We’re shouting it to the tree tops!  The new Out on a Limb—Adventures with Nature and Art exhibit is finally here. You’re invited to explore the great outdoors—inside, at the Children's Museum of Houston (CMH) from June 4 to Sept. 18, 2011. Out on a Limb creates an engaging and enchanting environment perfect for you to get-away and connect with nature. More than simply seeing the beauty of a tree, the exhibit encourages you to hear the sounds of the forest, use leaves to make beautiful art, and build big and little structures from bark and limbs.  It will “leaf“you wanting for more when it is time to go!

“We felt that it was important to bring an exhibit about discovering and appreciating the natural wonders found outdoors since it is not always obvious to parents how to engage children in nature play in a densely urban environment like Houston,” said Cathy Sprueill, the exhibit’s educator at the Children’s Museum of Houston.  “So we brought iconic nature play spaces, such as the tree house, which albeit impractical to build here, is nonetheless deeply memorable for many parents, and therefore makes a great place for parents and children to get started on thinking about exploring nature in their own backyard.”

The whimsical atmosphere of Out on a Limb is created in part by children’s nature-themed artwork that makes up the faux bark and leaf canopy of the centerpiece tree. The individual exhibits, Whirlwind, Light Play, Forest Jam and Gnome Home, further enhance the magical scenery and are tools to enhance exploration. Individual activities encourage you to experiment with light and shadow, patterns of leaves, music of the forest, and the effects of the changing seasons.  The exhibits also provide practice with the physical skills of climbing and balancing, which helps you develop self confidence in outdoor play.

Out on a Limb provides a unique space for unstructured play, where you can create a connection with nature on your own in a safe and controlled environment; for parents and caregivers, the exhibit represents an opportunity to reminisce about their own childhood experiences in the outdoors and to re-connect with nature exploration with their kids.

Inspired in particular by works from environmentalist Rachel Carson, philosopher Henry David Thoreau, and author Richard Louv, Out on a Limb’s distinctive design delivers on its promise to use natural artistic materials and full-sensory activities to nurture children’s inborn curiosity about and love for nature. It was created by Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.
 

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