Part 3 of the Children's Museum Series. (Reprinted from "The Switch to Children's Creativity.")

Apple, Google, Yahoo, Facebook. The Bay Area in the U.S. has given rise to countless IT companies. Among them is the “Children’s Creativity Museum.” It’s an interactive art and technology museum for children. Simply put, it’s a museum dedicated to digital creation.

A circular building in front of the merry-go-round. The walls of the spiral corridor leading upward are decorated with many creative works by the children, and just walking through it fills you with excitement.

Photo courtesy of the Children's Creativity Museum

This museum is dedicated to fostering the three “Cs” in children: Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication.
“The education needed for the 21st century is one that nurtures the ability to think critically, collaborate broadly, communicate effectively, and generate and create a multitude of solutions.”“The success of the next generation depends not only on what they know, but also on their ability to think and act creatively as global citizens.”

This museum consists entirely of studios and labs: an animation studio, a design studio, a music studio, an imagination studio, and an innovation studio. Based on the concept of “Imagine, Create, Share,”
every room provides an environment where children can engage in hands-on creation, and professional staff are on hand to support them in their creative endeavors.

　　　Photo courtesy of the Children's Creativity Museum

At the Imagination Lab, designed for children ages 2 and up, participants create things using various materials such as clay and blocks, and put on performances using puppets.In the Animation Studio, designed for children ages 6 and up, participants create stop-motion animations using clay and wire. They design characters, choose backgrounds, and produce a complete animation. They can take their finished animations home on a DVD or other medium to share with family and friends.

An innovation lab for children ages 3 and up. This room, stocked with a variety of craft materials, is a place where participants learn design thinking by inviting renowned Bay Area artists, game developers, engineers, and others. The challenge is to see what innovative creations can be made using only the items provided in the box.

This is another music studio for children ages 3 and up. At this studio, kids can wear their favorite costumes, choose their favorite songs, sing in front of a blue screen, and have the background digitally composited to create their very own music video. It’s just like being a star! At the end, they’ll burn the video onto a DVD for you.

　Photo courtesy of the Children's Creativity Museum

A design studio for children ages 6 and up. It’s a place to create graphic designs using Photoshop. When combined with other studios, you can create things like a cover album for a music video or a poster introducing clay animation. They’ll print your creations for you or send them via email. They also host programming workshops where you can create games.
There are also rooms dedicated to music and storytelling for children ages 5 and under.
It’s no wonder—this is a museum in the Bay Area. I’ve visited children’s museums in over 10 countries, but this is the first time I’ve encountered a museum so focused on digital technology and hands-on creation.
I wonder if the children who grow up in this museum will become the next Steve Jobs.

　Photo courtesy of the Children's Creativity Museum