KidScape at the Johnson County Museum

Name: KidScape at the Johnson County Museum
Item: Johnson County Museum
Author: Kristina Light

April 21, 2023

8:00 a.m.

My children have grown up enjoying KidScape at the Johnson County Museum, first at its original location in Shawnee, and now at the new location on Metcalf.

The Johnson County Museum is known for their award-winning long-term exhibits featuring local history, including the beloved 1950s electric house and displays remembering local businesses, as well as changing exhibits, the museum is a great place to spend a day.

However, for children, the best feature of the museum is KidScape where they can play and imagine they are all grown up in a pint-sized interactive village.

For children, KidScape is the FAVORITE attraction at the museum (and it is THE reason our family had a membership for many years - this is a GREAT place for children to play, especially when the weather isn't great outside). KidScape is a fantastic child-sized village where little ones may experience imaginative play in a clean, safe environment. I recommend KidScape for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-aged children. The facility is ideally all housed in one large open room with one set of doors, making it easy for parents to keep an eye on their children while they explore the space.

Recently, the museum added a new Trolley play space to KidScape and we went to see it.

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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KidScape is all about imaginative play. With delightfully interactive exhibits depicting "adult life" kids are able to pretend they run a diner, work in a hospital, ride aboard a trolley, shop at the City Market, or live as pioneers in a log cabin. The new trolley features a ticket station where children buy tickets and board the trolley for an imaginary ride.

The interactive displays are colorful and educational:

Kristina Light

Johnson County Museum KidScape

The girls loved pretending to shop at the City Market:

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

All of the children enjoyed pretending in the hospital:

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

They enjoyed a pretend lunch in the diner:

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

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Johnson County Museum KidScape photos by Kristina Light

The youngest children love the train set: