Interactive Displays for Kids
The Hattiesburg Zoo in MS is a kids zoo, and as such we integrated fun, interactive displays for kids when we designed the Asbury Discovery Center space. This room is used mostly for events and meetings filled with adults, but we wanted to make sure the space held and interest for kids, as well as adults. Along with many many objects and images to look at throughout the room, there are three 'Curio Cabinets' along the back wall that draw visitors into the room to peer through the glass into the displays.
As adults may be drawn to the displays within the shelves of these cabinets, those of a shorter stature will discover there are interesting things to be seen at their level as well!
A small shadow box hides in the lower level of this cabinet, easily accessed by the zoo staff to change out the display when needed and gives the most important visitors something to discover.
All closed up, the display is safe behind an acrylic panel, and locked so it is only accessible to zoo staff. The door with a large latch is great for interactive kid fun, as they can open and close the latched door, and discover the treasures within.
On one end of the room, an attractive gear display is hung below the flat screens. The screens are used for presentations and information display during adult events, but the gears are what the kids really care about.
Three handles allow three kids to spin the gears at a time. And at different height levels, all the ages that can walk can reach a spinning wheel.
Watching the gears mesh together and seeing the relation between spinning the wheel and getting the gears to spin, hopefully gets some gears spinning in those little heads!
Great thought and care was take in the design and assembly of the interactive displays. Assuring they were easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and fit with the design of the space.
Here, details are checked over by our staff, testing the final piece before it is shipped to the site.
The outside of the Asbury Discovery Center building has an interactive gear wall for those who are a bit taller, hinting to what might be found inside!
