Nurture Imagination
The Moody Family Children’s Museum at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas has reopened with a bold new vision: to nurture imagination and empower young children to be brave, curious and daring. The reimagined space encourages them to design, explore, and envision the future through hands-on play. It is a hall of wonder, a vibrant environment where anything goes and children are free to chart their own course. NorthernLight designed this transformative new space, resulting in a playful, colorful and larger-than-life environment where more than 180 interactive touchpoints invite open-ended discovery. Developed in close collaboration with the passionate team of the Perot Museum, the new museum offers a dynamic space where learning feels intuitive, creativity thrives and children naturally take the lead. We were honored to collaborate with Bruns, one of the best exhibit fabrication firms in the world. Their exceptional craftsmanship brought our vision to life. A big thank you also goes to Kiss the Frog, who developed the multimedia experiences, and Ata Tech, who handled the seamless hardware integration.
A larger-than-life environment
From the moment visitors step inside, the space invites freedom, creativity and hands-on learning. Each area is tailored to specific types of play and development. At the heart of the museum is the Imaginarium, a fully immersive digital world that responds to children’s movements, ideas and energy. It’s a dreamlike landscape where curiosity drives the experience and exploration leads to learning in intuitive, joyful ways. The Toddler Area offers a safe, sensory-rich environment for the youngest visitors. The Creative Makery invites children to design, build and problem-solve using real tools and open-ended challenges. Outside, an expanded play zone includes a programmable waterfall, natural climbing elements and space to run and explore. At NorthernLight we were honored to include in our design the Woven Wonders Climbing Structure. This vibrant installation by renowned artist Toshiko MacAdam blends art with physical play through a one-of-a-kind iconic playscape.
Designing the Children’s Museum of tomorrow
The renewed Children’s Museum is designed to ensure that its resources and experiences are more accessible, inclusive, and impactful than ever before. Instead of following fixed paths or rigid instructions, children are encouraged to explore freely and independently, fostering confidence and ownership in their learning journey. With minimal text and maximum opportunity for discovery, the space invites children to lead and caregivers to follow. It’s a bold reimagining of what a museum can be: not a place to be taught, but a place to grow, wonder and play.
Photos by John Smith, Kelly Alexander and NorthernLight.
Share this page
