Sunday, April 8 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Indonesia is a diverse country in Southeast Asia consisting of more than 17,000 islands and 300 ethnic groups. With so many different ethnicities in one country, it is no wonder that the national motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – or “Unity in Diversity.”
Join us for Indonesia Day, along with our partners, the Embassy of Indonesia, Rumah Indonesia, and Spotlight Studio, to experience the kaleidoscope of cultures from the islands of Indonesia. The event will be held in both indoor and outdoor settings, with a variety of hands-on family activities and traditional performances.
General Admission: $12 (includes 1 child and 2 adults)
Members: FREE
Please note: Indonesia Day will be held rain or shine. In the case of rain, all Open Explore activities will be held indoors, and only the outdoor games and races will be cancelled.
Paid Workshops
Bakiak (Sumatra)
Bakiak are Indonesian clogs from the island of Sumatra that are long enough to hold three or more people. Bakiak races often take place during traditional celebrations, where groups wear the bakiak and race to the finish line. Develop your woodshop skills by making your own bakiak, then join KID Museum’s bakiak race in the afternoon! (grades 2 and up)
REGISTER: 11:00am | 2:00pm
Price: $12 members; $14 (+$12 general admission) non-members
All-Day Activities
Felt Orangutan (Borneo)
The name “orangutan” derives from the Indonesian words orang, meaning person, and utan, meaning forest, thus “person of the forest”. Orangutans are great apes, native to the island of Borneo and Sumatra, and are known for their reddish hair, long arms, and hooked hands and feet. Create your own mini orangutan out of felt, learning basic hand-stitching.
Batik (Java)
Batik is an ancient textile method from the island of Java. Make your own pattern, paint it with soy wax, and dip it in different colors of dye to make a beautifully designed cloth.
Janur (Bali)
Janur, or woven young coconut leaves, are used in ceremonies and celebrations throughout Indonesia and come in many different designs. The Canang Sari is a type of Janur from the island of Bali, used as a daily offering to God. Learn how to weave Canang Sari as a flower bouquet or decorative plate to take home.
Cardboard Bajaj (Jakarta)
Bajaj are auto rickshaws, popular in big cities like Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. These three-wheeled vehicles are known for their noisy motorcycle engines and bright orange paint. Make your own Bajaj out of cardboard and other materials.
Karet Merdeka (Sulawesi)
Lompat karet is the Indonesian version of jump rope, a traditional game from Sulawesi island. Children make long ropes out of karet, rubber bands that they collect and weave together. Make your own karet and take it outside to the lawn to play with other kids.
Cendrawasih (Papua)
Cendrawasih, the bird of paradise, is native to Papua and symbolizes the beauty of nature. The feathers of the cendrawasih grow very long and are very colorful. Make your own cendrawasih from our craft materials — the more colorful the better.
Outdoor: Traditional Indonesian Games and Races
Lompat karet
Learn how to play Indonesian jump rope by jumping over your karet — handmade rubber band rope. But remember, we raise the height of the karet with every successful jump!
Lari Kelereng
Join the lari kelereng, an Indonesian marble race. But take caution — you have to run this race carrying a marble in a spoon, with the handle clamped between your teeth! Races will be held at the top of every hour, except during performance times.
Makan Kerupuk
In this race, all you have to do is eat a kerupuk, an Indonesian rice cracker. But it’s not that easy — the kerupuk is suspended overhead by a string, and no hands allowed! Race times: 11:00am & 3:30pm. Adults welcome!
Bakiak Run
Bring the bakiak you made from your workshop and join this race! You’ll need your friends or family to race with — three people per bakiak. Race times: 12:00am & 4:00pm
Nenek Gerondong
Learn how to play the folk game nenek gerondong — the Indonesian version of tug-of-war. All you need is a witch and a patch of potatoes. How can you play tug-of-war with a witch and potatoes? Come to Indonesia Day to find out!
Food Trucks
Come hungry, and enjoy a picnic on the lawn! The Java Cove food truck will be outside KID Museum serving authentic Indonesian food from Rendang to Satay.
Performances
2:00pm – Indonesian dance performances by Spotlight Studio, presenting traditional dances from West Java and Bali.
3:00pm – Performances by students of Rumah Indonesia, presenting traditional dances from Aceh and Papua, incorporating national songs and traditional costumes.
