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Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1997

Close up view of a pinball machine which is at the Smoky Hill Museum
Logo that says "The Curiosity Shop" for the Smoky Hill Museum's hands-on exhibit area

​The Curiosity Shop

​With the emphasis on "curiosity," this inviting and playful space offers a dynamic, sensory environment. Visitors will throw themselves into new surroundings, exploring through sight, feel and imagination. This interactive children's area features a tot section alongside four primary themed spaces for youth ages three to 14: The World of Radio, Town Building, The Dirty '30s and Kansas Weather.

The Curiosity Shop’s educational activities encourage cognitive, social and emotional development of children and students while serving as a safe, stimulating place of enrichment. Research shows that children who engage in meaningful play outside of the classroom perform better in school and have more success throughout life.

The Curiosity Shop
  • Two girls playing with building blocks in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Building Blocks
  • Close up view of electic currents in a plasma ball in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Plasma Ball
  • Two girls in a tornado simulator in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Tornado Simulator
  • Girl playing with recording studio controls in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Radio Recording Studio
  • Two girls playing a concentration game in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Concentration
  • Boy and girl playing with a giant light bright in the Smoky Hill Museum exhibit The Curiosity Shop.
    Giant Lite Brite
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Special thanks to our sponsors:

  • Friends of the Museum

  • For A Bend in the River exhibit

  • For A Bend in the River exhibit

  • Cary Brinegar

    For A Bend in the River exhibit

  • Citywide Storage

    For A Place to Call Home traveling exhibit

  • Exline

    For A Place to Call Home traveling exhibit

  • Mid-Kansas Title

    For A Place to Call Home traveling exhibit

  • Waters Hardware

    For A Place to Call Home traveling exhibit

  • For Growing a Community platform and Street Fair

  • For the From Sod to Stone area

  • For Crossing the Crossroads area

  • For Street Fair

  • Roy & Donice Applequist

    For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • Ann Zimmerman & Dexter Eggers

    For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • Dick & Joyce Brown

    For Street Fair

  • Dean & Debra Lewis

    For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For the Street Fair's Serious Eaters Contest

  • For the Street Fair's Serious Eaters Contest

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

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