Brown Girl Gumbo

Family entertainment is changing. Immersive experiences are taking hold and Pip’s Island is a prime example of where engaging, interactive fun for children is heading. Located steps from Times Square in New York City, the sprawling multi-level space is the perfect spot to embark on the incredibly unique journey.

The hour-long adventure is a one-of-a-kind hybrid performance that successfully blends powerful storytelling, digital gadgetry, animation, captivating space design and music into one unforgettable theatrical experience. From dance breaks to puppetry to problem-solving scenarios, the innovative production puts your child (ages 10 and under) in the center of it all.

Tiny explorers are sent on a heroic quest to save the island from an evil villain, with obstacles at every turn. Led by an effervescent park ranger and Pip — the show’s central character — the mini explorers encounter a wondrous cast of personalities.

While kids are the main attractions, accompanying adults are far from left out. In fact, we’re referred to as the assistant explorers. With a little help from us here and there, the kids walk through several scenes with various activities that ladder up to five empowering pillars: activate, investigate, build, imagine and connect. Each of the experiences has a teachable moment that resonates with children. Throughout the mission, the mini explorers are called by name (thanks to the handy nametags) to assist with tasks. This is a nice touch that parents will appreciate because it creates a sense of belonging and personalization within a group setting.

Photo by Paul Mariano

To say my kids (ages 5 and 9) loved the experience would be an understatement. My son, Marcus, was tasked with the job of carrying the treasured handbook throughout the experience. Let’s just say he took his responsibility very seriously! My daughter enjoyed steering the ship in one setup, as well as the enthralling storytelling and eye-catching details of each design space.

As a mom who’s always on the hunt for fun family activities to do in the city, Pip’s Island tops my list of recommendations. If you’re looking for a memorable, unique and entertaining way to unlock your child’s imagination, this is it!

I recently caught up with Rania Ajami, one of the co-founders behind this fascinating venture. Read on to learn more about what sparked the creation of Pip’s Island and what visitors can expect.

BGG: What was your inspiration behind creating Pip’s Island?
Rania Ajami: Being a mother was my greatest inspiration. Plus, my background is in filmmaking and storytelling. It was just having my own kids and seeing that there’s really nothing out there that was enriching and unique for children. I was also frustrated by the fact that I’d have to book a lesson or schedule something. There weren’t many options outside of the usual offerings of the museum, etc.

BGG: What was your mindset when conceptualizing the brand?
RA: We wanted to create a children’s brand where any child would feel that it’s enriching. In fact, there are children that sometimes they show up and they’re timid or they’re scared, but when they go through the entirety of the journey, they come out feeling so happy about themselves. We’re really about making kids feel like heroes.

Photo by Paul Mariano

BGG: What can visitors expect when exploring Pip’s Island?
RA:  It’s a true hero’s journey for children where they are part of the entire unfolding of the story. From the moment they enter our submersive world upstairs, they move through these very rich multi-sensorial environments. They are met by actors who are different characters from our world. And from the get-go they’re given a mission to save the island. In every room you have a task, the story unfolds, and you really become wrapped up in the world and journey. We’ve had children walk out and say that it felt like they had walked into a book.

BGG: We know that it’s an interactive, immersive experience for kids, but how do adults factor into the experience and what can they expect?
RA: The emphasis is really on the kids, but the design, music and the script are also done in a way that grownups enjoy it. There’s humor that grownups get that the kids don’t. We want it to feel entertaining, like a Pixar movie for everyone.

BGG: How would you describe Pip’s Island in three words?
RA: Wonder, empowerment, and magic.

Photo by Paul Mariano

BGG: How did you come up with the name Pip’s Island? Is there any significance, background or history connected to that name?
RA: For us, Pip is the hero of the story. Ultimately, only he can defeat the bad guy. But the idea of Pip came many years ago when we were thinking of something that represented new life. So, that’s where we came up with this boy’s name being Pip. Sort of the beginning of this island, life and nature.

BGG: What surprised you the most when creating Pip’s Island? Was there anything that surprised you that you weren’t expecting?
RA:  The empowerment element was the most surprising. When we first started we didn’t realize that kids would come out feeling as if they found this inner power. When we saw that in our very first workshop, we thought, ‘Wow that’s the key to this!’ So, we began thinking about how to nurture that. How do we bring that about in children? How do we make them feel like they’re part of this expedition and that they’re working with other kids? Everything we’re doing serves this idea that children are the heroes, the stars of the show.

BGG: Why did you choose Times Square for the location?
RA: After I graduated from college, I moved to New York where I earned my master’s degree in film at NYU. After that, I started working as a filmmaker in the downtown theater scene. So, my community of collaborators are here in New York. Again, as a mom living in New York, I was privy to what the city offered for kids. As for the Time Square location, it was almost by chance. It just happened to be a property that was large enough. And the landlord believes in what we’re doing. It just kind of all magically came together.

Photo by Paul Mariano

BGG: What’s the biggest takeaway you want visitors to have upon leaving Pip’s Island?
RA: We want kids to realize that they all have an inner star, unmatched power and amazing potential. We want them to know that they can come back again and again. It isn’t just a show that you just go and see once. The whole idea is that there are many adventures that will constantly change. We want people to know that we’re a children’s brand that offers so much more than just seeing a one-time show.

BGG: What’s next for Pip’s Island?
RA: One thing we’ve been developing alongside the experience is this very large mythological world. Right now we’re working on a comic book and other books. The idea is that kids will come back and there will be different adventures that they’ll go on during their visit to the island.

Pip’s Island is located 400 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY. Visit Pip’s Island for tickets and more information.

Have you ever visited Pip’s Island? How do you keep your kids engaged and entertained beyond a typical trip to the movies or museum?