This document proposes the creation of a nonprofit children's museum called Creativity And Beyond in Mercer County. It would serve preschool through 3rd grade students, families, educators, and mental health professionals. The mission is to provide a space that inspires imagination and discovery learning through interactive exhibits and programming. The museum aims to bring people together through exploration. It also discusses potential exhibits like a miniature replica of Mercer County called Frog Hill Town, a sensory room, art studio, writing area, and puppet theater to support learning and development.

1. Tami Lussier
Meghan Lussier

2. Overview
 Creativity And Beyond will be a non-profit children’s museum located
in Mercer County that will serve preschool and early childhood
students grades k-3, families, educators and mental health
professionals.
 Mission: The mission of the museum is to provide a magical place for
children that inspires imagination and motivates discovery learning
through interactive/sensory exhibits and educational programming.
 Vision: Bring families, children and educators together to build
meaningful connections and share ideas through the exploration of fun
and interactive exhibits.

3. What are Children’s Museums?
 One of the fastest growing areas of the museum profession.
 Run by pioneering people who think outside the box by building
institutions that emphasize the educational role of museums over the
traditional focus of the research/preservation role.
 Child and family centered.
 Based on the Constructivist theory of learning.
 Creative design for interactive, sensory exhibits and educational
experiences that support the development of children in all domains
and motivate discovery learning.

4. Why have one in Mercer County?
 To enhance traditional classroom education.
 T provide a venue for play, music and/or sensory therapy: supporting
the mental/behavioral health community.
 To encourage parents and siblings to play and learn together at their
leisure.
 To provide an educational experience for field trips and outings.
 To provide exhibits and projects to spark curiosity and apply
knowledge.
 To inspire creative expression through art, writing and drama/promote
literacy.

5. Why Mercer County?
Why not bring a small Children’s Museum to
Mercer County? Why should big cities have all the
fun? Through collaboration or alliance with the
Historical Society and schools districts, we can
create a magical place for rural children that brings
to life, the rich and interesting history where they
live,within a fun and interactive environment.

6. Why Mercer County….
 One way I hope to achieve this is through designing a lilliput working
town that replicates Mercer County to some degree. For instance, a
pretend restaurant or bank. A farmhouse, garden, orchards, animals; all
created for hands-on play. A fishing boat with a small lake exhibit that
teaches the children number recognition and counting. There could be a
bait shop, a grocery market to teach children about economy. The
children can pick pretend fruit off the trees, milk a cow or collect
vegetables and put the food items in a truck and take them to the
market to sell! A veterinarian could take care of the animals on the
farm. Opportunities for pretend play are endless. The Lilliput town can
be custom designed to reflect mercer county’s cultural diversity and
modern trends or it can bring to life, past eras.

7. Open for suggestions and ideas
 This can be achieved by offering a variety of events, props and exhibits at
different times of the year. Volunteers can dress in period costumes and tell
stories. I am open for volunteers, stories, legends, songs, historical facts!!
 The Lilliput town that I have thought of is run by frogs….yes frogs. As
children enter the town, they are greeted by an animatronic frog ‘Mayor’
 It is called the Town of Frog Hill. We can combine fantasy with reality to
make things appealing and spark imagination.
 I hope to gather information about the history of Mercer County and learn
about the environment in order to weave these concepts into the exhibits and
the Town of Frog Hill. My desire is to network with people who know the
rich history of Mercer county. Please feel free to contact me with ideas or
contributions.

8. Mini Lilliput Town (can be custom designed)
Purpose: Children experience social/emotional development, learn
about community helpers and occupations, team work, problem-solving
and communication skills through dramatic play. (Costumes/props)

9. Suzie Sensory Room
collaboration with mental health professionals!
 Sensory Stimulation/Relaxation.
 For special needs.
Vestibular Input: Monkey Products, bouncy horses, tents etc.

10. Suzie Sensory Room
 Light Therapy:
 Fiber Optic lights
 Rope Lights
 Bubble Columns

11. Suzie Sensory Room
Olfactory Stimulation: Tactile Stimulation:
Aroma therapy:
Olfactory sensory toys Squeeze, fidget toys, textured balls,
Tactile walls, Mood Wall Planel.

12. Suzie Sensory Room Continued…
 Proprioception/vestibular development:
 Floor Pillows
 Hammocks
 Mini jumpolenes
 tunnels

13. Megh-a-doodle! With a Poodle!
Celebrating Children’s art…
Art Gallery for children’s
finished work.
Language art Classes
Free time in art studio to
paint, doodle and create!

14. Children’s Creative writing Circle
celebrating kid writing.
 We invite you to King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table to
share ideas and write adventure stories.
 Queen Guinevere and King Arthur and Merlin will be there in
costume to inspire you to go through the writing process:
Brain-storming, drafting, editing and publishing.
 Finished stories will be published and placed in the library of
the castle.

15. Puppet Theater and Stage/literacy development
 http://www.axtell.com/littletree.html
 Animotronics
 Stage for children to dress up in costumes and act out stories.
 Puppet theatre for marionettes and puppets