The Rainforest Rhythm exhibit at the Please Touch Museum

A life-size elephant holds a log of conga drums for kids to bang out tunes

Summer brings the newest exhibit to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia!

The new exhibit for the summer at the Please Touch Museum is open for fun! The Rainforest Rhythm exhibit has returned, complete with a life-sized elephant and lots of musical opportunities for kids to explore.

Rainforest Rhythm provides a unique play-based learning experience that encourages the inclusion of music into everyday life,” said PTM President & CEO Laura Foster. “Making music is an important part of childhood, as it promotes creativity, imagination and self-expression.

The life-sized elephant holds a conga drum log for kids to beat out a rhythm of their own. There are melodic frogs, a natural log organ and xylophones to make some tunes, and a giant tree filled with an assortment of sounds controlled by kids pulling different strings. There are rain stick logs that turn to create lovely sounds. And be on the lookout for chattering monkeys and a nine-foot long stuffed forest snake! Kids are able to interact and play with many nature-inspired musical instruments that encourage learning through play.

Nature-inspired instruments in the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit

The Rainforest Rhythm exhibit is adjacent to the Carousel room. To enhance the experience, the lighting is muted and visitors hear gentle rainforest sounds, such as a waterfall. At one end of the exhibit is a play area called the “Storybook Cottage,” that is toddler friendly. The Three Little Bears tale can be played out by little ones, complete with taking a “nap” in three different sized beds. It is just one of many learning activities for kids found throughout this exhibit and the entire museum.

Little ones can play in the Storybook Cottage, adjacent to the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit at the Please Touch Museum

My son had a blast trying out all of the instruments in the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit. His favorites included the foot-pedal organ and the xylophones. He also enjoyed meeting a monkey, which was a puppet controlled by one of the museum’s staff puppeteers. The Please Touch Museum is a great place to go for things to do for kids anytime of the year, but especially during the summer when kids are home and it’s really hot outside. We find that visiting in the afternoon is a great time, as the museum is less crowded after lunch. We are members of the museum, as my son loves it so much we go at least once a month! When we went the first time to the museum, about two years ago, the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit was also on display then. My son loved playing with the musical frogs and climbing into the canoe back then. He was so small, he couldn’t even reach some of the drums. It was fun to see him play on this exhibit again, now that he is taller and could see things differently. It was just as enjoyable for him this time as it was two years ago. I was also impressed with how well-maintained the museum is kept, considering how many children visit daily. Despite this being a return exhibit, it was in pristine condition.

Entry to the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit is included with admission to the museum and will be on display all summer until September 6, 2011. Regular museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until 5:00pm, and Sundays from 11:00am – 5:00pm. The Please Touch Museum, the Children’s Museum of Philadelphia, is located at Memorial Hall Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA. For more information, call 215-581-3181, or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.

The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia

Disclosure: Mama received a media tour preview of the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit and lunch, compliments of the museum. No monetary compensation was received. Photos are courtesy of Mama Diane.