- Fueling children’s knowledge and understanding of whole-person wellness.
Overview
The Cayton Children’s Museum activates the power of play to enrich the lives of children and their families, build stronger, more connected communities, and create a better world. Located in Downtown Santa Monica just blocks from the Pacific Ocean, the Cayton Children’s Museum offers 21,000 square feet of discovery-based exhibits and immersive play. In 2018, the Simms/Mann Family Foundation made a gift to the Cayton to create the Simms/Mann Habits for Health Initiative, anchored by the “All Systems Go!” interactive Rube Goldberg-inspired ball machine.
Desired Impact
In the United States, 1 in 5 children is obese. The goal of the Habits for Health Initiative is to educate diverse audiences on the importance of whole-person wellness and the interconnection of physical and mental health over the lifespan, with the goal of addressing the diabetes and obesity epidemic in America.
The All Systems Go! ball machine engages children and adults of all ages, sizes, and abilities in a constantly moving process. Balls move upward with solo play, but visitors find the activity exponentially more complex and fun when working together as in a group. Through this engagement as well as educational signage, families learn about the importance of healthy eating, hydration, sleep, movement, reflection, connection, and play.
