Discover Smith's Rotating Play-Stallations: Interactive Exhibits for Creative Play

Current Play-Stallation - We The Heroes!

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.

"We The Heroes!"

Step into "We the Heroes!" Smith's newest interactive Play-Stallation celebrating America's 250th birthday through creativity, imagination, and play. Inspired by the people who helped shape our nation, this hands-on exhibit encourages children to discover the hero within themselves through kindness, leadership, and community.


Children can sign their own "Declaration of Independence," design superhero masks, build and "fly" over a city skyline, cast a ballot in a kid-friendly voting booth, create signs supporting causes they care about, and enjoy comic book-inspired art activities. Every experience encourages self-expression, creativity, and confidence while showing that anyone can make a positive difference.


There are countless ways to imagine, create, and explore in this exciting new exhibit.


"We the Heroes!" is now open! Visit the Bodek Den on the first floor of the Playhouse and discover how every child has the power to be a hero.


Play-Stallations are made possible by generous support from Vanguard Strong Start for Kids.

Colorful “Play is Fun!” sign above shelves of patterned balls in a play area

Can't get to Smith? We'll come to you!

Play-Stallation Bus

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.

Bright indoor playroom with blue foam play set, tables by windows, and wooden floors
Two children sit beside a large wooden toy city built from blocks and cardboard in a room.
Indoor room with wooden tree sculpture, green chairs, and tall mirrors in a vintage-style space
Child pressing buttons on a colorful interactive wall display in a play area
Child painting at a table with art supplies in a living room by a fireplace
Bright hallway with colorful children’s activity boards and wall art in a museum or school setting
Child holding up a colorful painting indoors on a wooden floor
Children and an adult play with toys at a small indoor table in a cozy room
Indoor playroom with toy furniture, a red playhouse, and colorful mats under ceiling lights
Person standing on a colorful play mat in a cozy room with windows, chairs, and toys.
Colorful hand-cut words spelling “GOLD,” “smash,” “bed,” and “TEN” on dark pavement
Two people assembling a cardboard box at a table in a room with craft supplies.
Woman sitting by purple table in a colorful classroom display labeled “La La Land”
Two children kneel on a carpet, opening cardboard boxes in a classroom-like room with shelves and artwork.
Two children in bright costumes posing under a white draped canopy indoors
Two children in colorful traditional outfits smiling and posing indoors on a wooden floor

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.

Learn More Here
Child smiling while sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, wearing a blue jacket and tan boots.