Blue Man Group: Making Waves

Waves are everywhere! At least sound waves are everywhere and your child can learn more about the basics of sound in an exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta inspired and created by the Blue Man Group.

My family really enjoyed “A Sound Connection,” the mini-musical that sparked the children’s interest in the exhibit. Actors dressed as an alien and a caveman encouraged the children to make common animal sounds found in the forest.  My preschooler Caleb did a fine impression of a frog.

All the segments featured throughout the exhibit were colorful and stimulating for children ages 3-8 years.

One of the most interesting elements of the exhibit is the PVC pipes to make sounds and perform just like the Blue Man Group. All the school-aged children enjoyed playing with the PVC pipes, which were accompanied with user-friendly sheet music to play common tunes like “Ode to Joy.”

 “Look mommy, my belly is a drum,” Caleb said, as we visited the “You’re a Musical Instrument” segment of the exhibit. It has an interactive video about beating your belly like a drum.

All the children and parents liked using their senses to feel and see sound waves. From this exhibit, children will learn elements of sound such as the speed, moving waves faster for a higher frequency of sounds, building better sounds with pitch and timbre, and creating variations of sounds with their voices and the PVC trombone.  Parents liked the show on a world without sound, but also rediscovered basic elements of sound, too!

Tips for getting the most out of this exhibit: Use this as an opportunity to stimulate your child’s creativity. No inside voices needed here. Release the sound and have fun!

–Patrice Little

The Details: 

This exhibit brings together science and art through a multi-sensory exploration of sound. Make music on the sand drum, tube phones or PVCs just like the Blue Man Group.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta
404-659-5437; childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Admission: Adults and children, $15.95; under age 1, free.
Exhibit: Blue Man Group exhibit closes Sept. 4