Engaging Children in Sustainable Practices: The “Ruta 5Rs” Exhibit at Papalote Children's Museum

Abstract

Environmental education in early childhood is crucial for fostering a sense of responsibility toward the planet and promoting sustainable practices from a young age. Papalote Museo del Niño (Papalote Children's Museum), a leading institution in Mexico for its focus on interactive learning, developed the temporary exhibition “Ruta 5Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Readapt, Recycle, and Reintegrate). This project was based on its distinctive philosophy of “Touch, Play, and Learn” and was designed through a co-creation process that included scientific advice from academics. The exhibit, constructed with more than 80% reused materials, provided a multisensory experience for audiences aged 6–12 and their families. The summative evaluation conducted between October 2024 and January 2025 (with a sample exceeding 400 participants) demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention, recording high retention of key messages (96% in children and 98% in adults) and an average satisfaction of 9.2 out of 10. Although the reported intention to act was significantly high in adults (81%), a gap in agency was observed in children (54%). The results validate the replicable model of coherence between message and medium that can be achieved by museums, positioning these informal learning spaces as critical agents in promoting a culture of sustainability from childhood.