Health Focus At New Children's Museum Experience

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will launch a 7.5 acre exhibit this weekend that promotes family fitness. The museum teamed with Riley Childrens' Hospital and hopes to be a national leader in this field.

The indoor/outdoor Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience aims to get children excited about good health habits. 

Riley President Mathew Cook says the hospital partnered with the museum to combat the state's poor health trends.

"We have high rates of obesity, smoking, Type 2 diabetes in kids and adults and this is really about getting kids active, understanding the importance of that as well as nutrition," says Cook. 

There are large fields to play basketball, football, hockey, golf and soccer.  All of the areas combine sports activities with educational programming to provide health lessons, including information on exercise, hydration and nutrition.  

Children's Museum director of collections Chris Carron says families will get lessons on fitness. 

"A big part of the Sports Legends experience is just introducing a variety of sports to families as an opportunity to be healthy," says Carron. 

Riley experts reviewed and advised equipment, interactives and activities for the experience.

The exhibit opens March 17.