IRVINE – Do your children dream of becoming a super hero?
Then head over to Pretend City Children’s Museum, which is hosting a Super Powers exhibit where children can take on challenges to test their courage and build confidence.
“The exhibit has been created around the idea that every child is a superhero,” Pretend City’s Executive Director Sandra Bolton said in a statement. “We want children to believe in themselves. This exhibit will help empower children so that they believe in their own abilities to make a difference in the world.”
The special summer exhibit, originally created by Omaha Children’s Museum, includes the following attractions:
• Super Powers Headquarters – Suit up as your favorite superheroes, such as Superman, Batman, a solider, a police officer and a firefighter.
• Sky Slider – A zip line that tests your valor and fearlessness.
• Ropes Maze – Climb under and over the tricky “laser beams” ropes maze.
• Wind Tunnel – Grab a cape and watch yourself on TV flying up in the sky, using green screen technology.
• Comic Creation Station – Design a jumbo comic strip by mixing and matching a variety of characters, props and speech bubbles.
• Fuel Cell Bikes – Test your strength by pedaling as hard as you can.
• Storm Shooter – Create tornadoes, rain, lightning and snow with a soft foam shooter.
• Mini Heroes – Designed for toddlers, the area features soft play blocks, a reading nook and other activities.
• Decoding Station – Create a secret message and read it in a dark room.
Museum officials said pretending to be a superhero has positive impact on children. For example, a 2012 Cornell University study shows that children order healthier food just by thinking about what their favorite superhero would eat.
The Super Powers exhibit will continue through Sept. 18, spokeswoman Hayley Burns said.
Pretend City, run by a nonprofit organization, features a kids-sized city where children can play different roles and learn how a community works. The city includes 17 regular exhibits and activities, such as a library, cafe, dentist and police and fire stations.
A child can pretend to be a farmer and learn how how fruits and vegetables they pick are sold at a grocery store.
Contact the writer: 949-445-6397 or tshimura@ocregister.com
