The Magic House Reaches Funding Stage for Airport Project

Rally Saint Louis has announced a major funding drive to support The Magic House to create a hands-on learning exhibit at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Rally Saint Louis is the new social media crowd-sourcing platform that allows the public to vote and fund new ideas for St. Louis.

The Magic House would like to create a transportation-themed play space in Concourse C of the  Airport that will provide age-appropriate venues for dramatic play. Kids’ imaginations will soar as they go behind the scenes on planes, trains and automobiles, and try on the occupations that make them go. 

We are the experts at engaging children in hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem-solving skills.  For those of you that have visited, you know that we feature a wide variety of innovative learning environments that provide plentiful opportunities for role play.  This mode of play has a positive and powerful impact on children’s  development, promoting their physical, cognitive and social skills—all while having fun! 

But before we can make this play space at the Airport a reality, we need the community’s support to help us raise an additional $25,000 to cover costs for design and development.  Please visit Rally’s site here: http://www.rallystl.org/Ideas/Detail/4 and help pledge to make this a reality! 

Additional exhibit details:

In the airplane area, children will: 

o   Move through security and board a plane just their size.

o   Act as TSA agents and monitor screens as passengers and packages pass through security.

o   Become baggage handlers and use carts and conveyor belts to move luggage into the cargo hold.

o   Pretend to be the pilot and operate the cockpit to navigate the aircraft.

o   Be air traffic controllers and manage arriving and departing flights—then slide down the runway to guide a plane to its gate. 

o   Take on the job of flight attendant as they roll a beverage cart down the aisle.

In the train area, children will: 

o   Make-believe they are passengers as they arrive at the Metro station, choose a destination and read all about it.

o   Become the engineer and steer the commuter train down the tracks.

In the car area, children will:   

o   Manage the car rental counter and direct tourists to great St. Louis attractions.

o   Be the customer as they pick a car, truck or SUV and find their vehicle in the
parking lot.

o   Hop in the driver’s seat, buckle their seatbelts and explore St. Louis.

In the air, on the rails or on the road, the play area will offer an engaging, educational and child-friendly environment for families on the move.