This educational design space, a former industrial workshop, is enhanced by kaleidoscopic patterns, natural materials, and contrasting sleek blackened-glass surfaces. Street-inspired material touches, such as simple plywood and sterling board, give the space an edgy, playful, and welcoming feel. The Kids Museum of Glass is an exciting addition to the ever-growing Shanghai Museum of Glass Park, one of Shanghai’s trendsetting creative hubs.

The exhibition is built up as a ‘glass city’, consisting of different units that are themed with easy-to-grasp analogies, such as ‘The Beach’, ‘The Circus’, and ‘The Factory’. Children are confronted with bite-sized information while playing with different glass‑themed installations. The museum experience is intuition-based and invites children to explore the topic of glass independently. Easy-to‑use multimedia installations tempt children to explore and play: simple actions and gestures allow them to discover things like how lightning can create glass, how a glass prism works, or what smart glass is. Between playing and learning, children can relax and watch a film in the integrated ‘Fire Theatre’ or ‘Up-Cycling Theatre’. Creative kids can practice their sketching skills by drawing an art piece on the spot in one of the ‘Draw Me’ installations. The DIY Workshop offers a wide range of children-specific workshops. Additionally, the Kids Museum of Glass has a dedicated multifunctional space where public educational programs, private parties or group DIY workshops can be held. With an integrated café, where visitors take a rest while visiting.

Sustainability and the well-being were fully considered as factors in the design process. The colourful museum space is a reused building that has special air filters to guarantee clean and healthy air during playtime. All materials within the space are chosen with a sustainable outlook, to ensure a better tomorrow for the young visitors that engage with space.

A playground, an art space, a second classroom, and an event venue: altogether, the Kids Museum of Glass is a multifunctional and exciting new experience, which aims to become the new cultural destination for families with children in Shanghai and beyond.