How to Explore Madam Walker Kids Exhibits Indianapolis

Indianapolis is home to one of the most inspiring cultural landmarks in the United States: the Madam C.J. Walker Building. While the building is widely recognized for its historic role in African American entrepreneurship and the legacy of America’s first self-made female millionaire, many visitors overlook its vibrant and thoughtfully curated children’s exhibits. These exhibits are not mere side attractions—they are dynamic, educational spaces designed to introduce young minds to themes of innovation, resilience, financial literacy, and social justice through interactive storytelling, hands-on activities, and immersive design. Exploring the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits in Indianapolis is more than a family outing; it is an opportunity to connect children with powerful narratives of Black excellence, creativity, and community empowerment. Whether you’re a local parent, a teacher planning a field trip, or a visitor seeking meaningful cultural experiences, understanding how to navigate and maximize your time at these exhibits can transform a simple visit into a lasting educational milestone.

The Madam Walker Kids Exhibits are uniquely positioned to bridge historical legacy with modern pedagogy. Unlike traditional museum displays that rely on static plaques and glass cases, these exhibits are built around play, discovery, and dialogue. They encourage children to ask questions, solve problems, and imagine themselves as future changemakers—just like Madam C.J. Walker. In an era where representation in children’s education remains uneven, these exhibits fill a critical gap by centering African American girls and boys as protagonists of history, science, and business. This tutorial provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to exploring these exhibits with intention, depth, and joy. You’ll learn practical strategies for planning your visit, best practices for engagement, essential tools and resources, real-life examples of successful experiences, and answers to frequently asked questions—all designed to help you make the most of this one-of-a-kind cultural offering.

Step-by-Step Guide

Exploring the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits requires more than just showing up—it demands thoughtful preparation and intentional engagement. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a rich, rewarding experience for both children and adults.

Step 1: Research the Exhibits Before You Go

Begin your journey by visiting the official Madam C.J. Walker Building website. Look specifically for the “Youth & Family Programs” or “Kids Exhibits” section. Here, you’ll find current exhibit themes, age recommendations, and seasonal offerings. Exhibits rotate periodically, so knowing what’s on display during your planned visit is crucial. For example, one season might feature “Building a Business: Madam Walker’s Hair Care Empire,” while another could highlight “The Science of Hair and Health” or “Dream Builders: Young Innovators Then and Now.”

Download or print any available exhibit guides or activity sheets. Many of these materials are designed for children to complete during their visit, turning passive observation into active learning. These guides often include puzzles, matching games, and reflection prompts that reinforce key concepts like entrepreneurship, perseverance, and self-worth.

Step 2: Choose the Right Time to Visit

Timing significantly impacts the quality of your experience. Weekday mornings—especially between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.—are typically the quietest. This allows children to move freely through exhibits without crowds, giving them space to explore, touch, and engage without feeling rushed. Avoid weekends if your goal is a calm, immersive experience, as family groups and school tours tend to peak during these hours.

Also, check the calendar for “Family Discovery Days,” which occur monthly and feature special activities like storytelling, craft stations, and live demonstrations. These events are ideal for deeper engagement but require early registration. If you’re bringing a group of more than five children, contact the education department in advance to schedule a private guided tour.

Step 3: Prepare Your Children

Before arriving, introduce your children to Madam C.J. Walker in age-appropriate ways. For younger children (ages 3–7), read picture books like “The Story of Madam C.J. Walker” by A’Lelia Bundles or “I Am Madame Walker” by Ntozake Shange. For older children (ages 8–12), watch short animated videos from the Walker Building’s YouTube channel that summarize her life and legacy.

Frame the visit as an adventure: “Today, we’re going to see how a woman turned a simple hair product into a business that helped thousands of women earn their own money.” Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think she had to overcome to succeed?” or “How would you invent something that helps people?” This primes their curiosity and sets the stage for meaningful interaction with the exhibits.

Step 4: Navigate the Exhibits with Purpose

Upon arrival, head straight to the Kids Exhibits wing, located on the second floor. The space is divided into three core zones: “The Workshop,” “The Dream Lab,” and “The Legacy Garden.” Each zone serves a distinct educational purpose.

• The Workshop is a hands-on simulation of Madam Walker’s early production room. Children can use replica tools to mix “hair tonic” (safe, non-toxic ingredients), measure ingredients, and label jars. This zone teaches basic STEM concepts like volume, measurement, and cause-and-effect.
• The Dream Lab features interactive digital kiosks where kids design their own business cards, create slogans for imaginary products, and solve “Entrepreneur Challenges” (e.g., “How would you raise $500 to start your business?”). This zone introduces financial literacy and critical thinking.
• The Legacy Garden is a quiet, reflective space with portraits of young Black innovators throughout history—from George Washington Carver to modern-day tech founders. Children can press buttons to hear audio stories and leave handwritten notes on a “My Dream” wall.

Encourage children to move through each zone at their own pace. Allow them to revisit favorite stations. Avoid rushing—deep learning happens through repetition and personal connection.

Step 5: Engage with Staff and Volunteers

The educators and docents who staff the Kids Exhibits are specially trained to work with children and often have background in early childhood development or African American history. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions. They can tailor explanations to your child’s age, suggest extension activities, or even share lesser-known stories about Madam Walker’s work with the National Association of Colored Women.

Many staff members will initiate conversations with children, asking them, “What would you invent if you could help people?” or “Who inspires you to be brave?” These interactions are powerful and often become the most memorable part of the visit.

Step 6: Extend the Experience After the Visit

Learning doesn’t end when you leave the building. After your visit, revisit the activity sheets and discuss what your child enjoyed most. Ask them to draw their own “Dream Product” or write a short paragraph: “If I were an entrepreneur like Madam Walker, I would…”

Create a “Family Innovation Journal” where you document ideas, discoveries, and questions that arise over the next week. You might even try a simple at-home project, like making a natural hair balm together using coconut oil and beeswax, then labeling it with your child’s name and a tagline.

Consider writing a thank-you note to the exhibit team. Children can draw pictures or dictate messages. This reinforces gratitude and civic engagement while deepening their sense of connection to the space.

Best Practices

To ensure your visit to the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits is not only enjoyable but also educationally impactful, adopt these proven best practices. These strategies are grounded in child development research, museum pedagogy, and cultural responsiveness.

Practice 1: Prioritize Child-Led Exploration

Allow children to choose which exhibits to engage with first. Forcing a linear path through the space can stifle curiosity. Instead, observe their interests—do they linger at the mixing station? Are they drawn to the audio stories? Follow their lead. Children retain information better when they feel agency over their learning.

Practice 2: Use Open-Ended Questions

Replace yes/no questions with prompts that invite reflection. Instead of asking, “Did you like the hair tonic station?” try, “What do you think was the hardest part of starting a business back then?” or “How is making a product today different from how Madam Walker did it?” Open-ended questions activate higher-order thinking and help children articulate connections between history and their own lives.

Practice 3: Emphasize Representation and Identity

Use the exhibits as a springboard to discuss identity. Point out that Madam Walker was a Black woman who succeeded in a time when few had opportunities. Ask, “Why do you think it mattered that she hired other Black women?” or “How does it feel to see someone who looks like you on the wall, building something big?” These conversations build self-esteem and cultural pride, especially for children of color.

Practice 4: Limit Screen Time, Maximize Touch and Talk

While digital kiosks are engaging, the most powerful learning occurs through tactile experiences and conversation. Encourage children to touch the replica tools, smell the ingredients (when safe), and handle the fabric samples. Pair these activities with dialogue: “What do you think this tool was used for?” “How heavy does it feel?”

Practice 5: Connect Exhibits to Real-World Skills

Explicitly link what children experience to life skills. For example, after the “Dream Lab” business challenge, say: “That’s the same thing entrepreneurs do—they solve problems and make things people need.” Or after the Legacy Garden: “People who change the world often start with a small idea and a lot of courage.” These connections help children see learning as relevant, not abstract.

Practice 6: Be Inclusive and Culturally Responsive

Recognize that not all children come from backgrounds familiar with Madam Walker’s story. Avoid assumptions. If a child asks, “Who was she again?” respond with simple, affirming language: “She was a woman who created something amazing and helped others do the same.” Celebrate curiosity over prior knowledge.

Practice 7: Plan for Sensory Needs

The Kids Exhibits are designed to be sensory-rich, but some children may need accommodations. The space includes quiet corners, noise-canceling headphones upon request, and visual schedules available at the front desk. If your child has sensory sensitivities, call ahead to request a personalized visit plan. Staff are trained to adapt experiences to ensure all children can participate fully.

Tools and Resources

Maximizing your visit to the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits requires more than just showing up—it requires the right tools and resources to enhance learning before, during, and after your time at the site. Below is a curated list of essential materials, both digital and physical, to support your exploration.

Official Resources from the Madam C.J. Walker Building

The building’s education department offers a robust suite of free, downloadable resources:

• Family Activity Pack – A 12-page PDF with coloring pages, word searches, and reflection questions aligned with exhibit themes. Available in English and Spanish.
• Exhibit Guide for Educators – Designed for teachers and homeschoolers, this guide includes Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards correlations.
• Virtual Tour Video Series – A 15-minute walkthrough of the Kids Exhibits, narrated by a child educator. Ideal for pre-visit orientation or for families unable to visit in person.
• Madam Walker Storybook App – An interactive, illustrated app featuring animated scenes from Madam Walker’s life, with voice narration and clickable hotspots that reveal historical facts.

All resources are accessible at madamwalkerbuilding.org/kids.

Supplemental Books and Media

Expand learning beyond the exhibits with these carefully selected titles:

• “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker” by A’Lelia Bundles – A comprehensive biography suitable for parents and older children. Includes photographs and primary sources.
• “The Hair Club” by Kekla Magoon – A fictional story about a group of girls who start a hair care business, inspired by Madam Walker’s legacy.
• “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers – A beautifully illustrated affirmation book that complements the exhibit’s themes of self-worth and confidence.
• “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison – A collection of short biographies perfect for bedtime reading.

Local Partnerships and Community Programs

Several Indianapolis organizations partner with the Madam Walker Building to offer extended learning opportunities:

• Indianapolis Public Library – Hosts monthly “Madam Walker Story Hours” at branch libraries, featuring themed crafts and read-alouds.
• Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Offers a joint ticket package that includes admission to both institutions, with a special “Dream Builder” passport for kids to collect stamps at each location.
• Indiana Historical Society – Provides free classroom kits on African American entrepreneurship, which include replica artifacts and lesson plans.

Technology Tools for Enhanced Engagement

Use these free digital tools to deepen understanding:

• Google Arts & Culture – Search “Madam C.J. Walker” to access high-resolution images of her original products, advertisements, and home.
• Quizlet – Search “Madam Walker Kids Exhibits” for flashcards created by local educators on key terms like “entrepreneur,” “self-made,” and “community uplift.”
• Padlet – Create a digital wall where children can post drawings or voice recordings of what they learned. Share it with classmates or family.

Printable and DIY Activity Kits

Create your own extension activities at home:

• DIY Hair Balm Kit – Mix 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 tablespoon beeswax, and 5 drops lavender oil. Pour into small tins. Label with your child’s name and a slogan.
• Business Card Design Challenge – Use index cards to design a product for a fictional business. Include a name, logo, and one-sentence pitch.
• Timeline of Dreams – Draw a timeline on butcher paper. Add Madam Walker’s milestones, then add your child’s own goals (“I want to learn to code,” “I want to help animals,” etc.).

Real Examples

Real-life experiences bring theory to life. Below are three detailed examples of families and educators who have successfully explored the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits—and how their visits transformed their understanding of history, learning, and empowerment.

Example 1: The Johnson Family – A First Visit That Sparked a Passion

Four-year-old Maya and her parents, Tanya and Jamal, visited the exhibits on a quiet Tuesday morning. Tanya had read about the building in a local parenting blog but wasn’t sure how it would resonate with a toddler. They started in The Workshop, where Maya spent 20 minutes pouring “tonic” into jars and labeling them with crayons. She named her product “Maya’s Magic Balm.”

Later, in The Dream Lab, she pressed a button that played a recording of Madam Walker saying, “I didn’t wait for someone to give me a chance—I made my own.” Maya paused, looked at her mom, and said, “I can make my own thing too.”

That night, Maya drew a picture of herself with a hairbrush and a crown. Her parents framed it and hung it above her desk. A year later, Maya started a “Little Business Club” at her preschool, where kids trade handmade bookmarks. Her parents credit the exhibit for sparking her confidence in her own ideas.

Example 2: Ms. Rivera’s 4th Grade Class – A Field Trip That Changed the Curriculum

Ms. Rivera, a public school teacher in Indianapolis, brought her class of 28 students on a field trip to the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits. Before the visit, she taught a unit on community heroes. Afterward, she redesigned her entire social studies curriculum around entrepreneurship.

Students created “Dream Businesses” based on problems they saw in their neighborhoods—a lunch delivery service for seniors, a recycling program for used crayons, a neighborhood story hour. They presented their ideas to the class using business cards they designed in The Dream Lab.

One student, Jalen, created “Jalen’s Clean Air Candles,” made from soy wax and essential oils, to help his grandmother with asthma. His project was featured in the local newspaper. Ms. Rivera now partners with the Walker Building to host an annual “Young Innovator Fair,” where students showcase their creations.

Example 3: The Thompson Grandparents – Intergenerational Learning

Eight-year-old Elijah and his grandparents, Carol and Robert, visited the exhibits together. Robert, a retired mechanic, was skeptical about the value of a “kids’ exhibit.” But as they moved through The Workshop, he noticed Elijah was fascinated by the measuring cups and mixing tools.

“You know,” Robert said, “I used to measure oil and grease the same way when I fixed cars.”

That moment sparked a conversation about precision, patience, and pride in craftsmanship. In The Legacy Garden, Elijah read about a Black inventor who created a better ironing board. Robert, who had never heard of him, was moved. “I didn’t know people like us made things that helped everyone,” he said.

By the end of the visit, Robert had taken photos of every exhibit and planned to show them to his church group. Carol started a monthly “History & Hugs” gathering at their home, where grandchildren share stories they’ve learned. The visit didn’t just educate Elijah—it deepened family bonds and bridged generational gaps.

FAQs

Are the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits suitable for toddlers?

Yes. The exhibits are designed for children ages 3–12, with specific zones tailored to different developmental stages. The Workshop includes tactile, sensory-rich activities ideal for toddlers, while older children engage with problem-solving challenges in The Dream Lab. Staff are trained to adapt explanations for younger visitors.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

General admission to the Madam Walker Building and Kids Exhibits is free, but timed entry is recommended on weekends and during Family Discovery Days. You can reserve your spot online at madamwalkerbuilding.org/kids. No fee is required.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes. The building is fully accessible, with elevators, wide pathways, and stroller parking near the exhibit entrance. Strollers are welcome in all exhibit areas.

How long should I plan to spend at the Kids Exhibits?

Most families spend 60–90 minutes exploring the exhibits thoroughly. If you’re participating in a guided tour or attending a Family Discovery Day event, plan for up to two hours. Allow extra time for photos, reflection, and visiting the gift shop.

Are there food options nearby?

The building does not have an on-site café, but there are several family-friendly restaurants within a five-minute walk, including Sweetwater’s Kitchen and The Pita Pit. Picnic tables are available in the adjacent Walker Park.

Can homeschoolers use the exhibits for curriculum credit?

Yes. The education department provides printable lesson plans aligned with Indiana state standards for social studies, science, and language arts. These can be used to document experiential learning hours. Contact education@madamwalkerbuilding.org for a curriculum packet.

Are the exhibits available in languages other than English?

Yes. Key exhibit labels and activity sheets are available in Spanish. Audio guides for The Legacy Garden are available in both English and Spanish. Staff can also provide translation assistance upon request.

Is photography allowed?

Photography is encouraged for personal use. Flash photography and tripods are not permitted to protect artifacts and maintain a calm environment. Selfie stations are provided in The Legacy Garden for memorable photos.

Conclusion

Exploring the Madam Walker Kids Exhibits in Indianapolis is not simply a visit to a museum—it is an invitation to reimagine history, ignite curiosity, and nurture the next generation of innovators. Through interactive design, culturally rich storytelling, and intentional pedagogy, these exhibits transform abstract lessons about entrepreneurship and resilience into tangible, emotional experiences for children. Whether your child is five or fifteen, the space welcomes them to see themselves as part of a legacy of courage, creativity, and community.

By following the step-by-step guide, adopting best practices, utilizing the recommended tools, and learning from real-life examples, you can turn a single afternoon into a lifelong source of inspiration. The Madam Walker Kids Exhibits remind us that history is not confined to textbooks—it lives in the questions children ask, the ideas they create, and the dreams they dare to name.

Plan your visit. Bring your curiosity. Let your child lead the way. And remember: every great movement begins with a single idea—and sometimes, that idea is sparked in a quiet room in Indianapolis, where a little girl presses a button, hears Madam Walker’s voice, and whispers, “I can do that too.”