5 things to know about the 'Barbie' exhibit opening at COSI on Oct. 4

Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch
·5 min read
The interactive "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit, which will open at COSI on Oct. 4, allows youngsters to try their hands at career experiences like being a pilot.
The interactive "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit, which will open at COSI on Oct. 4, allows youngsters to try their hands at career experiences like being a pilot.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Everything's coming up Barbie!

At least that's how it seems since the July 21 release of the surprise cinematic smash starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. As if Barbie didn't already have enough accessories, the movie has spawned so much related merchandise that everywhere you turn, it's like you're viewing the world through pastel pink-colored glasses.

Even Starbucks offers a Barbie frappuccino, although it's not an official menu item. But it's all over TikTok, so it must be a "thing."

The birth of Barbie: Who created Barbie? Get to know the history, facts of the iconic doll's origins

Don't count on the summer sensation dying down when the season ends, since COSI will jump on the Barbie bandwagon with its first exhibit of the fall. "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience," opens on Oct. 4 and runs through Jan. 7.

"This is first and foremost an early childhood education experience," said Kristy Williams, COSI's director of communications. "The movie may be for adults, but this is more geared toward little kids. Adults can enjoy it, but the activities are more like our 'Doc McStuffins' exhibit."

Visitors can hang ten and learn what it's like to be a pro surfer as part of "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience," an exhibit opening at COSI on Oct. 4,
Visitors can hang ten and learn what it's like to be a pro surfer as part of "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience," an exhibit opening at COSI on Oct. 4,

Like "Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit," the "Barbie" experience is an adventure that emphasizes imaginative, hands-on play. Young COSI visitors will be immersed in the colorful Barbie-verse while discovering their interests at different stations, where they can explore the many jobs Barbie's held since her debut on March 9, 1959.

"Kids can try on a career to see what fits," Williams said. "This is a good opportunity for kids to go through and see what they might be inspired by."

Can't wait until October to visit "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience?" To tide you over until then, here are five things to know about the exhibit.

1. The exhibit isn't related to the movie

"Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" has no ties to the "Barbie" movie, but the two do share a common relative. Barbie doll creator Mattel, Inc., which teamed up with The Children's Museum of Indianapolis to create the exhibit, also partnered with Warner Bros., distributors of the $1 billion-plus-grossing "Barbie" movie.

2. Barbie could make a career out of job-hopping

In her 60-plus years of existence, Barbie has pursued more than 250 careers. She's literally done it all from A to Z: actor, artist, astronaut, art teacher, animal rescuer, Army medic, architect, Avon representative, aerobics instructor, aircraft engineer, astrophysicist, zookeeper and zoologist.

Barbie has famously delved into the fashion world as a designer, editor, model and trend forecaster; shown off her footwork as a ballerina, ballroom dancer, and Rockette; and worked more chef and fast-food jobs than you can shake a spatula at. She's even been a politician, running for commander-in-chief in nearly every presidential election since 1992.

The many faces of Barbie: Here's an illustrated look at the doll's evolution

While there won't be hundreds of job stations at COSI's exhibit, the pickings won't exactly be slim, either. "There will be a jungle with a Jeep, so kids can see if adventure is their style, as well as an airline pilot, a surfer area, and an archaeology area," Williams said, listing just a few of the career options.

"They can try different activities from adventuring to nurturing to see what part of the Barbie universe they belong to."

Activities in COSI's "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit will include a station where kids can be wildlife photographers.
Activities in COSI's "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit will include a station where kids can be wildlife photographers.

3. It's not all about classic blonde Barbie

"When you think about Barbie, you get a certain image, but (the exhibit) is completely different than what I thought it would be," said Williams, who viewed "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

"There are tons of dolls on display, including rare ones. There are important women all through the exhibit — Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson and many others — inspiring, real-life female role models. There are so many different iconic Barbies to look up to, to see what Barbie is like as a boss lady."

4. The exhibit ties into a larger initiative

"Barbie You Can Be Anything" is linked to Mattel's initiatives to empower girls, such as the corporation's Dream Gap Project, designed to help reverse the stereotypes and societal biases about what young girls can and can't do.

The multifaceted project includes STEM activities, 250-plus Career Dolls and a line of "sheroes" — dolls based on real-life female role models ranging from journalists, athletes and astronauts to CEOs, activists and medical professionals.

Retro Barbies: He owns 300 perfect, vintage, in-box Barbies. This is the story of how it happened

Among Mattel's most recent "sheroes" are tennis player Naomi Osaka; late Afro-Cuban salsa star Celia Cruz; and the Wojcicki sisters — Susan, former longtime YouTube CEO; Janet, an anthropologist and epidemiologist; and Anne, CEO and co-founder of 23andMe.

5. The 'Barbie' exhibit isn't just for girls

“This exhibit is for girls and boys. Both girls and boys can learn about women in history through the Barbie lens. We absolutely encourage people to bring kids of all ages, no matter who they are,” Williams said. “COSI is for everybody.”

After choosing a career at the "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit, young participants can have their photo taken with a backdrop depicting their profession. The exhibit will open at COSI on Oct. 4.
After choosing a career at the "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" exhibit, young participants can have their photo taken with a backdrop depicting their profession. The exhibit will open at COSI on Oct. 4.

What to know when you go

Admission to "Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience" is included with admission to COSI, which is $25 for ages 13 and older; $20 for ages 2-12; $23 for 60 and older, as well as military adults; and $18 for military youth ages 2-12. Those 60 and older, and military personnel and family must have valid ID. Children younger than 2 are admitted for free.

Hours at COSI, 333 W. Broad St., are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The center will close on Sept. 5 and reopen with the "Barbie" exhibit on Oct. 4. For more information, visit cosi.org or call 614-228-2674.

Five fast, fun facts

  • Barbie was named after creator Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and Ken after her son, Kenneth.

  • Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

  • Barbie traveled into space in 1965, four years before man walked on the moon.

  • Barbie was 41 years old before she had a belly button.

  • Barbie and Ken broke up in 2004 and reunited on Valentine's Day 2011, when "Barbie" told Facebook fans that her "heart only beats for Ken."

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Five things to know about 'Barbie You Can Be Anything' exhibit at COSI