Immersive children’s experience coming to Atlanta History Center

Credit: Courtesy Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center will unveil a children’s experience in its Goizueta Gallery in January 2025. 

The Goizueta Children’s Experience, a 5,000-square-foot immersive and interactive exhibition, will allow families to explore, play, and learn about history, culture, and innovation. The first theme, “Our Great Big City,” will celebrate the history, people, arts, and culture that define Atlanta.

“Our new children’s experience is more than just a play space—it’s a groundbreaking gateway to discovering Atlanta’s rich history in a way that sparks curiosity and invites families to connect, explore, and learn together,” said Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. “There is nothing like this in Atlanta, and we believe it is groundbreaking nationwide to have a permanent exhibition space that rotates its themes annually.”

Highlights of the Children’s Experience include:

• Time Machine Climber: Kids can ascend to new heights, control a time dial for sensory surprises, and explore history-themed games. The climber also includes an illuminated Dance Party Zone.
• Mini Fox Theatre: With ambient lighting and velvet drapery, the Mini Fox Theatre and Mighty Mo Organ create an intimate setting for storytelling and performance, encouraging kids to engage with the arts.
• The Varsity’s Silly Scent Station: This quirky station transports visitors back in time by mimicking the front seat dashboard of a 1930s car. As kids press dashboard buttons, diner-inspired scents waft from the car vents, offering an immersive experience reminiscent of Atlanta’s iconic drive-ins, like The Varsity.
• Tiny Toddler Town: Inspired by Atlanta’s vibrant neighborhoods, this area is designed for little explorers (ages 1-3). Surrounded by plush, skyline-inspired elements, the space offers a safe environment for crawling, playing, and exploration.
• Creator Hub: A vibrant space with hands-on activities perfect for school groups, young learners, and their caregivers. It encourages creativity and collaboration in an environment designed for imaginative expression.

The space is designedfor three main developmental groups: Crawlers and early walkers (1–3 years old), pre-K and kindergarten (4–5 years old), and first and second graders (6–8 years old). The bilingual approach ensures the experience is inclusive, catering to both English and Spanish-speaking guests.

“We aim to create a space that not only delights but educates, sparking wonder and curiosity in every child,” adds Shatavia Elder, Vice President of Education at Atlanta History Center. “Aligned with Georgia Standards for education, the Children’s Experience combines open-ended play with thoughtfully curated activities and evolving annual themes, ensuring each visit is not just fun but also meaningful. Our goal is to provide fresh, memorable moments that resonate with kids and adults alike, inspiring joy, learning, and a deeper connection to our shared history.”

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.