DuPage Children's Museum opens China exhibit

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- A new interactive experience just opened in the western suburbs, taking you on a virtual trip around the world where kids and families get to see what life is like in a global city more than 7,000 miles away.

Imagine learning world geography, trying global music and tasting international cuisine. That's the goal of this new exhibit, at the DuPage Children's Museum, which is traveling outside Boston for the first time.

"When we had the opportunity to select which traveling exhibit we would bring, we decided we wanted China," said Sarah Orleans, DuPage Children's Museum CEO. "What better time to really begin to introduce children to the differences and similarities we have in the world?"

The exhibit is called Children of Hangzhou, which is China's fourth-largest metropolitan area. Through hands-on play, kids get to connect with children half a world away.

"I think it's fantastic. I think it's important to expose children to other cultures," said Gina Detienne, mom.

And for Chicagoans of Chinese descent, it's a chance to reconnect.

"I think it's great American children are learning about Chinese heritage, I remember going to Chinese school to reconnect with my background, I think it's great they get that experience," said volunteer Grace Barksdale.

"They can see how to do the same things, just not in the same way," said Naperville resident Jackie Liu.

For the little ones, it's all about fun. And through their own discoveries, they're learning about our world.