On a rainy Friday afternoon, our family had the pleasure of checking out the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace, a fantastic interactive play space for all ages on now at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto until April 24th. The large exhibit is set up according to age, the first part is geared toward children ages 3-6, the main (and largest area) is designed for 7-10 year-olds, and the final area is filled with more complex activities, engaging older children and teens. With that being said, anyone can, and will, want to play with everything in this stellar exhibit. There truly is something for everyone, from your 3-year-old who loves to dance, to your Minecraft-loving 8-year-old, and even for you. The TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace is truly a family event.
Even the exhibit entrance/waiting area is chock full of activity! The first installation, called “Happy Hockey,” is an interactive multiplayer video game projected on the HUGE wall above. When you enter the exhibit proper, you are immediately surrounded by responsive installations, from a sensory imaging “canvas”, to “Marshmallow Clouds” hanging overhead – everything responding to your movements. We spent a lot of time here, mesmerized by the colours and sharing the experience with the littlest visitors (they were so cute!) Heading into the main area, nothing could have prepared us for the sheer, childlike excitement we, ourselves, would experience.
It seems as though TIFF has thought of everything, catering to both children and adults alike. Everything is very straightforward, and if it’s a little more complex, there is a friendly attendant to explain the activity to you. There are activities in the space that made our jaws drop with their genius. Some had me playing like I was a 5 year old again.
Some highlights were the Augmented Reality Sandbox (the kinetic sand appears to change colour according to the height of the structures that you build), the Flippaper Game (you design and play your own pinball game), and Digital Bird Playground (which is exactly what the name says it is). This Digital Bird Playground, our fave activity, had us in stitches! The goofy game asks you to move ducks around an island of bicycles, basketball games and snakes. There are much more, and different digital stations at TIFF kids, and they are all fun and interactive.
Plan to spend a few hours to experience the full wow-factor and all the laughs of the TIFF digiPlaySpace. In fact, you could make a day of it and check out the TIFF Kid’s Film Festival (from April 8 to 24) as well. Opening night, there is a kick-off party starting at 5 pm, with snacks and beverages for kids and parents, with a screening of the movie “Oddball” at 7 pm. For all the info about the fun at TIFF for kids visit: http://bit.ly/1M6eFoK
The TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace is on now until April 24th, at the TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. W, Toronto). Tickets are at http://bit.ly/1S5KCz1. A MUST SEE FOR A RAINY DAY OR ANY DAY!
