Creativity

Explore some of the hundreds of Jewish designers and entrepreneurs who helped shape the Western toy, game, and pinball industries, and the U.S. and Japanese video game business.

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May 6, 2026

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, enjoy a special exhibit—Playful Patriotic—and explore American history through the lens of play.

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April 30, 2026

Learn to take care of yourself, each other, and the Earth with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang when Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit.

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April 13, 2026

Challenge friends and family to race giant marbles on a 350-ft track, complete with obstacles and pitfalls and a massive whirlpool.

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November 13, 2025

Explore the cultural importance of the beloved Hello Kitty character at Hello Cutie: Our Favorite Kitty, a new exhibit open on the museum’s second floor.

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February 20, 2025

Learn about the pivotal role that Black designers have played in diversifying toy aisles in Black Doll Designers, open on the museum’s first floor (near The Strong Express Train).
Explore the history of toy companies founded to promote representation—such as B. Wright Toy Company, Olmec Toys, and Shindana Toys—and view key doll examples, such as:

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February 12, 2024

Invent, construct, and create in The Strong’s 800-square-foot Play Lab on the museum’s first floor (near the Field of Play exhibit). Unlock the educational power of play and enter a playful maker space with daily programming based around monthly themes.
Every month be introduced to a new topic of inquiry such as printmaking, sound, and circuitry. Gain scaffolding assistance from museum staff and guest creators. Experiment with related tools and equipment such as looms, saws, and Oculus. Take time to create, […]

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March 29, 2022

Experience the cutting-edge Toy Halls of Fame exhibit and go hands-on with iconic toys beloved by generations—and the people who changed how we play. Displays featuring The Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame inductees pair with displays highlighting toy industry luminaries recognized by the Toy Association’s Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
National Toy Hall of Fame

Climb the dramatic exhibit staircase and view a gallery of 21 portraits of classic toys, some that move and interact with guests in humorous ways.
Marvel at a […]

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September 13, 2021

The magic of literature comes to life in Reading Adventureland at The Strong museum. The artifact-rich, life-size pop-up book invites guests to laugh, play, learn, and read!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road into five literary landscapes inspired by children’s books.
Each area is a complete and fully-engaging environment in its own right and includes related books that can be read on site or checked out at the museum’s Grada Hopeman Gelser Library self-checkout kiosk, a mini-branch of the Rochester Public Library System.
And […]

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August 11, 2021

Let your imagination soar! Be an astronaut, rescue pilot, construction worker, actor, and more in The Strong’s original, permanent Imagination Destination exhibit. Role-play in inspiring spaces bursting with physical challenges, such as a rescue helicopter, construction site, rocket ship, and theater.

Jump into the captain’s chair and take command of the bridge on the U.S.S. Strong—a futuristic spaceship replete with lights and sounds reminiscent of favorite science-fiction movies.
Climb into the cockpit of an emergency helicopter with working controls and set off […]

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August 11, 2021

In The Strong’s Field of Play exhibit senses are delighted by interactive and creative-play activities, and hundreds of fascinating artifacts that illustrate the six major elements of play: anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, strength, and poise.
Start with a three-screen multimedia presentation about the importance of play in human learning and creativity, then go hands-on in this one-of-a-kind play laboratory.

Walk through a giant kaleidoscope and create and view your own kaleidoscope patterns.
Use pulleys to power a gigantic overhead ball machine.
“Drive” a drag […]

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August 10, 2021

Step into the world’s most famous neighborhood at The Strong museum. Travel through five delightful decades of the iconic Sesame Street children’s television series. Dozens of interactive components invite families to explore concepts about letters, words, numbers, inclusion, and diversity.

Say hello to Big Bird and sit on the famous 123 Sesame Street stoop.
Visit with Elmo, Dorothy, and Mr. Noodle in the crayon-colored Elmo’s World and make your television debut with Abby Cadabby.
Cook a meal in the Cookie Monster Foodie Truck.
Use the payphone to call your favorite character.
Read a […]

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August 10, 2021