We recently spent the afternoon exploring Planet Word, the immersive language museum tucked inside the beautifully restored Franklin School building in D.C. If you’re the kind of person who lights up at a clever pun or a beautifully turned phrase—or if your kid has a growing curiosity about how we communicate—this place is a must-see.

From the moment we walked up to the entrance, the experience began. Outside stands a whimsical “Speaking Willow” tree, its white branches draped in hanging speakers that whisper greetings in dozens of languages. My daughter was mesmerized. Each speaker seemed to hold a secret, and she darted from one to the next, delighted by the swirl of unfamiliar syllables and accents. It felt like we were walking through a forest of voices—gentle, musical, and full of promise.

Inside, the magic continued. The first thing that grabbed our attention was the massive, floating three-dimensional word cloud hanging in the atrium. The installation doesn’t just look cool—it’s interactive and surprisingly educational. As we explored it, we learned about the many languages that have shaped English, the surprising origins of everyday words, and the intricate, evolving nature of the language we speak. My daughter treated it like a puzzle to be solved, while I appreciated how the display made the complexity of English feel accessible and fun.

One of our favorite exhibits allowed visitors to “paint” a digital scene using adjectives. You selected a word—like parched, tempestuous, or hibernal—and the virtual paintbrush transformed the landscape accordingly. It was a creative and hands-on way to show how word choice shapes tone, mood, and meaning. My daughter loved watching how a single word could completely change the world on screen. It was playful but deeply insightful.

We also couldn’t resist the karaoke room. At first glance, it just looked like a fun break in the museum—but it had a deeper purpose. As we sang along to pop songs and classics, the lyrics were annotated with lessons about rhyme, metaphor, repetition, and rhythm. It was such a clever way to show how the tools of poetry are everywhere, including in music we listen to every day.

Another standout was the room focused on advertising and persuasion. We explored how marketers use language—everything from emotional appeals to clever wordplay—to shape our perceptions and decisions. It was eye-opening to see the psychology behind the slogans and ads we’re bombarded with all the time, broken down in a way that was both kid-friendly and thought-provoking.

We played games that tested our vocabulary, explored the roots of English, and tried our hand at delivering famous speeches. Each room was a different kind of playground—some theatrical, some digital, all thoughtful. It’s the kind of place that invites both reflection and laughter, and somehow makes grammar, rhetoric, and etymology feel like magic tricks.

One of my favorite moments came when we stood in a quiet corner listening to stories in different languages. It reminded me that language is deeply human—how we connect, express, and make meaning. Watching my daughter interact so naturally with these exhibits—laughing, thinking, asking smart questions—made me proud of how curious and open she is. This place brought that out in her.

If you plan to go, give yourself some time to wander and play. Admission is free, though timed-entry tickets are required. And make sure your kid is into words, stories, or tech-driven museum experiences—Planet Word is incredibly cool, but it’s definitely geared toward those who enjoy thinking and engaging with language.

We left feeling inspired, buzzing with ideas and favorite words, and already talking about when we’ll come back. Planet Word is more than a museum—it’s a celebration of everything language makes possible.