The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), a nationally recognized science museum and recipient of the IMLS National Medal for Museum Service, has partnered with MAGNA-TILES®, America’s #1 Magnetic Building Sets Brand,* to create the first-ever traveling museum exhibit, MAGNA-TILES Studio. This magnetic exhibit is set to launch in January 2027 and will bring a world of creativity and Meaningful Play to children’s museums and science centers across the globe.
One year ago, MODS unveiled its first collaboration with MAGNA-TILES — a first-of-its-kind permanent, rainbow-hued STEAM-based play space filled with more than 10,000 magnetic shapes to ignite young imaginations, its first partnership with the award-winning children’s toy brand. The Studio quickly became a guest favorite.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with MAGNA-TILES to design the first traveling exhibit, building upon the success of our MAGNA-TILES Studio,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science. “In this creative studio, each tile is a stepping stone to confidence, empowering children to follow their instincts, chart their own course, and revel in the joy of exploration. With this new collaboration, we aim to ignite that same spark for limitless learning and creativity in children around the world.”
The new 2,500-square-foot, hands-on interactive experience will be based on MODS’
MAGNA-TILES Studio model designed as an immersive educational world where young minds will flourish. Activities will focus on enhancing early cognitive skills and understanding of primary colors, small hand muscle development, pattern recognition, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, early literacy and math exploration.
The exhibit will invite visitors to explore the forces that shape our world through dynamic, buildable play. Powered by imagination, guests will DREAM, CREATE and TEST through experience-based challenges across three distinct zones:
- build + DREAM: Let imagination soar while climbing and playing in themed environments.
- build + CREATE: Explore color, light and form through open-ended creative building.
- build + TEST: Put engineering and magnetism to the test through collaborative building challenges.
“At MAGNA-TILES, we believe in the power of play to inspire creativity, ignite imagination and foster lifelong learning,” said Michael Scheffki, vice president of marketing at
MAGNA-TILES. “Partnering with a world-class institution like MODS to bring this immersive experience on the road is a natural evolution for our brand. The traveling exhibit elevates our core purpose—promoting Meaningful Play—by empowering children of all ages everywhere to explore, experiment and create through hands-on discovery. It’s more than play—it’s a launchpad for innovative thinking and essential skill-building.”
More details about the traveling exhibit will be available at the Association of Children’s Museums’ InterActivity 2025 at Booth 14 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM, from May 14 – 16. Attendees can enjoy an exclusive first look at the exhibit design, visitor experience and booking details.
To sign-up and receive more information about the new MAGNA-TILES® Studio traveling exhibit, please email magnatiles@mods.org.
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*Source: Circana/Retail Tracking Service/JAN-DEC 2024/USD
The MAGNA-TILES® Studio, a rainbow-hued STEAM play space, immerses guests in learning through color, light and geometry. The traveling version of this exhibit will launch in January 2027.
A young builder from the Early Education Program explores magnetic shapes and towers in the vibrant, hands-on MAGNA-TILES® Studio.
Families engage in creative collaboration at MODS’ MAGNA-TILES® Studio, discovering the power of magnetism, design and Meaningful Play.
Young engineers test their creations using cranes and tracks in the build + TEST zone at the
MAGNA-TILES® Studio.
All photos courtesy of MODS
