Discover Smith's Rotating Play-Stallations: Interactive Exhibits for Creative Play
Current Play-Stallation - Pattern Puzzle Play
Explore Play-Stallations at Smith
The Bodek Den, located on the first floor of the Playhouse, is home to rotating thematic Play-Stallations—immersive, hands-on exhibits that spark imagination, creativity, and exploration. These artist-designed installations encourage children to experiment, discover, and engage with their environment in exciting new ways.
Pattern Puzzle Play
Step into Pattern Puzzle Play, Smith’s newest Play-Stallation where children can explore the fun and creativity of patterns through hands-on activities. Match detailed patterns with animals and insects, design your own creations on a giant pool noodle pegboard, and experiment with color patterns using pom-poms, beads, sounds, and movement. Challenge a friend to a game of checkers on our giant checkerboard, try on costumes from around the world with unique patterns, or create your own quilt using colorful paper squares.
There are so many ways to play, explore, and create in this engaging new exhibit.
Pattern Puzzle Play is now open! Come discover the patterns all around us on the first floor of the Playhouse, located in the Bodek Den.
Play-Stallations are made possible by generous support from Vanguard Strong Start for Kids.
Can't get to Smith? We'll come to you!
Past Play-Stallations
Over the years, Smith has collaborated with artists, educators, and designers to create engaging Play-Stallations, each offering a unique play experience. Below is an abbreviated list of past Play-Stallations!
- 125 Years of Play, 2024 – Time travelers journeyed to the past to play with toys from 1899 when Smith opened its doors. Time sequencing games introduced the concept of past, present and future. Children could draw or build their own ideal playground or toy.
- Tree-Mendous Trees, 2024 – Visitors got lost in a cardboard forest of fun activities such as leaf-rubbings, a rice sensory table, and a woodland creatures tree-house.
- Art Smarts, 2024 - The playroom became a studio where kids painted and collaged, sculpted and composed, all while learning about the masters.
- Nursery Rhymes and Story Time, 2023 - Old Smith Playhouse had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! And in that play-stallation kids drew Humpty Dumpty, tended to the animals in the barn and read about the Old Lady who lived in a Shoe in our very own GIANT shoe!
- La La Land, 2022 - Every kid was a star with a dressing room, a red carpet and a stage to perform on. Behind the scenes, kids made their own costumes or puppets for the shadow-puppet theater.
- Fortlandia, 2022- Building forts allowed kids to be creative and critical thinkers using cardboard, blankets and fort-building kits.
These installations provide children with opportunities to
climb, build, imagine, and experiment, reinforcing the importance of open-ended, creative play.
What's Next?
We’re always dreaming up new ways to inspire play! Stay tuned for upcoming Play-Stallations that bring art, movement, and discovery to Smith.
Want to Get Involved?
Are you an artist, educator, or community member with a passion for play? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Vivian Murray, Play-Stallation Manager at vivian@smithplayground.org to learn more about contributing to future Play-Stallations.
Come
play, explore, and experience the magic of learning through play at Smith!
Can’t get to Smith? We can come to you!
We are excited to extend Smith’s programming beyond the limits of our Playground and Playhouse. The new
Community Play-Stallation Bus brings safe, free, and accessible opportunities to play and learn to communities, festivals, schools, and early learning centers.
