Ever go sideways Hula Hooping? That’s Fun Day at Clayton

Before kids were allowed to shake and shimmy in public using Hula Hoops, there was hoop rolling – and badminton, croquet, sack races and other activities for the overly dressed kids of Victorian times.

Now, in the name of 21st-century fitness, kids can take part in these games from the early 1900s and more at Let’s Move Family Fun Day at the Frick on Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Let’s Move is First Lady Michelle Obama’s program focused on healthy eating and active lives for kids, but the Frick Art and Historical Center has managed to adapt it to include activities in and around Clayton, Henry Clay Frick’s house.

Spokesperson Greg Langel anticipates that more than 700 people will attend this year. “We hope to provide our visitors the opportunity to use the Frick site in a new way,” says Langel. “We have these grounds – five beautiful acres – and this day provides guests the chance to learn about historic, turn of the century Victorian games the Frick children participated in, and to be active on the site.”

Other lawn games, of a more modern nature, include challenge hopscotch, bean-bag toss and a wacky obstacle course. Kids can also follow an activity guide on the site produced for a previous Let’s Move event.

Langel hopes visitors will also tour Clayton. “A good portion of the displays and rooms in Clayton are children’s rooms,” he notes, “and much of what we talk about are the lives of the children.” The day will also feature Yoga and a Story, for kids and their families, which combines a reading of Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” with simple yoga moves, such as tree, boat and rock poses.

A free Victorian photo booth will give kids mustaches, hats and other props to use. And if they want to see nearly real Victorian photos, they can venture into the gallery for Clayton Days Revisited: A Project by Vik Muniz. Back in 1999, Muniz used Victorian-era camera equipment to take new photos at Clayton from children’s point of view. His 65 prints were originally exhibited in 2000, but they’re being redisplayed now with a selection of works by Muniz from the subsequent 13 years.

The event is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan.

 

Writer: Marty Levine

Source: Greg Langel, Frick Art and Historical Center