# Hands-On Picture Book Exhibits Boston Children's Museum Hosts The Mo Willems Exhibit By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-09-17 | About Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hands-on-picture-book-exhibits References: [toybook](https://toybook.com/the-pigeon-flies-to-boston-for-new-exhibit)  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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/books-as-objects) into a [walk-through format](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-football-is-freedom). 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 ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.7/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 91% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [About](https://www.trendhunter.com/about) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Co-Branded Toy Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidden-pigeon-company.md) - [Reimagined Art Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/there-when-it-mattered-most.md) - [Toy Building Block Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-exhibition.md) - [Family Restaurant Picture Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chuck-e-cheese-and-genius-cat-books.md) - [Educational History Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archives-exhibition.md) - [Playful Button-Focused Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beau-mccall.md) - [Indoor Art Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-playground-1.md) - [Education-Focused Children's Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/childrens-art-museum.md) - [Antique Children's Carousel Attractions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antique-childrens-carousel.md)