Columbia families will have a fresh opportunity to express their creativity at Boyd Plaza this spring as the Columbia Museum of Art launches its “Celebrating Family Creativity through Play on the Plaza” series. Set for Saturday, May 10, 2025, this popular event transforms the public plaza into an outdoor playground of imagination for community members of all ages. The free play sessions aim to foster family bonding, encourage creative problem-solving, and provide accessible arts engagement in a casual outdoor setting.

The museum’s initiative builds upon its commitment to community accessibility and family engagement. By bringing structured creative play outside museum walls, the program reaches new audiences while eliminating barriers to arts participation. Each Saturday session throughout the spring offers children and adults the chance to collaborate, build, and explore artistic concepts through hands-on activities designed to spark conversation and creative thinking between generations.

The May 10th event will run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, giving families plenty of time to drop by and participate at their own pace. Visitors to Boyd Plaza will find an array of colorful building materials spread across the space, inviting participants to construct, design, and collaborate. The museum will offer optional design challenges for those seeking direction, while others are encouraged to follow their creative instincts, making the experience adaptable to different learning styles and interests.

What makes this event particularly special is its accessibility for participants of all ages and abilities. The building materials have been specifically selected to be manageable for young children while still engaging for teens and adults. Museum staff will be on hand to assist and inspire, but the emphasis remains on family-led creativity and discovery. Whether constructing towering structures or creating artistic patterns, the materials accommodate various motor skills and creative approaches, ensuring everyone can participate meaningfully.

These recurring Saturday events have become a valued staple in Columbia’s community calendar, creating a lively center of activity in the city. Parents report that the engineering-focused activities help children develop problem-solving skills and spatial awareness while having fun. The collaborative nature of the projects encourages families to work together, strengthening bonds through shared creative experiences that often spark conversations and laughter.

Local educators have noted the program’s impact extends beyond the day of the event. Children often bring newly discovered concepts back to their classrooms, while families incorporate creative building techniques into their home activities. The public setting of Boyd Plaza means that even passersby can observe and join in, creating spontaneous community connections. These shared experiences in public space foster a sense of community ownership and pride in Columbia’s cultural assets.

The “Play on the Plaza” event is completely free to attend, with no registration required – families can simply show up and join the creative activities. This accessibility aligns with the Columbia Museum of Art’s mission to remove barriers to arts participation for all community members. Participants should note that while the museum provides all necessary materials, the outdoor event may be canceled in case of inclement weather, so checking the museum’s social media accounts for updates is recommended.

This spring series connects to the museum’s broader family programming efforts, which include indoor activities, exhibitions designed with young visitors in mind, and educational initiatives throughout the year. The Boyd Plaza events introduce the museum’s offerings, often inspiring families to explore more of what the Columbia Museum of Art provides. For those interested in “Play on the Plaza,” the museum offers additional family-focused programs inside the main building, creating pathways for deeper engagement with the arts.