Children’s Museum Brings Out the Best in STX Youth

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - They say a picture is worth a thousand words, if so, the laughter of a child must be worth its weight in gold. You can reach out to every part of the world, every island, every small town, every crowded street, you can see and hear all sorts of sights, all sorts of sounds, all sorts of lovely songs, but when you see and hear the sound of a child laughing and playing, when you look into their eyes and see the spark of knowledge growing, of excitement bubbling over, there is really nothing else like it on God’s Great Earth.

Such is the scene of childhood joy and discovery on the grounds and in the play rooms of the wonderful new home of the Children’s Museum of St. Croix, as it takes its rightful place as one of STX’s main institutions on a four-and-a-half acre plot off the old Highway in Frederiksted. 

At its recent celebratory party honoring the Worldwide Day of Play, in which Children’s Museums all over the U. S. participated, there were dozens and dozens of happy children doing what they do best - Playing. The Children’s Museum of St. Croix have taken their pop-up concept and turned it into a paradise dedicated to children’s learning and children’s fun.   

Through the help of grants and donations, and VI government funding, along with a host a gentle-minded, child-loving volunteers, The Children’s Museum of St. Croix has created a wonderland for STX children to turn on the switches of their young minds and allow the multi-faceted world of the Children’s Museum to be their ticket to youthful education and imaginatory exploration.

“We bring the space, place and materials,” said Ellie Hirsh, President of the Board of The Children’s Museum of St. Croix. “The kids bring everything else.”

On the grounds and in the main building of the Children’s Museum, there is the Dinosaur room, the enclose-yourself in a Bubble room, a woodblock room, rooms to put together puzzle parts, rooms to appreciate flora and fauna; outdoor areas for painting, log playing, music, an outdoor area for toddlers, and an outdoor reading area, among other indoor and outdoor spaces for kids to be kids.

On the Worldwide Day of Play, Julie Sommer of JS Therapies had her Therapy Bus on the grounds. They offer speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children. Also, Yogi Mandi, a yoga instructor and wellness guide, with the The VI Wellness Flow, was working with children doing motor activities.  

There is so much to do at the new home of the Children’s Museum of St. Croix that it clearly makes the adult head spin. But here’s the thing, it doesn’t make the child’s head spin. It makes the child’s mind take off. It makes the child’s mind eager to learn, to explore, to wonder what the world around them is about. It helps to form a gentle stepping stone into those younger years of childhood learning and exploration.       

The Children’s Museum of St. Croix is a 501(c) (3) organization. They accept tax deductible donations.

Their Mission Statement reads: The Museum provides a multi-faceted, interactive creative space for children and families to discover a variety of learning opportunities inherent in play. The Museum is designed for children to interact with displays and manipulate materials that provide opportunities to explore, create, learn - and have fun. 

Create. Play. Imagine.