A new Barbie exhibit at COSI explores career opportunities.
Susan Glaser/TNS
COLUMBUS, Ohio – What do you want to be when you grow up?
For Barbie, the choices are almost endless – a teacher or a doctor, a beekeeper or fashion designer.
America’s favorite doll has had more than 200 careers throughout her 64-year life, from nurse to pilot to president.
They’re on display in Columbus, at a new special exhibit, “Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience,” at COSI, the city’s highly acclaimed science museum.
The exhibit, which opened last week and runs through early January, arrives in Columbus at the perfect time to capitalize on the hype from “Barbie” the movie, released in July and currently the top-grossing film of 2023.
Developed by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Mattel, the exhibit bears little resemblance to the film – except, perhaps, for the numerous career Barbies featured in the movie, including President Barbie (Issa Rae), Judge Barbie (Ana Cruz Kayne), Physicist Barbie (Emma Mackey) and Writer Barbie (Alexandra Shipp).
Kids who visit COSI will find that they have even more choices than the Barbies on the big screen. Dozens of career options are introduced inside the exhibit, from veterinarian to violinist, firefighter to film director.
The exhibit is highly interactive, and geared for younger children, up to perhaps age 10. Kids can jump inside a (toy) jeep and pretend to be a wildlife photographer, test out their balance on a surfboard and get behind the podium and pretend to be president (“I am honored to have been elected as your leader,” reads the acceptance speech. “Please know that I recognize the importance of this responsibility.”)
They can pilot an airplane, design an outfit, and pick out the ingredients for an interesting pot of soup.
In addition, there are plenty of dolls to play with, plus dozens on display.
Kristy Williams, director of communications at COSI, said that while the exhibit is designed for kids, it’s likely to appeal to many parents, as well.
“We really hope that both children and parents can take a spark of curiosity away from this exhibit – whether it be nostalgic curiosity, remembering the great Barbie dolls they had in childhood or eagerness for a future career,” she said. “What does every kindergartener get asked at some point during the year — What do you want to be when you grow up? And this exhibit really helps kids get a feel for what they like or what they’re good at, be it nurturing, problem-solving, creating – the sky is the limit.”
The exhibit features a variety of older and rare dolls, including a reproduction of the first Barbie, created in 1959 by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who came up with the idea for an adult doll after watching her young daughter, Barbara, assign grown-up roles to her paper dolls.
Other historic dolls on display: a nurse from 1961 (yes, wearing open-toed high heels), a flight attendant from 1973, and an astronaut from 1985 (decked out in all pink).
An exhibit on role models features several dolls from the Barbie Inspiring Women Series, including plastic re-creations of pioneering pilot Amelia Earhart, NASA scientist Katherine Johnson, musician Elle Fitzgerald, nurse Florence Nightingale and gymnast Laurie Hernandez.
“As an adult, I’m loving all the different Barbies and the history,” said Elisabeth Drinnen, who traveled from Nashville with her 6-year-old daughter Magdalena, in part to tour the new Barbie exhibit. “I saw some that I know my mom and my aunt had.”
Samantha Skidmore from Pickerington enjoyed the exhibit nearly as much as her 3-year-old daughter Bennett. “I had so many Barbies when I was young,” she said. “I always liked the Teacher Barbie best.”
Nine-year-old Lily Adolf, visiting the exhibit with her 7-year-old sister Gwen and mom Katharine Brutz, said she liked the exhibit’s message.
“I’m thankful for this exhibit,” she said. “It’s a nice way to introduce girls to the fact that they can do anything,”
She paused and added, “Boys also need to know that girls can do these things.”
And then she ran off to scale the rock climbing wall one more time. Because yes, Barbie can be a rock climber, too.
If you go: Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience
Where: The Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 333 W. Broad St., just across the Scioto River from downtown Columbus
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; the Barbie exhibit runs through Jan. 7.
How much: The exhibit is included with regular admission; online tickets are $30 for adults, $25 ages 2-12; $5 more if purchased onsite. Online reservations are strongly encouraged.
Coming in March: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, with more than 350 artifacts and full-scale recreations of the doomed ship. It opens on March 9.
More information: cosi.org
Stay overnight: The Junto, a new hotel across the street from COSI, has outfitted one of its guestrooms in all-pink Barbie splendor; overnight rates start at about $240. Information: thejuntohotel.com
