XOXO at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Knowing how to talk about love, joy and sadness with kids can be challenging. That’s where exhibits like XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta can help.

Developed for ages 2-8, this exhibit encourages kids to explore their feelings through fun interactive activities. The exhibit is perfectly positioned in the back corner of the museum where soft lighting and relative quiet create an environment for deeper reflection, even on a busy Saturday afternoon.

My 7-year-old son enjoyed the Tokens of Love section of the exhibit where he could write or draw his feelings on a piece of paper and use a paper compressor to crush the paper into a smooth round token. My 4-year-old daughter enjoyed the Emotional Faces exhibit where she could take a five-second video of herself displaying the prompted emotion – sad, happy, angry –  then see it displayed on an ever-changing large screen display.   

The Release the Negative section where children are encouraged to write or draw something that makes them sad, angry, or scared then shred it, was unfortunately not working. I love the concept of teaching kids to experience a negative feeling, then let it go.

The XOXO exhibit can be a nice adjunct to the permanent exhibits at the museum or, with advance planning, a trip in and of itself. Reading books such as My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss or Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis can help start conversations about emotions.

Kids who have experienced loss or who are going through tough times may find some of the activities in the exhibit to be particularly therapeutic, but anyone willing to delve into their emotions may gain some insights.

– Megan Benoit Ratcliff