Tag: the strong national museum of play

Strong Museum to add indoor aerial course, zip line

Built by RCI Adventure Products, Skyline Climb consists of two courses geared towards different sizes and skill levels. (provided)

The Strong National Museum of Play is making a bold move into adventure play as it builds a new high ropes course. The courses are slated to open on Nov. 26.

“Skyline Climb allows the museum to explore the importance of physical play,” said Mike Streb, director of exhibits and quality assurance. “Safe but adventurous play allows us to stretch ourselves, overcome our fears, and build courage and confidence. It makes us braver, stronger, and better prepared for challenges. We grow bigger through our play.”

Suspended above the museum’s Elaine Wilson Carousel and Bill Gray’s at the Skyliner Diner, adults and kids can navigate beams and balance obstacles, maneuver ropes and wobbly bridges and leap off a zipline platform.

Built by RCI Adventure Products, Skyline Climb consists of two courses geared towards different sizes and skill levels — Low-Rise for guests below 48 inches in height (with parental or guardian supervision) and High-Rise for those 48 inches and above. In High-Rise, participants will ascend 28 feet into the museum’s glass-enclosed carousel atrium in a safety harness and move from pillar to pillar in any direction, climbing through ropes, balancing on planks and rolling logs, working through pulley obstacles and floating bridges, walking the plank, and zooming back on the Sky Rail using a zip line-like element.

The Skyline Climb is slated to open Nov. 26. (provided)

Low-Rise and High-Rise will be open exploration zones without a time limit.

Skyline Climb will require an additional fee of $5, or $4 for members for Low-Rise and $7, or $6 for members for High-Rise. Packs of six climbs can be purchased for $35. Guests who purchase museum admission, Skyline Climb and Dancing Butterfly Garden admission as a package will be able to add a choice of two free values that include a train ride, carousel ride or four free video game tokens.

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Finalists selected for Toy Hall of Fame

A dozen toys have been named finalists for the Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame. Fans can vote to help determine which three will be inducted.

care-bear-resizedThe finalists include Care Bears, coloring book, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, magic the Gathering, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox Cars, My Little Pony, Nerf Blaster, Risk, smartphone and top.

“These 12 toys represent the wide scope of play—from the simple, traditional spinning top that has been played with since pre-history to the ultra-modern smartphone, which has dramatically changed how people of all ages play and connect,” said Christopher Branch, vice president for collections at the Strong. “Whether old or new, or imaginative or physical, all 12 of these toy finalists share an undeniable ability to inspire people to learn, create and discover through play.”

The National Toy Hall of Fame was started in 1998 to recognize toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Some 68 toys have been inducted to date, including checkers, Easy-Bake Oven, Radio Flyer Wagon and LEGO.

The hall of fame annually receives thousands of nominations, and this year fans can vote for their favorite finalists from Sept. 11 through Sept. 18 as part of a “player’s choice” ballot. The three toys that receive the most public votes will be submitted and join the other top-three submissions by members of the national selection advisory committee. Criteria for induction include icon status, discovery and innovation.

The winners will be announced on Nov. 7.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer