Went to the Hocking Hills State Park after hearing they opened an interactive section and cave.
It’s not digital interaction like I was thinking (outside of a touchscreen and one old school light switch to show a bat), but places to touch and climb.
I like how the tree displays continue overhead and there are real tree examples. The cave had UV flashlights revealing facts about the Old Man’s Cave – many that required moving the flashlight or a second person with another flashlight. Kids can peek and reach through the holes. Even seating was built in.
On the second floor, there was a mock trail to climb/walk with common dangers. Those who climb on it are rewarded with more facts through windows to the back of another display. I bumped my head trying to climb through the window. The mock trail even had fake ice!
I love how the designers tried to incorporate or hide needed structural and infrastructure elements like pipes and vents.
They had a step stool for small kids (often missing at many smaller museums) so they could do rubbings of leaves and take them home.
There was seating everywhere!
The touchscreen would have been better with audio or video or interaction other than touch. You have to be so close to touch the screen, that you can’t see the third window popup. Also, you can’t close the window if you’re too short.
The last photo is part of the outdoor balcony. As someone who would crawl and climb if I was more physically able to, these large ledges are safer for people who do that kind of risky behavior.
Overall, this is one of the better interactive educational spaces I’ve seen at a state park and other small places.