Step Into a Storybook Adventure at Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum’s “The Amazing Castle™”
Families looking for a magical summer adventure won’t want to miss the newest special exhibit opening at Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum this season. Beginning May 19, 2026, children can journey back in time and experience the wonder of medieval life through the interactive exhibit, “The Amazing Castle™.”
Designed to spark imagination through hands-on play, this immersive exhibit invites children to become part of a magical castle community filled with knights, dragons, jesters, gardeners, cooks, carpenters, and more. From role-playing in royal costumes to building furniture and preparing feasts, every corner of the castle encourages creativity, collaboration, and storytelling.
A Hands-On Medieval Adventure
As soon as families enter “The Amazing Castle™,” they are transported into a whimsical medieval world where children can explore eight themed areas throughout the exhibit. Along the way, visitors meet the castle’s colorful citizens, each with an important role in keeping the kingdom running smoothly.
Young visitors can dress as lords, ladies, villagers, or even HiJinx the Jester while engaging in imaginative role-play activities throughout the castle. The exhibit encourages children to step into different roles, problem-solve, and learn through open-ended play experiences.
Explore the Castle’s Magical Spaces
The Great Hall and Royal Garden
One of the exhibit’s highlights is the bustling Great Hall, where children can help Kipper the Cook prepare a royal feast. Kids can gather bread, fruits, and vegetables from the castle pantry, then head to the kitchen to cook meals over a glowing fireplace complete with a cauldron and spit.
Outside in the royal garden, children can join Posey the Gardener in planting vegetables and collecting eggs from the hen house. Once the meal is prepared, families can gather together at the royal table for a pretend feast fit for kings and queens.
Royal Puppet Theatre
Future performers will love the Royal Puppet Theatre, where children and adults can put on puppet shows featuring castle characters. Visitors can wear costumes, sit on thrones, and entertain the kingdom alongside HiJinx the Jester.
The Royal Workshops
Creative builders and makers can visit the Tailor Shop, Carpenter’s Shop, and Blacksmith Shop to experience life behind the castle walls.
At the Tailor Shop, children design costumes using mix-and-match puzzle pieces and experiment with fun outfit creations. Distorted mirrors add extra silliness and laughter to the experience.
In the Carpenter’s Shop, kids can help build furniture using traditional mortise and tenon construction techniques while wearing work aprons just like real craftspeople.
The Blacksmith Shop allows visitors to pretend to repair tools and patch iron cookware using glowing coals, an anvil, and other medieval-inspired tools.
Wake the Sleeping Dragon
No castle would be complete without a dragon, and “The Amazing Castle™” delivers with the Dragon Tower, home to Herald the Dragon. Children work together to wake the sleepy dragon by solving matching puzzles that connect castle characters with their tools and symbols. Once awakened, Herald rises dramatically from the tower to delight visitors.
Fun for Younger Royals Too
Even the youngest visitors have a special place to explore. The Keep features toddler-friendly activities including a castle-inspired dollhouse, stone block building station, and interactive busy wall designed for little hands and growing imaginations.
A Perfect Summer Family Activity
“The Amazing Castle™” will be open from May 19, 2026 through Labor Day Weekend during regular museum hours and is included with museum admission.
Located in downtown Winchester, Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum offers hands-on educational fun for children of all ages and continues to be a favorite destination for Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley families.
For additional information and museum hours, visit Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum or call 540-722-2020.
