You know that feeling when you want to go shopping but you feel like you should also entertain your kids? Problem solved.
After the success of last year’s Wizard of Oz exhibit, Easton Town Center, in partnership with COSI, has opened its latest free, family-friendly, exhibit. Billed as a “one of a kind experience,” there are 5 different themed rooms to check out.
I want to start with the good: it’s free!
We went on a Wednesday afternoon (thanks, snow day!) and it wasn’t crowded at all, we were able to walk right in and start interacting. The docent I spoke with said that they will be monitoring crowd control during busier times, and it’s possible that there will be a wait. The mirror room (pictured up there in the header) was by far the coolest part for me. Called “The Reflection Room,” there are wall-to-wall mirrors and even some on the ceiling. Definitely a cool perspective and very Insta-worthy.
Right across from the Reflection Room is the “Blue Block Room,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like.
The walls are blue and made from those foam-y building blocks that frequent COSI visitors are familiar with. There are plenty of the blocks in the room, and enough space for 2 or 3 families to participate simultaneously. This was the highlight for my kids for sure. They even got along. For like, 20 minutes. I said it was cool, not magic.
Walk farther into the exhibit and you’ll find the “White Room,” which is reminiscent of Yayoi Kusama’s traveling Infinity Mirrors exhibit, recently at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The room was once stark white, from the floors to the furniture and beyond. Visitors are given colorful stickers and invited to place them anywhere in the room. The kids of course liked this. I did, too. We tried rigging a complicated “double piggyback” in order to reach the ceiling, but in lieu of breaking bones, or the exhibit, we ended up abandoning that plan.
I will say, while we really enjoyed the experience, I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone destination.
What I mean is, while you can make the experience last as long as you choose, it is essentially 5 small rooms. Most people we encountered, especially those without children, were in and out in less than 10 minutes. Families lasted a little longer, but even my kids, who were pretty into it, were ready to go in under half an hour. For reference, they are 9, 6, & 2. But, did I mention, it’s free? Also, dangerously close to Legoland Discovery Center so be prepared to thwart those desires from your kids if you so choose.
The Rooms@Easton is open daily, now through May 19.
Hours are Monday-Thursday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday-Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm. More information on the exhibit can be found HERE. Located inside the Easton Station Building and just behind the AMC Ticket booth, you may as well stop by BibiBop, it is convenient, after all.