Southwest Louisiana children can enjoy exhibits, both classic and reimagined, from the Children’s Museum of SWLA at the interactive Pop-Up Playtime installation at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center.

Kari Casey, Children’s Museum of SWLA Director of Outreach and Programming, said that this exhibition aims to bring the beloved attractions and activities of the Children’s Museum to the area while they wait for Port Wonder – a lakefront development that will house the new Children’s Museum of SWLA- to be completed.

This endeavor was made possible through those at the Historic City Hall. After learning of an open space on the first floor of the museum, Casey and Amanda Donaldson, Creative Specialist at the Historic City Hall, believed it was prime time for partnership.

“Historic City Hall has been so wonderful to us in the past couple years, really giving us a space to be the Children’s Museum again,” said Casey. “This is a way for the Children’s Museum to get back out there and remind people that we are still here.”

The exhibition features installations that rotate every couple of weeks. These installments live up to the Children’s Museum’s motto, “Learning through play” through interactive activities and educational programming.

“We’re really trying with each rotation to have some programming to go with it,” she said “At the Children’s Museum, we want to play and make believe, but with a purpose.”

While Casey is at the museum when she can, the installments are set up for independent play.

The pop-up opened on Friday, February 17 with “Celebrate Mardi Gras.” The children were able to create Mardi Gras themed crafts, dress up and learn about local traditions.

Currently, “Sunny’s Market and Healthy Choices” is the theme of Pop-Up Playtime. Children will learn the importance of healthy eating, make fun crafts out of recycled items and play in Sunny’s Market.

On the opening day of “Sunny’s Market,” the nutrition department from the Calcasieu Parish School Board came out to host games to teach children about healthy eating.

From March 7 to March 18, the theme will be “Our Pets and the Vet Clinic.” Guests will learn about a variety of animals and how to care for them in the Children’s Museum Vet Clinic.

“Inclusion Rocks” will be the theme from March 21 to April 1, where children will learn why and how to be inclusive in their day to day lives by taking on daily tasks with an added challenge to simulate. Through these activities, the children will better understand the daily lives of those with disabilities.

April 4-15, Pop-Up Playtime will feature “Musical Fun.” Visitors will learn about the importance of music, as well as the local music scene. They will also have the opportunity to get some hands-on experience through a partnership with the Lake Charles Symphony.

The museum will continue to host events to serve the children of SWLA. This summer, they will be hosting two summer camps: An art camp at the Historic City Hall and a STEM camp at Riverside Park. Dates for the camps will be announced soon.

Additionally, they are partnering with Phillips 66 for their family day in June, and will be partnering with Paul’s Rib Shack every few months to host kid’s nights.

“Y’all will see us around… it’s so important that we continue to serve the kids of Southwest Louisiana.”