t defined solely by its result.
One way to increase the joy factor in our lives is simply to play. The Children’s Museum of South Dakota (CMSD) provides opportunities for children and adults alike to leave their cares at the door and lose themselves for an hour or two. Unlike other museums, the focus is on doing, and not just looking.
“We really want our museum to tell our guests who visit that this is their place to come and enjoy and explore in any way that they want to. Nothing is off-limits. Everything is hands-on,” explained CMSD executive director Kate Treiber. “They can harvest a crop in our farm and bring it to market. They can go outside and dip their toes in their pond, or dance around in our dancing waters. They can go say hi to ‘Mama,’ our animatronic dinosaur. They can go splash in our indoor water exhibit. They can climb to the clouds in our indoor prairie. The list goes on and on. There’s always a new experience right around the corner for them.”
CMSD director of marketing Randy Grimsley says the problem for many adults is a hesitation to play when children are present, or the misperception that play is only for children. That is where the museum’s Big Kid at Heart events come in. They’re an opportunity for grownups to drop their inhibitions and enjoy the museum with their peers. The museum has hosted three Big Kid at Heart nights in the past, with the next taking place Saturday, October 8. They are adults-only events featuring light appetizers, a cash bar, musical entertainment, and unrestricted access to the museum’s many interactive exhibits.
“It’s something completely different than going out to a bar or going out to a movie. It’s a night for grownups. This is a judgment free zone. They can just dive in in a different way than they probably would other times.”
“You don’t see these kinds of opportunities in the area that often,” said Grimsley. “It’s something completely different than going out to a bar or going out to a movie. It’s a night for grownups. This is a judgment free zone. They can just dive in in a different way than they probably would other times.”
Grimsley says it would be a perfect opportunity for a first date, to break down any pretense right out of the gate, but it would also be a beneficial event for couples, church groups, and even coworkers to experience together.
Treiber added, “The benefits are twofold. Play is child’s work. It’s how they learn about their world and communicate with others, but play shouldn’t end with childhood. Adults need playtime too. It takes us out of time. Maybe takes us away from that big decision we have, or helps us work through a stressful situation at work. It allows us to use our mind in more creative, pleasurable ways. It helps us create and bond with others, and so that’s just good for your soul.”
The evening’s music will be provided by Black Hills-based singer-songwriter Jami Lynn. Known for her seamless blend of folk, Americana, and jazz influences, Lynn’s playful Midwest-inspired songs will create an apt backdrop for the event.
The museum’s own Café Coteau will be catering. The cafe’s food,conceptualized by chef Pouran Borchardt, focuses on delicious, deceptively healthy recipes, utilizing fresh, local produce, with many of the herbs grown on site. The culinary experience, along with the museum’s unique philosophy, tends to leave an impact on visitors.
“She was from Pennsylvania and was here two years ago and talked about how much fun they had. She remembered that experience so specifically and was describing that to us. So she came back. We hear those stories on a regular basis.”
“I was in our cafe yesterday and a guest came up to Pouran and said, ‘I just wanted to say hi again,’” Treiber recalled. “She was from Pennsylvania and was here two years ago and talked about how much fun they had. She remembered that experience so specifically and was describing that to us. So she came back. We hear those stories on a regular basis.”
Big Kid at Heart is also an opportunity to give back to the museum, and make sure as many people as possible can enjoy the facility. A portion of the $30 admission goes to the museum’s Access Initiative, which will help improve access for children of all backgrounds and abilities. Because the more people who make time for play in their lives, the happier our lives will be.
“There’s a quote we use from Plato,” said Treiber. “‘You can discover more about a person from an hour of play than in a year of conversation.’”
For more info about the Children’s Museum of South Dakota or Big Kid at Heart Night with the Music of Jami Lynn, visit prairieplay.org or call (605) 692-6700. •
