Crayola and Red Games in collab with The Smithsonian Institution
Creativity icon Crayola and gaming studio Red Games Co., have collaborated with The Smithsonian Institution to create an unparalleled digital experience that inspires wonderment, encourages curiosity, and engages children and families in fun, educational activities.
The new open world area of the Crayola Create & Play app developed by Red Games brings Smithsonian’s rich, family-friendly content and educational resources to the beloved top kids app known for fostering creativity and learning. After the success of last year’s collaboration with Hasbro’s My Little Pony, PJ Masks and Tonka, Crayola Create and Play continues to integrate third-party brands for unique partnerships and promotions that aim to excite new and existing players.
“We’re excited to partner with the Smithsonian to give kids and players of all ages a new way to discover science, art, history and more, with Smithsonian expertise,” says Brian Lovell, Founder and CEO of Red Games Co., which was named one of Fast Company’s most innovative gaming companies of 2024. “The collaboration introduces unique content updates that blend Crayola’s creative specialization with the Smithsonian’s expert knowledge, creating an inspiring creative learning environment that is unique to Crayola Create and Play.”
The app features new tools and content that encourage kids to create their own masterpieces inspired by Smithsonian exhibits. Players can open digital drawers to discover specimens from the National Museum of Natural History like gemstones, fossils, and insects, learn fun facts about each item, and use a microscope to examine items from the museum’s collection at a microscopic level. They can use content from the National Air and Space Museum to build and decorate their own airplanes inspired by historical models, create their own celestial artwork based on real constellations, and design their own spacesuits that are showcased in a zero-gravity environment within the digital museum.
“Crayola’s belief in unleashing the originality in every child together with the Smithsonian’s mission for the increase and diffusion of knowledge truly creates the opportunity to engage children in new and exciting ways,” says Carol LeBlanc, President of Smithsonian Enterprises. “Combining the power of these two brands through Crayola Create and Play allows the Smithsonian to reach children and families digitally and in a current and relevant way.”
“This exciting partnership with the Smithsonian in Crayola Create & Play couldn’t be a more perfect fit with Crayola’s mission to help parents and educators raise creatively alive kids,” said Brian Nemeckay, Sr. Manager Crayola Interactive. “Combining educational elements of the Smithsonian with the colorful inspiration of Crayola will spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and put kids’ imagination into action in an experience that children will love and parents can trust.”
Starting Sept. 4, the Smithsonian content will be accessible on all platforms where Crayola Create & Play is available, including the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon App Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store. To download app for a free trial, head to: https://rgco.link/create-play-SMSN
