Tasha Does Tulsa.

The other day my son climbed a spiderweb. And flew an airplane. And went hurtling down a speedway. And built a bridge over a treacherous river filled with alligators. He also went on a scavenger hunt to uncover a secret message.

And he did it all without traveling to an exotic, far-away land. He also did it all without paying a single cent.

Here’s his secret: He went to the Big Adventure, the third interactive, semi-permanent exhibit by Tulsa Children’s Museum, our city’s own kids’ museum without walls, at Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave. Like every other exhibit at THS, this one is absolutely, completely free to see.

The exhibit reminded me of field trips to what was formally known as the OmniPlex in Oklahoma City, only scaled down (the plus for moms: less chasing the kids around all over the danged place) and full of even more interactive components. Big Adventure challenges kids physically and mentally on what’s essentially a three-dimensional game board, which is something they just can’t get from an afternoon in front of the TV.

When we popped in to see what the exhibit was all about the TCM volunteers took the time to walk us through the exhibit, explaining how to interact fully and safely with all it had to offer. One of the volunteers was so friendly and attentive, in fact, that by the end of our trip, she was calling my curly-headed sidekick by name.

She didn’t even give us the you-guys-are-the-bane-of-society look when my son spent 45 minutes driving a kid-sized baby stroller over the bumpy Main Drag at Big Adventure.

Maybe he thinks that driving strollers repeatedly over rough terrain is something that’s done by all normal and law-abiding people.

He’d have me to blame for that. I chose a jogging stroller for a reason – they can jump curbs almost as easily as the Jeep I drove in college.

Moms, I want to tell you something: When we give birth to boys, we’re raising the future fathers of America. If your little guy wants to drive a stroller and play with dolls, you should let him – his future spouse will thank you.

Personally? I know my little man will make a wonderful daddy someday.

Oh, the tenderness.

While my little guy definitely had fun herding the baby stroller over as many obstacles as possible, we had a lot of fun on the scavenger hunt, too.

It was pretty tough, I have to say. There are no gimmes in this game – the kids are challenged to find each and every clue.

But for me, the mom, it was easy. Easy peasy. Easy as pie. Easy like Sunday morning.

You believe me, don’t you?

Here are some tips for kids and parents alike: It’s easier to find clues if you can get a bird’s eye view.

“Mamma? I no see dese clues.”

“Well, son, if you want to have something besides bread and water for dinner, you’re just gonna have to look harder.”

I’m so glad everyone believes everything that comes out of my mouth.

Eventually, we solved the puzzle.

(SPOILER ALERT!)

Whoever made up this secret message is definitely, definitely cool in my book.

The Big Adventure is at THS until April 2011, but why wait? Check it out this weekend. Because odds are you’ll want plenty of time to revisit it again and again.

Plus, it’s a great excuse to see what else is going on at Tulsa Historical Society. Look for exhibits on the Tulsa Race Riot (the largest in U.S. history) as well as installations on Tulsa in the 1940s, a history of baseball in Tulsa and a display in honor of the centennial of Camp Fire USA.

To say the least, there’s a little bit of something for everyone going on at THS right now.

Even for caretakers in training.

Tulsa Children’s Museum: The Big Adventure
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
Where: Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave.
Call: (918) 712-9484
Web: TulsaChildrensMuseum.org, TulsaHistory.org

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•