Something magical just landed on the lawn of Independence Mall — and it’s made entirely for little dreamers. The National Constitution Center has opened Be a Civic Hero!, its first-ever experience created especially for young children and their families, and it’s completely free. This joyful outdoor installation transforms the Center’s front lawn into a playful landscape where kids discover their own “civic strengths”: kindness, courage, curiosity, and teamwork.
Created in partnership with Playful Learning Landscapes and Watchdog Project Management, the installation is one of 11 Play Places popping up across Philadelphia in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Families can create their own civic heroes, connect constitutional principles to everyday life, explore the landmarks of Independence Mall, and browse a brand-new little free library stocked with more than 100 children’s books — donated by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and HarperCollins Children’s Books — that introduce young readers to history and civic life.
“Children’s earliest civic lessons begin long before they enter a classroom,” said Julie Silverbrook, the Center’s chief content and learning officer. “They begin in everyday moments when children learn to listen to others, work together, ask questions, solve problems, and discover that their choices can make a difference.”
Using the science of playful learning, the space celebrates the “civic superheroes” who shaped the country while asking kids to embody values like bravery, compromise, and teamwork. Grab the kids, head to 525 Arch Street, and let them discover that even the youngest Philadelphian has the power to make a difference.
Photo: National Constitution Center
