Barbie™ joins The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to encourage kids to play out their dreams by exploring things they like, such as creating, nurturing, solving problems, leading and being adventurous. They will then learn which professions fit those skill sets. As the original female empowerment brand, Barbie was created to show girls they have choices and this exhibit will help them explore the possibilities.
Barbie™ You Can Be Anything™: The Experience, opens August 1, 2020 and will remain open until the spring of 2021. “Barbie dolls encourage the kind of imaginative play that teaches us that no matter our gender, ethnicity, or background, we can make the world a better place by doing work that excites us, challenges us, and brings us fulfillment,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
What could be more inspiring than real-life female role models such as Amelia Earhart (aviation pioneer), Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician & physicist), Laurie Hernandez (Olympic gymnast) and two of the newest doll releases—Florence Nightingale (pioneer of modern nursing) and Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer)? In this career inspiring experience, children and their parents and grandparents will see images of the real-life women alongside the real life role model backgrounds that led them to success and the Barbie™ dolls that represent them. Visitors of all generations can use this opportunity to talk about the struggles and accomplishments of these memorable women as well as their own life experiences and then role play with Barbie™.
Barbie has had more than 200 jobs over the last 60 years and this exhibit will be a good opportunity for children to discover her diversity as well as what role type best fits their own interests in pursuing a career.
Those who are adventurous will explore careers that Barbie has had including surfer, rock climber and wildlife photographer. Those who aspire to be a leader will learn what it takes to be a president, a pilot and film director. Creative kids can mix it up with Barbie the chef, fashion designer and artist. Little ones who are natural nurturers can pretend to be beekeepers and care for the hive, veterinarians who take care of large animals or doctors who help people who are sick. Good problem solvers experience building, coding and repairing that construction workers, archaeologists, and robot coders might. Visitors are invited to take their pictures inside a Barbie box. Type the name of the person in and click on the career for a customized photo opp.
The woman who started it all—Barbie creator Ruth Handler is an inspiration herself. Learn more about the woman and what inspired her through the years including one of Handler’s most notable quotes: “My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
This is the fourth time that The Children’s Museum has partnered with Mattel. The first Barbie exhibit – was so successful that the exhibit was extended two times due to popular demand. Barbie™: The Fashion Experience™ marked the 50th anniversary of Mattel’s iconic doll, Barbie. It took a look at the role of Barbie® as a fashion icon through the years. It was slated to be open December 19, 2009 through early 2010 but was extended until March 31, 2012. Hot Wheels For Real™, featuring life-size Hot Wheels cars opened in 2012 and was slated to close early in 2013, but due to its overwhelming popularity it was extended through May 2013. The museum later partnered with Mattel for Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™, which opened in May 2015 and came back each summer through 2019. It is now available across North America as a traveling exhibit.
Barbie™You Can Be Anything: The Experience is presented by Subway® and supported by Franklin Pest Solutions and KinderCare Learning Centers
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health, Old National Bank and Ice Miller LLP. @2019 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
