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About the exhibit
The exhibit welcomes visitors with the inspirational story of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, showcases a variety of career dolls from the past six decades, and highlights female Role Models who have broken boundaries. The core of the exhibit provides families a chance to explore over 15 career roles through hands-on and touchscreen interactives, themed role-play environments, and photo opps.
Exhibit messages:
Barbie dolls and their play environments 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.
- Barbie creator Ruth Handler was the first toymaker to create a doll that encourages girls to imagine themselves in a wide variety of future occupations.
- We can take inspiration from female role models throughout history.
- Family and friends can provide enthusiastic, dependable support systems to encourage us as we work toward our goals.
- There are many types of careers that can give life purpose and joy, so take time to explore the possibilities through play.
- Given Barbie’s popularity over the past 60 years, generations of children, parents, and grandparents have had personal experiences with Barbie and can share those memories with their families and friends.
Exhibit areas
Ruth Handler & Multi-generational Barbie display
Visitors will see a large display featuring an image of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, along with a large-scale image of 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.” Visitors will also see a display of Barbie career dolls representing each decade.
Ruth Handler will be positioned as the first role model in the exhibit experience. Families will learn about how and why Handler invented Barbie, one of the most successful toys of all time. Additionally, children, parents, and grandparents will take part in intergenerational learning as they identify and discuss Barbie dolls that they played with as children.
Role Models
The Role Model section of the exhibit will highlight five of the Role Model dolls, showing images of their real-life counterparts, and sharing information about their backgrounds, struggles, and accomplishments. Visitors will see a photo of the Role Model on the information panel alongside their doll on display.
Role Models include:
- Laurie Hernandez
- Katherine Johnson
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Amelia Earhart
- Florence Nightingale
You Can Be Anything Areas
Families will experience five themed areas in which they will be encouraged to try out activities associated with a wide variety of roles and careers. Each area will highlight a particular role type: Leader, Problem Solver, Creator, Nurturer, or Adventurer. As they explore, visitors will see displays celebrating real life role models that fill these roles at their jobs every day. They will also see displays of Barbie dolls that represent various career options. Visitors will get to try on 15 different careers through role play and hands-on and digital interactives.
Careers include:
- Surfer
- Rock Climber
- Wildlife Photographer
- President
- Pilot
- Film Director
- Fashion Designer
- Chef
- Artist
- Beekeeper
- Farm Vet
- Doctor
- Builder
- Archaeologist
- Robotics Engineer
Doll Box Interactive
In this interactive photo opportunity, visitors will be prompted to imagine their future careers or roles in adult life. Visitors will see a life-sized Barbie doll box environment. They will enter the box and use digital controls to adjust the copy and images on the box to display their name and their future dream career or role. Nearby prompts will encourage visitors to pose in the box and have their picture taken by a family member.
Schedule
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Impression 5, Lansing, MI |
| Spring 2025 | Discovery Cube, Los Angeles, CA |
| Summer 2025 | Exploration Place, Wichita, KS |
| Fall 2025 | Available |
| Spring 2026 | Available |
| Summer 2026 | Available |
| Fall 2026 | Available |
| Spring/Summer 2027 | Pending |
| Fall 2027 | Available |
| Spring 2028 | Available |
| Summer 2028 | Pending |
Rental information
- Target Age: 6-10 years old
- Size: 5,000 Sq ft
- Cost: $165,000 plus inbound shipping
- Term: 3 months
- Virtual Tour Link
- Facebook Live Walkthrough with Exhibit Developer
Contact us
To book this exhibit or to learn more, contact Jen Crespo, Traveling Exhibits Sales Coordinator, at JCrespo@childrensmuseum.org.
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