In the past we’ve raved about Arlington Heights Memorial Library. One is reason is that they always continue to wow the community with fascinating exhibits, and their latest one is no exception. Until March 31, XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness will help families explore different dimensions of their emotions and celebrate love in a fun and unique way at 10 different interactive stations.
This newest traveling exhibit promises to be a hit with kids ages 2-12; my kids certainly loved it! So open your hearts, take a peek and learn more about each station.
Holding Hands
Kids love: Trying to illuminate a secret message about love by working together with a friend to complete the circuit.
Reflection Table
Kids love: Putting their hands into the sensory bin full of glass beads.
Parents love: This way for kids to reflect and self-regulate their feelings. By closing their eyes and listening to the sounds of the beads, this provides a way for kids to calm down and relax.
Emotional Faces
Kids love: Watching themselves make faces with different emotions and having it video recorded in five second intervals.
Parents love: Seeing a collage of their kids on the big projector screen. Then work together to try to figure out what kind of emotion was displayed.
Response Wall
Kids love: Answering the writing prompts on tags and hanging it.
Parents love: Watching kids express their emotion on paper, and then having the courage to share it with others.
Story Puzzle
Kids love: Putting together the puzzles.
Parents love: The words written on the puzzle pieces that can evoke feelings and allow kids to share their own stories.
Telephone Booth
Kids love: Talking and listening to kids at the other end of the line.
Parents love: That kids can learn the value of communication by sharing and listening to each other talk.
Art Making
Kids love: Creating a small gift box with a die cut machine, then decorating as they wish.
Parents love: That kids are being thoughtful by making and giving. It's always great to show someone you care.
Release the Negative
Kids love: Writing about something that made them mad, sad, scared, frustrated, then putting that piece of paper through the paper shredder.
Parents love: That kids can express themselves then can “release” and let go of that negative energy physically.
Tone Phones
Kids love: Speaking into the phones then watching their voice project on the screen.
Parents love: That kids can visualize how they are communicating with others, allowing people to see how projected shapes can change depending on changes in tone and volume.
Credit: Brian Benson, Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Face Blocks
Kids love: Putting the blocks of faces together. Others may be inclined to stack the blocks, which is totally fine, too!
Parents love: Seeing kids put those problem-solving skills to work. Kids can then see the similarities of all the faces when they smile.
Credit: Brian Benson, Arlington Heights Memorial Library
If you go:
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
500 N. Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights
XOXO is open during regular library hours in the Marketplace and Kids’ World.
Read more about our visit here.