It was a joyful Sunday in Brooklyn as the city’s beloved Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrated a major milestone — 125 years of sparking imagination in kids — with a surprise $10,000 award from Smurfs & Paramount Pictures and a special visit from some tiny blue icons.
On July 13, the museum welcomed Smurfette, Papa Smurf and the mysterious No Name, who came all the way from their mushroom village to party with families at the museum’s SMURFS Summer event. The visit comes just ahead of the new Smurfs movie hitting theatres on July 18, featuring pop star Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette.
But this wasn’t just a photo-op.
As part of the celebration, Paramount Pictures donated $10,000 to support the museum’s work — a meaningful gesture as BCM (Brooklyn Children’s Museum) continues its mission to inspire learning through play, curiosity, and creativity.
A Day Full of Smurfy Fun
Families who stopped by on Sunday enjoyed a lively, Smurfs-themed day filled with creative activities, music, and playful moments that brought a splash of blue to every corner of the museum and a rooftop dance party with music from the upcoming film’s soundtrack.
“This was one for the books,” said Atiba T. Edwards, President & CEO of the museum. “Everyone had a blast — and we’re thankful to Paramount for making it happen. It’s these kinds of partnerships that keep our mission alive.”
A Perfect Match: Smurfs + BCM
For Paramount, teaming up with the world’s oldest children’s museum made perfect sense.
“The Smurfs are all about teamwork, creativity, and a sense of adventure,” said Jennifer Lynch, Senior VP of Global Corporate Social Responsibility at Paramount Pictures. “Those same values are found at Brooklyn Children’s Museum every day.”
Founded in 1899, the museum has been a fixture in Crown Heights for generations. It now welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually, offering exhibits that explore science, art, world cultures, and nature — all designed with kids in mind.
And with a visit from the Smurfs and support from Paramount, it’s clear the museum’s legacy is still growing — even at 125 years old.
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