by Brittney Steimle

Created on: September 05, 2009   Last Updated: September 06, 2009

The Arizona Museum for Youth is a fantastic combination of hands-on activities and visually pleasing exhibits that appeal to all ages. The museum is separated into three sections. There is a section called Artville for children ages four years and younger that has mini rooms full of child-sized fun. There is a play kitchen filled with dishes and food where kids can whip up pretend culinary masterpieces and then serve them at the table to their friends. Another area has child-sized chairs and a mini couch where children can rest their little legs and curl up with picture books. There is also a doll house where children can set-up house using wooden furniture and dolls to help further their imaginations. Another room in the play area is a garden where the children can harvest corn and carrots and pick plastic fruits off of a felt tree. There is also a slide and area for role play. A separate section in the center of the room is for children who are under the age of two to play in.

The is an Art studio where children can be introduced to a variety of art mediums. There are easels where children can draw with chalk on a chalkboard or use markers on a dry erase board. There are markers, colored pencils, and crayons and tables covered with butcher paper where the children can sit down and create their own special picture. Picture frames line the walls providing an opportunity for the kids to display their own personal art work. There are also art specific picture books and child-sized chairs in this section as well.

The exhibit section of the Arizona Youth Museum changes every couple of months. The current theme at the museum is My Favorite Monster. There are sculptures and paintings that local artists have contributed to the museum as well as hands on exhibits. Your child can build a large stuffed dinosaur or create a monster hand-puppet and then put on their very own puppet show. Another area provides a place to draw their own monster. Another room has Muppet-type puppets that the children can play with. Happy monster faces are drawn on the walls and everything glows in blacklight.

This is a museum that is well worth the admission price of $6.50 for anyone over the age of 1. My children enjoy our frequent visits to the Arizona Youth Museum. It never grows old because the exhibits are constantly changing.

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