¡Viva México! 5 Reasons Your Family Will Love Our New Interactive Exhibit
April 28, 2025
¡Bienvenidos, amigos! Get ready for an exciting journey south of the border as our newest cultural exhibit, ¡Viva México!, opens on April 30, 2025 – coinciding with Mexico’s Día del Niño (Children’s Day)! This vibrant, hands-on exhibit will immerse your family in the rich traditions and daily life of Mexican children through interactive play and exploration. Here are five reasons why your family won’t want to miss this colorful adventure!
Click here to check out a sneak peek of the exhibit being built!
1. Create and Explore in a Vibrant Mexican Market
Step into a colorful street market where the sights, sounds, and experiences of Mexico come alive! In this immersive environment, your children can:
- Design their own papel picado (traditional cut paper decorations)
- Craft vibrant alebrijes (fantastical folk art creatures)
- “Shop” for fresh produce and ingredients
- Explore artisan crafts and traditional Mexican goods
- Visit street food carts featuring treats like street corn, tacos, and churros
Hands-on creativity is at the heart of this exhibit—so roll up your sleeves and join in!
2. Cook and Connect in a Traditional Mexican Home
What’s for dinner? Head into a welcoming Mexican household where family traditions come to life through hands-on activities:
- Practice making pretend tortillas from scratch
- Set the table for a family meal
- Prepare for an authentic Mexican dinner
- Explore a home filled with artwork from famous Mexican artists
This immersive environment gives kids a glimpse into everyday family life in Mexico while developing fine motor skills and an appreciation for family traditions.
3. Play and Learn at a Mexican School
Education becomes an adventure in our interactive school environment! In our playful classroom, kids can learn about Mexico’s history, create a Mexican flag, and even pick up some Spanish vocabulary. Then it’s off to the schoolyard to play classic games and a round of fútbol (soccer), just like kids in Mexico today! Your little learners can:
- Create their own Mexican flag
- Learn new Spanish words through fun activities
- Discover Mexico’s rich history and diverse geography
- Head to the schoolyard for a game of fútbol
- Try traditional playground games popular with Mexican children
Parent Tip: Challenge your family to practice the Spanish words they learn throughout your visit! The entire exhibit features dual-language displays, creating natural opportunities for children to enhance language skills while having fun.
4. Move to the Music of Mexico
What’s that sound? It’s the lively beat of mariachi music in the town plaza gazebo! Try on traditional clothing, grab a maraca or güiro, and join the rhythm. Get your body moving in this high-energy, interactive area:
- Dress up in colorful traditional Mexican clothing
- Dance to the lively sounds of mariachi music
- Try playing musical instruments like maracas and guiros
- Perform in a beautiful gazebo setting
- Experience the joy of Mexican musical traditions
This dynamic space combines physical play with cultural learning, giving children the chance to experience how Mexican kids have fun!
5. Embark on a Magical Trajinera Boat Adventure
Climb aboard a trajinera—a colorful, flat-bottomed boat used in Mexico’s canal systems—and take a pretend cruise while learning about the axolotl, a quirky and beloved amphibian native to Mexico. Your little ones can:
- “Float” through recreated Mexican waterways
- Learn about the axolotl – a beloved and endangered animal native to Mexico
- Discover Mexico’s unique ecosystems
- Experience the ancient canal traditions that continue today
This interactive boat ride creates a sense of wonder while teaching children about Mexico’s natural environment in an engaging way.
Special Cultural Celebrations
¡Viva México! will highlight important celebrations in Mexican culture, including:
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – with special activities explaining this important tradition.
- Día del Niño (Children’s Day) – celebrated on opening day.
Perfect for All Ages
¡Viva México! is thoughtfully designed with activities suitable for toddlers through pre-teens:
- Toddler-friendly: Simple sorting activities, chunky play food, and sensory experiences
- Preschoolers: Dress-up, simple crafts, and pretend play
- Elementary-aged children: Cultural learning, more complex crafts, and independent exploration
- Pre-teens: Deeper cultural context and digital interactive elements
Plan Your Visit and Join the Fiesta
¡Viva México! opens on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and will run through January 2026. Admission is included with your general Magic House admission of $15 per person.
This exciting new exhibit is the sixth in our series of cultural exhibits designed to help children and families build interest in and celebrate diverse cultures from around the world. Previous exhibits in this nationally traveling series include Children’s China, Kenya’s Kids, Argentina’s Niños, Namaste India, and Ciao Bambini!
To ensure an authentic experience, The Magic House formed the ¡Viva México! advisory committee made up of professionals from the St. Louis area with deep-rooted connections to Mexico. The entire exhibit is presented in a dual language format, making it accessible to Spanish and English speakers alike.
So gather your amigos and mark your calendars – this hands-on journey to Mexico is one your family won’t want to miss!
¡Nos vemos pronto! (See you soon!)
Click here to learn more about ¡Viva México!