Ask any kid – and many adults – about Bumblebee, and they can tell you all about the Transformer character that can change into a new Chevrolet Camaro. (The crumpled California license plate doubling as Bumblebee’s belt buckle should be a hint.)
Since 2011, a 17-foot tall, one-ton Bumblebee built as a prop for the 2007 movie Transformers has been welcoming guests of all ages to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Now, others of his kind have joined Bumblebee for a special exhibit called Transformers: Robots in Disguise, which will continue through July 26, 2015, at this Indianapolis museum.
Gigantic Bumblebee gives an exciting welcome to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The exhibit coincides with the March debut of a new animated Transformers series, Robots in Disguise, on Cartoon Network. The special attraction also celebrates more than 30 years of the heroic robots.
"Transformers prove that ordinary things can become extraordinary with an active imagination and great engineering,” says Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “Just when you thought you were looking at a cool Camaro, you realize that underneath the shell is a giant Autobot with a taste for adventure named Bumblebee.”
Transformers are brought to life at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
“We’re very excited to bring the Transformers brand to life by showcasing the creativity and innovation behind a brand that’s been in families’ homes for more than three decades,” says Tom Warner, senior vice president of Transformers Franchise Lead, Hasbro, Inc. “Bringing together fans of all generations, this exhibit celebrates how the franchise has evolved in both engineering and design, and in entertainment over the past 30 years.”
Children get to design their own Transformers — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
“Are you an Autobot or a Decepticon?” visitors are asked as they enter The Children’s Museum exhibit through giant Transformers masks.
Inside, families will recognize all their favorite characters. The exhibit spans the universe of the Transformers brand from Generation 1 – which debuted in 1984 – to the characters from Hasbro’s newest animated series.
From the evil Decepticon leader Megatron and his archrival, the wise Optimus Prime, and the Autobat army to Bumblebee and Starscream, the characters will spark favorite memories.
“We want families to explore how there really is more to the world than meets the eye, and as they learn that together, they will share the joy of puzzle-solving and discovery,” Patchen says.
Children see how Transformers are brought to life — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The exhibits include rare and collectible toys, comics, memorabilia, film props and much more:
- A scale replica of an Optimus Prime character
- A talking 2015 Bumblebee Camaro
- Extensive displays of Transformers toys
- “Become Bumblebee” digital interactive
- A large Transformers Beast Wars battle scene diorama
- Limited engagement display of Transformers: Age of Extinction Optimus Prime semi-truck
- Transformers Rescue Bots preschool play tables
Children of all ages enjoy Transformers — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Visitors also will discover all-new characters and an action-packed storyline, in which Bumblebee must return to Earth and lead a ragtag team of Autobots to capture a group of Decepticons on the loose.
The Design Studio welcomes visitors to try hands-on experiences to use their own imaginations to design, prototype, sculpt and hand-paint their own Transformers to create exciting action.
Children are invited to bring Transformers to life — Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
