Boston Children’s Museum is hosting 'The Pigeon Comes to Boston! A Mo Willems Exhibit,' a family-friendly installation built around Willems’ characters and books. The show runs through Jan. 3, 2027, bringing his picture-book world into a walk-through format.
The exhibit was co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Visitors can meet Elephant and Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, The Pigeon, and other favorites through hands-on stations that mix art, play, and storytelling.
Activities include a double-sided phone booth conversation, old-time animation, a wearable bus ride, a laundromat reveal, a dress-up fashion show, foam hot dog launches, and a plinko game. It gives kids a tactile way to move through Willems’ stories, which fits the growing appetite for museum experiences that feel playful and interactive.
Image Credit: Boston Children's Museum
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Storybook Immersion
- Beloved children’s books are becoming walk-through environments that extend publishing IP into tactile, repeatable family attractions.
- Play-based Exhibits
- Museums are blending physical games, role play, and creative stations to make cultural programming feel more participatory for young visitors.
- Character-led Learning
- Familiar illustrated characters provide accessible anchors for literacy, emotional expression, and arts education in experiential settings.
Sectors Adopting This
- Children’s Museums
- Interactive literary installations create fresh programming models that support repeat visitation, partnerships, and family-centered engagement.
- Publishing
- Picture-book franchises can expand beyond the page through licensed exhibits that deepen audience relationships and open new revenue channels.
- Experiential Entertainment
- Hands-on adaptations of recognizable stories signal demand for low-tech, sensory-rich attractions designed for children and caregivers.
