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‘Pip’s Island’ Interactivity Inspires Kids to Find Inner Spark

December 12, 2016 by Jason S. Grant

pips island kids in vests
“Pip’s Island” is an immersive play experience combining exploration, empowerment and education. The 60-minute live and interactive narrative that adventures its way through a dozen unique, hand-crafted environments. Photos: pipsisland.com.

To celebrate my son Jake’s sixth birthday, my wife and I took him to Manhattan to see Pip’s Island, a highly interactive “immersive” children’s adventure playing here.

We had as much fun as our son did as we watched him become one of a new breed of super explorers. Their hour-long mission: To find their inner “spark” and help their leader, Pip save the island from of the powerful forces of the villainous Joules Volter. I’ve never seen my son so engaged in an activity the way he was today.

Almost immediately, Jake and 30 or so other kids were immersed in the story as they bravely strapped on their tan “Explorers’ Vests” and were introduced to heroes Pip, Finn and Pebble. As our young heroes prepared for their mission they met the island’s guardian, Dr. Amperes Wattson, who commissioned Pip, Finn and Pebble to stop the villainous Volter. As it turns out, Volter is Dr. Wattson’s twin brother and wants to keep the power of the island’s “sparks” for himself.

pip's island pointing

As the Pip’s Island narrative moved from room to room, we followed our son as he traveled through a maze of lush multi-sensorial environments. Along the way, he and the other kids learned to build and use crazy gadgets and gizmos, and interacted with the island’s strange and mysterious creatures until they collected the five powerful sparks and earned their “Spark Badges.”

The Pip’s Island adventure itself from an adult perspective was kind of silly but watching Jake having a blast with all the other kids and being involved in the action was anything but. It was only last year I stood in Jake’s school’s gymnasium watching him sit down on his mat, uninterested while the rest of his classmates demonstrated for their parents, the Capoeira martial arts poses they learned in gym class.

pip's island animal in audience

Ironically, as part of their training, with Pip, the team had to master five sets of martial-arts-style poses or “skills.” These magical skills would help them navigate the different environments they encountered. This time Jake was completely engaged in the adventure. Compared to the Capoeira demonstration at school, it was a complete turnaround. It was so sweet watching him play and have fun, our hearts were filled with pride for our big boy, Jake who is quickly growing up right before our eyes.

Join the adventure with your children at Pip’s Island. Its originality and charm will have them believing in the power of the Sparks and wanting to do it again.

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Filed Under: entertainment, NYC Tagged With: review, theater

About Jason S. Grant

Jason S. Grant is a full-time dad and a contributing blogger for the NYC Dads Group, who spreads awareness of Tourette’s syndrome and its related disorders. By far, the best and most challenging job Jason has ever held is being a dad to his son, Jake. You can read more about Jason and Jake at Daddylogue.

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