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Building for Kids opens new castle-themed traveling exhibit

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 1:25 GMT by Fox 11 News
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Building for Kids Unveils Castle‑Themed Traveling Exhibit, Taking Learning on the Road

Fayetteville, Ark. – In a vibrant mix of history, technology, and imagination, the Building for Kids (B4K) foundation opened its newest attraction, a castle‑themed traveling exhibit, on Tuesday afternoon at the historic 1917 Fox Theater in downtown Fayetteville. The three‑hour showcase, which is scheduled to tour schools, libraries, and community centers across Northwest Arkansas over the next six months, is the latest innovation from a nonprofit that has spent the past decade turning hands‑on STEM education into a staple of the region’s curriculum.

A Medieval Marvel on the Move

The exhibit, titled “Castle Quest: Build, Explore, and Discover,” transports visitors to a medieval castle through a series of interactive stations that blend old‑world intrigue with cutting‑edge science. At its heart lies a life‑size, inflatable keep that serves as a portal into the exhibit’s narrative. Inside, kids can test the strength of different materials by attempting to erect their own “tower” with modular blocks that mimic historical building techniques, or they can challenge their spatial reasoning by navigating a maze that represents a castle’s winding corridors.

One of the most talked‑about features is the “Archery Lab,” where children learn about projectile motion while shooting foam arrows at targets. A simple, child‑friendly demonstration of Newton’s laws of motion shows how different angles and release speeds affect the trajectory, turning a classic pastime into a tangible lesson in physics. Behind the target area, a touch‑screen station lets kids design their own archery crossbows, then run a virtual test to see how their design performs against a set of obstacles.

For the younger age group (3‑7 years), B4K has installed a “Knight’s Workshop” that incorporates building blocks, puzzle pieces, and a low‑tech digital screen that projects simple animation. Kids can build a small bridge over a “river” of foam and watch the animation show how their construction holds up when a “rain” of paper boats passes over it. The bridge’s stability is explained in plain language, allowing even the youngest participants to grasp basic engineering concepts.

The exhibit’s “Royal Library” section gives a taste of medieval learning. Here, kids can read short, illustrated stories about the role of castles in history, supplemented by a digital “timeline” that explains how castles evolved with the advent of gunpowder and modern warfare. Interactive quizzes and a “castle trivia” game reward kids for remembering facts such as the first known castle in the United States, the Castle of the Knights Templar, and the strategic importance of the Great Wall of China.

Designed with STEM in Mind

“Castle Quest isn’t just about castles; it’s about the tools and ideas that shaped the world,” says Maria Lopez, Executive Director of Building for Kids. “We wanted to build an exhibit that is fun, accessible, and, most importantly, educational. By combining hands‑on building with real‑world science principles, we hope to ignite curiosity and confidence in children who may otherwise feel left out of STEM conversations.”

The exhibit’s design was a collaborative effort. B4K partnered with local educators from the Fayetteville‑Springdale School District to ensure the activities align with state standards for science and mathematics. Engineers from the University of Arkansas’ College of Engineering were consulted to validate the physics demonstrations, while artists from the Fayetteville Arts Council helped craft the castle’s aesthetic, ensuring that the environment is both engaging and visually stimulating.

B4K’s CEO, Thomas Green, emphasized the importance of inclusivity. “We made sure the exhibit is accessible for kids with various learning needs,” he explains. “For instance, the Archery Lab includes visual and auditory cues for children with hearing impairments, and the Knight’s Workshop features tactile elements for children with visual impairments.”

Community Backing and Partnerships

The launch was attended by local dignitaries, including Mayor Melissa Smith, Fayetteville’s City Manager, and the director of the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation. “It’s exciting to see a project that blends education, community engagement, and cultural heritage,” Mayor Smith said. “This exhibit demonstrates how public and private resources can come together to enrich our children’s lives.”

The traveling exhibit has also received a generous grant from the Arkansas Lottery Foundation, which awarded a $50,000 donation to support B4K’s outreach. The funds will be used to cover transportation costs, staffing for the next six months, and to develop a digital companion app that allows parents and teachers to follow along with the exhibit’s activities and receive downloadable lesson plans.

B4K has also secured sponsorship from local businesses, including a regional toy manufacturer that supplied safe, age‑appropriate archery equipment, and a local tech startup that developed the digital interactive displays. Together, these partnerships have allowed the foundation to deliver a polished, professional experience that rivals larger museums.

Reception and Impact

During the opening ceremony, a dozen families and school teachers walked through the exhibit and left visibly impressed. “The kids were so engaged,” said Emily Johnson, a third‑grade teacher from the Fayetteville School District. “It’s rare to see a hands‑on exhibit that’s both fun and grounded in real science. We’re already planning to bring it to our school next month.”

Early data from B4K’s pilot run at the opening indicated that 90% of children reported increased interest in learning about engineering and history, and 75% of parents felt the exhibit would encourage them to explore STEM topics at home. The foundation plans to conduct a more formal study after the tour concludes.

Looking Ahead

While Castle Quest is currently the highlight of B4K’s 2025 calendar, the organization already has plans for its next traveling exhibit. Lopez hinted at a “Space Frontier” theme that will include an interactive planetarium and a robotics workshop, aiming to keep children’s imaginations soaring.

“Building for Kids thrives on the idea that learning can be a journey,” Lopez says. “With Castle Quest, we’ve taken the first step in taking that journey into the streets of Northwest Arkansas, one castle at a time.”

For those interested in visiting the exhibit, B4K has set a schedule that includes Fayetteville’s Main Library (Sept. 15–18), Springdale’s Community Center (Sept. 22–25), and Rogers’ Public Schools (Oct. 3–6). Tickets are free for children under 12, with a small donation suggested for those who wish to support the foundation’s mission. For more details, including the full touring itinerary and an educational resource kit, visit the Building for Kids website at www.buildingforkids.org.

By Jordan Smith, Fox 11 News