The St. Croix Children’s Museum came alive on Sunday with laughter, color, and culture as children and families gathered for the Jumbies at the Museum celebration, a playful and educational alternative to traditional Halloween festivities.
Hosted by the museum, the event invited children to learn, create, and explore through hands-on activities inspired by the Virgin Islands’ iconic cultural guardians. From storytelling and art stations to bubble play and stilt demonstrations, the day offered something for everyone.
“It was a great day,” said Zayd Saleem, a lead organizer with the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies — a youth cultural organization that teaches children how to stilt walk and perform as moko jumbies, which also participated in the event. “The Children’s Museum is such a beautiful property with so much space, a perfect place for kids. As a youth group, that’s what we love most — giving children a chance to try new things and hopefully spark their curiosity.”
Saleem added that seeing the moko jumbies highlighted as the day’s theme felt especially meaningful. “Growing up, moko jumbies were always cool, but now, as an adult, it feels even more powerful. They’re really our cultural icon,” he said. “It didn’t surprise me to see them featured here because it’s part of who we are as Virgin Islanders.”
For museum board President Ellie Hirsh, the event reflected the organization’s mission to engage children through play, creativity, and cultural connection.
“We’re all volunteers, and yet we’re able to do this thanks to the amazing people in the community who step up to help,” Hirsh said. “It’s incredible to see everyone come together to make something special for the kids.”
The museum has been at its current location for just about a year, hosting themed pop-up events including the International Day of Peace, Worldwide Day of Play, and now Jumbies at the Museum.
Hirsh explained that the idea for the event grew out of a collaboration that began when the museum started holding pop-ups at the St. George Village Botanical Garden. “In a way, it’s our cultural response to Halloween,” she said. “Halloween is about scaring away evil spirits, and in our tradition, the moko jumbie does the same but in a way that’s rooted in our own culture.”
In addition to cultural performances, children took part in craft activities, including making their own paper dolls dressed as moko jumbies, a project developed with the help of students from the St. Croix Educational Complex.
Hirsh said the museum’s programming follows the STREAM model — Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math — with a strong focus on literacy. “We always have a story walk for parents to share books with their children, and we’ve given away over 26,000 books on St. Croix,” she said proudly.
As the day wound down, children danced in clouds of bubbles, a signature feature at the museum’s events, while parents looked on, chatting and smiling.
“This is what it’s all about,” Hirsh said. “Getting children engaged, letting them play and learn together, and seeing that joy and connection, that’s the real reward.”
The museum’s next event, Attitude of Gratitude, will take place in November, followed by Traditions Across the Globe in partnership with West Gyul for the holidays.
