Kids can explore various themed stations at ARTech, from building and creating to GIF-making.

ARTech: Adventures in Art + Technology has transformed a vacant, 8,000-square-foot storefront on West 14th Street into an inspiring center for explorative play. Upon check-in, visitors can take in the entire space, consisting of a large, open first floor and mezzanine. Stations set up throughout the space each have a dedicated focus: exploring velocity, building and creating, GIF-making, the Star Lab pop-up planetarium, free play in the ball pool, and more. A Post-it wall and the Kids Art Mirror offer interactive art for all ages.

To the left of the entrance is the ball pool—clearly a hit with kids and, naturally, our first stop. Parents might remember the famed ball pool at the Children's Museum of the Arts, filled with colorful yoga balls (almost as big as some tots) rather the standard small, plastic ones. Playtime is timed and the number of kids is limited to 10 at once, helping to ensure safe play—and a turn—for everyone.

Just in front of the ball pool is the Build It station, featuring Rigamajig blocks, as well as foam blocks for babies and tots to tinker with. My 7-year-old wanted to work alone at first, so my two older ones got to work building a car while she collected materials and started tinkering on her own. Before long, there was a teaching artist there, helping her build in whatever way worked for her, holding partially made creations, securing items, and offering only enough suggestions to keep my daughter creating. All three kids left the station happy.

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Create racers at the Velocity station—and then watch them go!

Next, we headed to the Velocity station, where my girls got to work making cars out of cardboard, wheels, construction paper, pipe cleaners, crayons, stamps, and more. Then they tested their creations on each of four shaped ramps. If it fell or didn't make it all the way down, they'd inspect, adjust, and try again.

Curious about the silver dome in the distance, we headed for the Star Lab, a pop-up planetarium on the mezzanine level. Here a staffer shared ancient Greek and Native American tales about the constellations while projecting images overhead. It's awkward crawling through the small tunnel opening, especially for parents, but the kids enjoyed it and my 7-year-old retold the tales over dinner, so they definitely made an impression.

My 7-year-old and her friends had a blast at the GIF-making station. They hopped in front of a green screen and did a silly dance while a staffer recorded them. Afterward, they gathered around the iPad-wielding staffer to watch the video and select the background and other design elements before saving. We received a card with a site to watch the finished product at home.

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The Children's Museum of the Arts' Kids Art Mirror keeps kids and parents entertained as it responds to your movements.

If you've visited the Children's Museum of the Arts recently, you're likely familiar with its Kids Art Mirror, an interactive sculpture created by artist and educator Danny Rozin in 2015 as part of CMA's exhibit Pixelated: Sum of its Pieces. Comprised of 413 tiles designed by children visiting CMA, the piece also features a hidden video camera, computer board, and motors that allow the sculpture to respond to movements while emitting a pleasant, soothing sound, creating a truly engaging experience. My kids loved it. My daughters were in awe and spent a while dancing, twirling, and marching in front of the wall, delighting in its response to their movements.

The workshop area features rotating activities related to climate, science, and space. A nearby exhibit, Access: Artists and Scientists, offers thought-provoking art, exploring ecology, climate change, sustainability, and related topics.

My kids had a great time. In fact, my 9-year-old declared after only the second station, “We definitely have to come back again.”

Things to know before you go

• Admission is FREE, but advance registration is required, and visits are limited to one hour. Upon surveying the space, you might think an hour is more than enough time; keep in mind each station is unique, engaging, and interactive. Kids easily can get caught up in a project and lose track of time. If you want to hit every station, be careful not to linger too long in any one. The planetarium and ball pit usually have a line; we did not experience a line at the other stations.
   
• While the center is open to all ages, the sweet spot is probably 4-10 years old. My 13-year-old mostly busied himself by helping his younger sisters create and would have felt out of place if I had just brought him.
   
• A spot must be reserved for each guest, meaning kids and parents have to register.
   
• There is a bathroom on site in the mezzanine area, but no changing table.
   
• There is no coat check. However, there is an area on the first floor to park strollers. Strollers are not allowed on the mezzanine level.
   
• Food and drinks are not permitted during your visit. If you're craving a snack, Chelsea Market is just around the corner—perfect for a pre- or post-ARTech stop.

ARTech: Adventures in Art + Technology is located at 459 West 14th Street. The center runs through Saturday, April 29. Hours are Wednesday-Thursday, 3-7pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Again, admission is FREE; advance registration is required. Some dates are already sold out, so secure your spot soon.

Top photo: A romp in the ball pool was popular among all ages. All photos by the author. Video by Alice Grindling for Mommy Poppins.