By Dijana Vajushi

As soon as you enter the KidsPlay Children’s Museum at 61 Main Street in Torrington, you can’t help but feel as though you’ve just entered a children’s wonderland. The museum operates over 11,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits where children ages one to 10 can practice pre-academic skills, build curiosity and explore through developmental play.

The idea is that children will be motivated to use analytical and reasoning powers to navigate and activate the exhibits themselves. This educational approach is based on the museum’s awareness of the way in which play motivates and enhances a child’s cognitive and social-emotional growth. From the area for creativity and artwork, to the block play station, to the music room and the reading and theater areas, there is so much for children to try.

Playing with blocks seems like such a simple activity, but it teaches children countless life skills, such as counting, sorting, measuring, problem solving, reasoning, collaborating, sharing, along with concentration, imagination and perseverance.

This is the only museum in Northwest Connecticut specifically dedicated to child-directed education. In addition to exhibits and daily programs, KidsPlay has experienced great success through collaborative programs with partner agencies. These agencies target the community’s most disadvantaged families and provide multigenerational learning experiences and unconventional access to public school and partner resources.

“Supporting the revitalization of Torrington’s Main Street through a children’s museum is visionary. The museum drives foot traffic downtown, contributes to the quality of life for families in the area and provides hands-on learning for our region’s future workforce,” says Eileen McDermott Marriott, director of the museum. She adds, “KidsPlay is also a place where caregivers feel supported and have an opportunity to connect with one another. Sometimes the connections are formed in a program or casually when their children play together within the exhibits. We also find that caregivers simply appreciate a welcoming smile at the front desk!”

KidsPlay Museum is a prime birthday party destination spot in Northwest Connecticut, and it is also a popular destination for teachers to bring their students on field trips and group outings.

There is much to see and do at KidsPlay, and it is especially enjoyable to watch the children as they focus on their activity while happily entertaining themselves. With the multiple benefits it offers, this is a marvelous and affordable place for the little ones in your life.

Admission is $8 per child and is good for the entire day. Families can leave to enjoy a meal at any of the nearby eateries and return for more fun. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. To find out holiday and school vacation hours, contact the museum at 860-618-7700, or kidsplaymuseum.org.

Photo by Bruce Frisch: Last year, KidsPlay Museum brought a traveling sample of its educational play stations to Norfolk for a demonstration.