There is no greater magic than the joy that comes with sparking a child’s imagination. That sense of wonder and excitement is present around every corner of The Magic House as kids and families play and learn together every day. For more than four decades, the Kirkwood children’s museum has actively engaged children of all ages in their education through hands-on exhibits and activities that pique curiosity, enhance creativity and develop problem-solving skills.
The Magic House maintains its operations through fundraising and donations, and the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser, The Magic Ball: La Dolce Vita, is Sept. 29 at Stifel Theatre. The event is co-chaired by Stephanie Lee and Rebecca Sheehan, and the evening is themed after the museum’s newest cultural exhibit Ciao Bambini, which is opening in September. Lee says guests will be invited to celebrate “the sweet life” of Italian culture, including food, wine and entertainment such as opera singing and comedy from special guest Greg Warren.
The gala directly benefits the museum’s Access for All initiative, which provides free or reduced admission, field trips, outreach programs and family nights for children in need. As a former teacher herself, Lee recognizes the critical need for providing every child with opportunities to engage with learning through play. “Access for All makes visiting The Magic House possible for people who otherwise would not be able to afford it, such as children in foster care, military families and Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs,” she says. “One of the most wonderful things about The Magic House is it is truly for all children in the community—whether it’s by providing free field trips to Title I schools, offering special playtimes for kids with sensory needs or bringing traveling exhibits to local libraries.”
Currently, visitors to the museum can unravel the secrets of famous heroes of the past in Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit—created in partnership with the popular PBS Kids series. In September, guests will be invited to climb aboard the Mystery Machine for Scooby Doo! Mansion Mayhem, an immersive problem-solving experience centered around the beloved cartoon characters. Opening Sept. 23, Ciao Bambino will introduce families to the historical and cultural contributions of Italy. The exhibit is part of The Magic House’s World Traveler Gallery, which is designed to give kids a passport to the world by introducing them to different countries. Previous exhibits have shown a spotlight on the culture and daily lives of children living in Kenya, India, Argentina and China.
Lee notes that these special exhibits only scratch the surface of what The Magic House has to offer. Her own son enjoys visiting MADE for Kids, a 7,000-square-foot makerspace operated by the museum in the Academy-Sherman Park neighborhood. “So much of what The Magic House offers is about engaging children through their creativity,” she notes. “Whether it’s allowing kids who love Xavier Riddle to experience it in person or using hands-on activities to spark interest in STEM subjects, the museum recognizes the important role play has in learning.”
The Magic House engages children through unique, hands-on learning experiences. The Magic Ball: La Dolce Vita is Sept. 29 at Stifel Theatre. Pictured on the cover: Dr. Sunitha Thanjavuru, Rebecca Sheehan, Stephanie Lee, Maria Conley. For more information, call 314.822.8900 or visit magichouse.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Bill Barrett
Pictured at top: The Magic House engages kids creativity through hands-on learning.
Photo courtesy of The Magic House
