At the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, imagination takes flight through Amelia’s Journey—a one-of-a-kind play experience inspired by aviation, exploration, and discovery. Designed and built by Soft Play in partnership with the museum, this immersive installation brings history, learning, and movement together through two interconnected play environments that invite children to climb, explore, and dream big.

vision

The vision for this project was to create an engaging, educational environment that blends play with storytelling—one that honors the spirit of Amelia Earhart while inspiring curiosity, confidence, and exploration in every child. By merging hands-on play with themes of flight, discovery, and space exploration, the project aims to spark imagination while supporting developmental growth for a wide range of ages and abilities.

the challenge

The Children’s Museum of Brownsville sought a play experience that went beyond traditional equipment—one that could deliver meaningful educational value, support inclusive play, and serve as a signature attraction for the community. The challenge was to design a dynamic environment that balanced imagination and learning while fitting within the museum’s mission of accessibility, engagement, and enrichment for all families.

 

Features of Amelia’s Journey

  • “Adventures in the Sky: Amelia’s Journey”
    A large, contained climber inspired by Amelia Earhart’s pioneering spirit, this play structure invites children to crawl, climb, and explore through airplane-inspired forms. Featuring slides, crawl tunnels, climbing elements, and interactive panels, the experience supports motor skill development, problem-solving, and imaginative role play—all within a safe, contained environment.

  • “Boca Chica to Mars”
    This soft-play environment introduces children to the wonders of space exploration through sculptural foam forms, tactile elements, and imaginative landscapes. Designed for inclusive, sensory-rich play, the space encourages creativity while supporting physical and cognitive development for younger children.

Photo Gallery