Hopscotch Interactive Art Museum in SATX offers a unique and immersive experience for all ages…
With Nathan’s 40th birthday fast approaching, I’ve been thinking of his chief celebratory tenet. His priority for any given birthday is simply that we spend it differently than we do any other routine day. Between these musings and a recent update to my Fun Things to Do in NB post, I found myself thinking about his 39th and our trip to the Hopscotch museum in SATX.
At the time, Nova was 2, Orson was 3, and we felt anything but free. Finding unique, spontaneous, and family-friendly excursions to celebrate Nathan felt like a big ask. I accepted the challenge (as any doting wife would) and began my hunt for suitable options… Until I found it: Hopscotch, an interactive art museum in San Antonio.
The San Antonio location gave me pause… No hate, just the recognition that while SATX has some to offer, a lot of the city has seen better days. Fight me. I submit to you a couple evidential examples: Paesano’s on the Riverwalk, the Riverwalk Rainforest Cafe, and the abysmal Magic Time Machine. Even the Riverwalk itself seems poorly maintained and far too touristy…
Sorry, not sorry.
I digress…
This Hopscotch museum appealed to these two creatives and seemed family-friendly enough. I mean, one of the prime exhibits is a massive, ethereal ball pit! Added bonus? Kids 3 and under are free. We’ll take our chances for that! We’re in!
Hop, Skip, and a Jump
Nathan’s birthday arrived, and we made our way to the Hopscotch museum, not entirely sure what to expect but excited for a fresh experience with our littles.
To clarify, Hopscotch is more of an art installation than a museum. Much like MOIC in Austin, Hopscotch could also be classified as an “experium”. Though, while I’m on that subject, it’s safe to say that Hopscotch wildly outshines Museum of Ice Cream on every level.
The ultimate goal of an experium is to provide a powerful and engaging, uniquely memorable experience. Hopscotch did just that for us. It was thought-provoking and evocative. It aroused curiosity and interest. And, had we made it a date for the two of us, we certainly would’ve enjoyed it to its fullest.
On that note…
With such a retrospective review, it’s been encouraging to acknowledge how much we’ve grown as a family.
Nathan and I aren’t as in our heads about a lot of things, and Orson and Nova are slightly better at listening. We can lean more into experiences and enjoy them for what they presently offer. Resist the spiral into spending the entire time worrying about what other people are thinking. Yes, discipline in the moments it’s required, but still leave room for joy.
Parents of toddlers, it can be daunting stepping into a new experience, having little knowledge of what to expect. Sure, family-friendly and interactive, but what does that mean when the patrons are impulsive 2 and 3-year-olds? When it’s not specifically curated for kids, how much touching is actually allowed??
Looking back, times were stressful and we were all pretty tightly wound. Pasted to the ceiling. And we carried that energy into our Hopscotch museum experience. Trying to corral our intrigued tots when we could have taken a deep, grounding breath and tapped into the wonder with them.
Whimsy and Wonder
Full of wonder it was. There were so many things that we appreciated about the Hopscotch museum. The interior is very free-roam, making the experience feel self-driven and liberating. Take it at the pace your prefer, in whatever order moves you, and immerse yourself in each of the showcased exhibits.
At any given time within this art museum, Hopscotch hosts 15 thoughtfully-curated, immersive exhibits. Hopscotch actively collaborates with artists from all over the globe to encourage and promote new and emerging talent. To keep the experience fresh, unique, and deeply engaging, a couple exhibits are replaced per year and lounge menus are updated as needed.
Speaking of our personal experience, I know we could have had even more fun. But that was in no part the fault of Hopscotch. As I said, we were tightly wound and in “herding cats” mode, too distracted to fully be immersed. At least, at first.
The longer we explored, however, the more we began to accept what the experience had to offer: “respite from the outside world” and a goal to “invoke a sense of joy and wonder“.
We’d opted to save the most kid-friendly exhibits, the glowy, LED ball pit and the “Quantum Trampoline”, for last…
By the time we started these activities, one thing was clear: a goal at Hopscotch museum is to reclaim youth for a tired, burned-out generation. To feel young again… Or to tap into a childhood you feel you never had. Yes, these particular exhibits were kid-friendly overall, but they were so much more. They offered an inviting playground for adults to frolic and feel free.
It was magical. Perfect for my hubby’s birthday, and perfect for anyone looking for a uniquely memorable, singular, and FUN, out-of-the-box experience.
Final Thoughts: Hopscotch Museum
Pros:
Free-roam, unique, immersive exhibits. Interactive exhibits that can make a “grown-up” feel young again. At-your-own-pace exploration, but can be complete in 60-90 minutes. Pretty inexpensive tickets, especially if any in your party are 3 or under (FREE!). Discounted tickets for seniors, military, teachers, or healthcare workers.
Collaborative efforts to promote and expose local talent. Curated exhibits from local, national, and international artists that periodically rotate to keep things fresh.
Validated parking (if you park in the Travis Park Plaza Garage). Lounge with food and drink menus.
Cons:
Kid-friendly, yes, but while everything is immersive, not everything feels completely interactive. Some exhibits can be a bit overwhelming for sensory-avoiders (e.g. loud music & bright, flashing lights).