THE PLAYGROUND

THE PLAYGROUND transforms the National Building Museum’s Great Hall into a 14,000-square-foot interactive installation designed for exploration, creativity, and intergenerational play. The immersive experience features imaginative architectural forms and oversized elements that invite visitors of all ages to move through, investigate, and engage with the environment.

The installation was developed by New York-based design practice Snarkitecture in collaboration with designer Gluten. In addition to the installation itself, THE PLAYGROUND hosts daytime and evening programming for children and adults throughout its run.

When: July 3 through August 30, 2026

Showtimes: Open during the Museum’s visiting hours, with additional daytime and evening programming scheduled throughout the run.

Venue: National Building Museum, Great Hall

Lineup: Installation by Snarkitecture, developed with design collaborator Gluten

Size: 14,000 square feet

Ages: Designed for visitors of all ages, with intergenerational play and programming for both children and adults.

Tickets: Price not available

Accessibility: Eligible military families may receive complimentary admission through the participating-museum program; this benefit includes THE PLAYGROUND, which is otherwise separately ticketed.