Imagination Playground is proud to recognize Nancy Shultz, Founder and Executive Director of the Galveston Children’s Museum in Galveston, Texas, as our Summer 2022 Block Champion. Through her commitment to open-ended play, child-led learning, and creative exploration, Nancy has helped create a museum environment where children and families can build, collaborate, and imagine freely using Imagination Playground Big Blue Blocks.
Nancy first discovered the iconic Blue Blocks through Imagination Playground’s sponsorship of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Interactivity Conference. Inspired by the possibilities of large-scale loose-parts play, she immediately knew the blocks would become an important part of the museum’s vision. Shortly after opening, the Galveston Children’s Museum received a local foundation grant that made it possible to bring the Blue Blocks into the museum’s play spaces.
Today, more than eight years later, the Big Blue Blocks remain one of the museum’s most loved and most frequently used exhibits.
Creating a Space for Creative, Child-Led Play
Before founding the Galveston Children’s Museum, Nancy spent nearly 30 years teaching in classroom settings and later directed university summer camps for more than a decade. Through those experiences, she recognized how important it is for children to have opportunities to experiment, explore, and “mess with things” in informal learning environments.
While traditional classrooms often follow structured schedules and predetermined outcomes, Nancy wanted to create a space where children could engage in imaginative play without worrying about doing things “the right way.”
That philosophy continues to guide the museum today.
Located inside a historic mansion surrounded by beautiful outdoor grounds, the Galveston Children’s Museum provides children with opportunities for:
- loose-parts play
- collaborative building
- hands-on STEM exploration
- imaginative storytelling
- physical activity
- social-emotional learning
The museum’s large Big Blue Blocks remain outdoors year-round for large-scale collaborative play, while smaller blocks rotate between indoor and outdoor learning environments depending on programming and activities.
How Big Blue Blocks Support Team Building and STEM Learning
According to Nancy, one of the greatest benefits of the Blue Blocks is their ability to encourage teamwork, communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
“The Blue Blocks are great for team building,” Nancy explains. “When we have camps over the summer and winter breaks, and even when we just have some free time, it is great to come together to build and create with the Blocks and work on skills like teamwork.”
During camps and educational programs, museum staff often challenge children with abstract building prompts such as:
- build a plant
- create something that flies
- invent a structure together
These open-ended activities encourage children to experiment through trial and error while naturally developing:
- critical thinking skills
- spatial awareness
- communication abilities
- engineering concepts
- creative confidence
Through STEM learning through play, children engage with science, engineering, design, and problem-solving in ways that feel playful and exciting.
Why Big Blue Blocks Inspire Open-Ended Creativity
Nancy says one of her favorite things about the Blue Blocks is their “quirky” design and versatility. Unlike traditional toys or fixed playground equipment, there is no single correct way to stack, connect, or build with the blocks.
Instead, children are encouraged to invent their own ideas, structures, and imaginative worlds.
At the Galveston Children’s Museum, favorite Blue Block activities include:
- building forts
- creating obstacle courses
- designing imaginative seating
- playing “the floor is lava”
- collaborative storytelling games
Because the blocks are lightweight yet durable, even toddlers can manipulate and build with them independently while older children, teens, and adults remain equally engaged.
Nancy explains that after exploring many other loose-parts products over the years, she believes the Big Blue Blocks are:
- the most versatile
- the most durable
- the easiest for children of all ages to use
- ideal for both indoor and outdoor play
A Durable Investment for Museums and Community Spaces
One of the reasons the Galveston Children’s Museum continues to rely on Big Blue Blocks after more than eight years is their exceptional durability.
“These MAKE our outdoor space,” Nancy says. “They’re durable, extremely versatile, and we wash them up about twice a year and they still look great after eight years of staying outside.”
The blocks continue to attract children and families of all ages, creating collaborative experiences where toddlers, tweens, teens, and parents build together side-by-side.
According to Nancy:
“Whole families will enjoy and explore with the Blue Blocks. Toddlers will play with them, teens and tweens will, whole family units come to build together. They are a wonderful investment that lasts for years and the longevity of the Blue Blocks is incredible.”
Visit the Galveston Children’s Museum
If you are visiting Galveston, Texas, make sure to stop by the Galveston Children’s Museum to experience the creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning inspired by Imagination Playground Big Blue Blocks.
Through open-ended play, teamwork, and imagination, Nancy Shultz and her team continue to create meaningful learning experiences that help children build confidence, curiosity, and creativity every day.
Until then — BUILD ON!
Considering Big Blue Blocks for Your School or Community Space?
Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks are used in schools, museums, parks, libraries, and community spaces around the world to create engaging environments for collaborative, open-ended play.
If you’re considering Big Blue Blocks for your school, park, museum, or community space, schedule a consultation with our team to explore the right play solution for your environment.