The NMK Children’s Museum reopened on May 1, after renovating its space to create a new section called “Daily Life of People of the Past,” which offers a glimpse into the daily activities and necessities of people on the Korean Peninsula since ancient times, including their food, clothes, and shelter. The newly reorganized space is designed to help children naturally imagine the past as they walk through the exhibition space. What’s more, there are exciting hands-on activities around every corner, to help children better understand Korean history through their own experience and engagement.

When walking into the exhibition space, visitors see first a reproduction of a Goguryeo house, based on a house-shaped earthenware made in the 5th or 6th century. The house is equipped with jjokgudeul, the floor heating system traditionally used by Koreans to keep their homes warm. On the walls, there is a picture of a Goguryeo kitchen, as seen in the murals of ancient tombs. In the corners, there are stations for a variety of activities, allowing children to experience the housing culture with house-building tools and giwa (roof tiles).

Next to the Goguryeo house, children can explore the inside of a kiln structure to see how pottery was fired. They can also pose in the photo zone, where Mole, the mascot of the Children’s Museum. Finally, in the center of the exhibition, children can enjoy hands-on experiences with beautiful ornaments, gold crowns, and costumes used by ancient Koreans, making every visit memorable.