We are temporarily closed Sept. 14–25, 2026, for essential maintenance. Our Customer Service is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily at 317-334-4000 throughout the closure to assist with membership, admission, and field trip needs. Closure Details
Barbie dolls and their play environments encourage the kind of imaginative play that teaches us that no matter our gender, ethnicity, or background, we can make the world a better place by doing work that excites us, challenges us, and brings us fulfillment.
This exhibit welcomes visitors with the inspirational story of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, showcases a variety of career dolls from the past six decades, and highlights female Role Models who have broken boundaries. The core of the exhibit provides families a chance to explore over 15 career roles through hands-on and touchscreen interactives, themed role-play environments, and photo opps.
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Learn more about rental details. Contact Jen Crespo at jcrespo@childrensmuseum.org with any additional questions.
Visitors will see a large display featuring an image of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, along with a large-scale image of one of Handler’s most notable quotes: “My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” Visitors will also see a display of Barbie career dolls representing each decade.
Ruth Handler will be positioned as the first role model in the exhibit experience. Families will learn about how and why Handler invented Barbie, one of the most successful toys of all time. Additionally, children, parents, and grandparents will take part in intergenerational learning as they identify and discuss Barbie dolls that they played with as children.
The Role Model section of the exhibit will highlight five of the Role Model dolls, showing images of their real-life counterparts, and sharing information about their backgrounds, struggles, and accomplishments. Visitors will see a photo of the Role Model on the information panel alongside their doll on display.
Role Models include:
Families will experience five themed areas in which they will be encouraged to try out activities associated with a wide variety of roles and careers. Each area will highlight a particular role type: Leader, Problem Solver, Creator, Nurturer, or Adventurer. As they explore, visitors will see displays celebrating real life role models that fill these roles at their jobs every day. They will also see displays of Barbie dolls that represent various career options. Visitors will get to try on 15 different careers through role play and hands-on and digital interactives.
Careers include:
Visitors will see a large display featuring an image of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, along with a large-scale image of one of Handler’s most notable quotes: “My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” Visitors will also see a display of Barbie career dolls representing each decade.
Ruth Handler will be positioned as the first role model in the exhibit experience. Families will learn about how and why Handler invented Barbie, one of the most successful toys of all time. Additionally, children, parents, and grandparents will take part in intergenerational learning as they identify and discuss Barbie dolls that they played with as children.
The Role Model section of the exhibit will highlight five of the Role Model dolls, showing images of their real-life counterparts, and sharing information about their backgrounds, struggles, and accomplishments. Visitors will see a photo of the Role Model on the information panel alongside their doll on display.
Role Models include:
Families will experience five themed areas in which they will be encouraged to try out activities associated with a wide variety of roles and careers. Each area will highlight a particular role type: Leader, Problem Solver, Creator, Nurturer, or Adventurer. As they explore, visitors will see displays celebrating real life role models that fill these roles at their jobs every day. They will also see displays of Barbie dolls that represent various career options. Visitors will get to try on 15 different careers through role play and hands-on and digital interactives.
Careers include:
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Impression 5, Lansing, MI |
| Spring 2025 | Discovery Cube, Los Angeles, CA |
| Summer 2025 | Exploration Place, Wichita, KS |
| Fall 2025 | Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth, TX |
| Spring 2026 | Available |
| Summer 2026 | Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Fall 2026 | McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL |
| Spring/Summer 2027 | The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN |
| Fall 2027 | Glazer Children's Museum, Tampa, FL |
| Spring 2028 | Available |
| Summer 2028 | Discovery Cube, Orange County, CA |
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Indianapolis, IN, USA 46208-4716
317-334-4000
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