Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Hosts Two Healing with Play Events this November
[Grand Rapids, MI] November 17, 2025 – This November, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (GRCM) invites families to connect, reflect, and play during two special Healing with Play events designed to support emotional wellness in children and families.
November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, and GRCM is participating in Healing with Play, a national initiative led by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) in partnership with the New York Life Foundation and Knology.
The initiative recognizes the vital role children’s museums play in helping children process big feelings through hands-on, trauma-informed play experiences.
Two Special Healing with Play Events at GRCM This November!
3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
Thursday, November 20 | 4–8pm
In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, join us for a cozy 3rd Thursday evening at the museum! Snuggle up for a cozy movie night featuring Coco — the film begins at 5:30pm. As part of 3rd Thursday, admission is just $3 from 4-8pm.
Healing with Play Partner Programming
Saturday, November 22 | 10am–2pm
Community partners will join us for special programming focused on emotional healing, resilience, and the power of play to help children express and process big feelings. Programming is included with regular museum admission.
Explore Weathering Emotions
During both events, guests can also explore GRCM’s exhibit, i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit, Weathering Emotions, where weather meets feelings. This interactive exhibit helps children and families “weather life’s storms” by exploring emotions like sunny happiness, cloudy confusion, or stormy sadness through hands-on play. Visitors can learn to recognize and manage their “inner weather” — whether they’re feeling like a calm breeze or a swirling tornado — while discovering new ways to care for their mental wellness.
The i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit, Weathering Emotions, was imagined and created through a partnership between the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and i understand that began in 2023. The exhibit was designed and developed by project partners CARNEVALE and fabricated by Meta4Mat with support from EV Construction and Apexx Electric. This interactive mental wellness exhibit is designed to provide hands-on experiences through immersive technology and open-ended play. This exhibit was made possible through donations to i understand and the Kimberly Mutch Bergner Memorial Fund, to honor and remember Kimberly who lost her battle with postpartum depression.
“We are incredibly proud that families attending Healing with Play will experience Weathering Emotions, the i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit,” said Vonnie Woodrick, founder of i understand. “This exhibit not only helps children recognize and express emotions in healthy, playful ways, it is also the first exhibit in the country within a children’s museum to intentionally introduce the concept of grief. Starting these conversations early gives children the tools to understand big feelings before they become overwhelming. We are also honored that Ginger Zee, ABC News’ Chief Meteorologist, and a passionate mental health advocate, lends her voice to this exhibit, helping to normalize emotional wellness for all families.”
The i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit, Weathering Emotions will be on display at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum from September 2025 through May 2026.
Healing With Play is part of “Building Resilience Together: Strengthening Children’s Museums for Bereaved Families”, a collaborative project led by ACM, New York Life Foundation, and Knology. The project builds on the critical support children’s museums provide to individuals and communities dealing with loss and grief.
For more information, visit www.grcm.org.