Child Museum (Cairo) facts for kids
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Location | 34, Abo Bakr EL Seddik Street Heliopolis, Cairo,  Egypt |
| Type | Children's museum. A hands-on experience of the history of Egyptian civilisation and its various subjects |
| Visitors | 400,000 children a year |
| Public transit access | Tram Station Haroun El Rashid |
The Children's Civilization and Creativity Center (Arabic: متحف الطفل بالقاهرة) is an exciting children's museum located in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. It first opened its doors in 1986 and has been updated twice, in 1996 and 2012, to make sure it's always fun and modern.
This huge museum and cultural center covers 4,000 square meters, which is about 14 football fields! It was built by the Heliopolis Society to help all children in Egypt learn and grow. Many experts from Egypt and around the world helped create this special place.
The museum was designed by teams from Egypt, the UK, and the USA. Museum specialists from all over the world helped build it. They wanted to create a place where kids and teens could learn through hands-on exhibits, interactive games, and cool computer activities. There's even a spectacular dome show that takes you on a journey through the history of science in Egypt!
In May 2012, the museum won a big award: the UK's Museum and Heritage International Award. This shows how amazing and important this center is for children's learning.
Contents
Exploring the Museum's Outdoor Areas
The adventure at the Children's Civilization and Creativity Center begins even before you step inside! The museum's entrance is on Sharia Abo Bakr El Seddik, right across from the Haroun El Rashid tram station. Look for the amazing Space Pyramidion structure, which has planet spheres circling a pyramid. It celebrates both ancient and modern Egyptian cultures.
Journey Along the Nile River
Your visit starts with a special journey down the Nile River, traveling through time and space. This outdoor path shows you how the Nile has changed Egypt's landscape over many years.
- Nile's Beginning: The journey starts at a fountain, which represents the source of the Nile in Nubia. You'll see rocks carved with dinosaurs and Basilosaurus, ancient creatures that once lived where Egypt is today.
- Ancient Animals: As you continue, you'll be greeted by hippos and crocodiles, which are descendants of those ancient animals. The path then leads to a time when the Nile's banks were like a humid jungle, and elephants roamed freely.
- Savannah and Desert: Next, you'll see how the Nile Valley started to dry out, forming savannahs where lions, giraffes, and gazelles appeared. The path then reaches the Pharaonic period, where the landscape becomes a desert. You'll find a small oasis garden with a desert camp.
- Egyptian Gardens: Along the Nile, there's an Egyptian garden with 'T' shaped pools filled with lotus and papyrus plants. This shows the many different plants grown in ancient Egypt.
- Modern Landscape: The path continues past a medieval Nile village and into the modern landscape of Heliopolis. This is where the new museum building and cinema are located.
- Delta and Coast: Finally, the path leads to the Nile Delta landscape, with a fun Alexandria seaside resort. There's also a covered Roman theater for outdoor shows.
This outdoor garden path is full of mature trees, making it a shady and calm place. It helps get your imagination ready for all the learning inside the museum! The garden also has living displays of birds, butterflies, and fish. There's even an outdoor excavation area where you can pretend to be an archaeologist!
Outdoor Facilities for Visitors
The museum has a large cafeteria where schools, families, and visitors can relax and eat. This means you can easily stay for the whole day! Outdoor classroom spaces are perfect for creative activities and music. The cinema shows 3D educational films and can also host conferences. There's also a book shop where you can find learning materials.
Inside the Museum: Four Floors of Discovery
The museum's indoor exhibits are spread across four different floors. These floors are connected by a central spiral staircase called the "Time Stair." This staircase takes you on a journey from the roof all the way down to the basement! Each floor has a special theme to explore:
Where Did I Come From?
This floor lets you explore the amazing archaeology and history of Egypt. You can learn about the pyramids, visit a replica of Tutankhamun's tomb, and even practice examining mummies. You'll also learn about modern archaeological digs and underwater exploration in Alexandria.
Who Am I?
On this floor, you'll discover how Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River. The exhibits are divided into the three main seasons of the Nile: the flood season, the sowing season (when crops are planted), and the harvest season (when crops are gathered).
Why Is Egypt Like It Is Today?
This section helps you understand how modern Egypt developed. You'll see a panorama of Egyptian landscapes and learn about environmental issues. It also shows how people today can help make Egypt even better.
What Is Egypt's Future?
This exciting floor looks at the history of science in Egypt. There's a hands-on exhibit where you can explore stars, ships, astrolabes (old tools for astronomy), telescopes, airplanes, and even space travel! There's also an immersive 4D dome show. In this show, famous Egyptian pioneers appear to tell the story of science and encourage you to be part of Egypt's future.
The museum is open every day except Friday, from 9 AM to 2 PM.
See also
- List of museums in Egypt
