Posted in 
INK is an incredible interactive neighborhood for kids! I know this first-hand since I accompanied my daughter there on a school field trip in 2007, and had as much fun as she and her friends did!INK first opened in August 2002, in the old Methodist church educational building in downtown Gainesville. They were an instant hit, and soon had to move from this 5,000 square foot building into the Featherbone Communiveristy Center, formaly known as the Warren Featherbone Center. This 20,000 square foot building was much better suited to INK's needs. In this children's educational interactive museum, people aged 2 to 92 learn to interact with the environment, and others. The museum is modelled around an indoor neighborhood, complete with stores, coffee shop, post office, dentist office, library, etc. The concept is for parents and caregivers to interact and play with the kids. Everybody (adults and children!) are encouraged to roleplay and actually become the dentist, firefighter, vet, etc. The whole environment designed for people to learn - whether it be proper nutrition in the grocery store or dental hygiene in the dentist's office! INK provides a great atmosphere for families to learn together, play together and spend time together in order to learn and connect in meaningful ways.
Field trips account for as much as 35-37% of INK's business, and children/schools come from all over north Georgia, Hall County, Banks County, Buckhead, Atlanta, Athens etc. They also host amazing birthday parties, and average from 8-12 birthday parties each Saturday - wow! INK has an on premises gift shop featuring educational toys from Melissa and Doug. They also rent out the museum for family reunions and corporate meetings.
Sheri Hooper is the founder and Executive Director of INK. Tired of having to travel to other locations in order for her and her husband to take their three children to children's museums, she decided that Gainesville needed a children's museum of its own - and boy are we glad that she did!
Dana Miller has been INK's Marketing Director for almost three years. She graduated from our own Brenau University and is currently the president of the Alumnae Association.
INK is a member of the Association of Children's Museums, which includes over 200 children's museums. If you join INK, your membership card will allow you free admission to these 200 children's museums, located across the nation - Chicago, Chattanooga, Atlanta, etc. As part of this network, INK has proven good for our local economy as well, and looking at their membership sign in sheet, people are visiting from other cities and states.
INK is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is good for all day - you can arrive at 10am, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the eating area, or come and go all day. Rates Monday through Saturday are $8 per person, and Sunday $6 per person - children under 2 are free. Group rates are available with advanced reservation. Payments can be made using cash, visa or mastercard.
If you have never visited INK, you are in for a treat when you do. If you are one of the fortunate ones who have visited, then I know you look as forward to returning as I do! Visit the INK website (http://www.inkfun.org/index.php) for details on some exciting upcoming events, including the SUPERHERO EXTRAVAGANZA event on Sunday May 5th (http://www.inkfun.org/pdf/SUPERHERO.pdf)
Also coming up in May is INK's
Building a Healthy Body Exhibit. People from the community will be invited to the exhibit's grand opening on May 15th. A ribbon cutting ceremony at 12 noon will reveal "Buddy", a one of a kind, giant boy designed and built just for INK with funds from the Medical Center Foundation. The whole back of the museum will be focused on health and proper nutrition, with kiosks relating to health, wellness, and nutrition...INK: Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
999 Chestnut Street, Gainesville GA, 30501
(770)536-1900
www.inkfun.org
