Discovering CREA: Where Movement Meets Technology in Brooklyn
Picture this: children leaping and crouching to tap projected asteroids floating across enormous video game backdrops, their movements triggering bursts of color and sound. This wasn't a scene from a futuristic movie—it was my introduction to CREA, a unique interactive space at Industry City in Brooklyn that's redefining how kids learn through play.
A Space That Lives and Breathes
As someone constantly in search of creative spaces and innovative learning environments, I was immediately captivated by what I witnessed. Children threw beanbags at targets, each hit rewarded with visual explosions. Suddenly, they abandoned their stations to race along a pathway lined with illuminated Power Packs—glowing stations that changed color as hands slammed them in sequence, turning their bodies into game controllers.
What struck me most was the thoughtful balance between high-tech and analog experiences. Alongside sophisticated projection systems, the space featured oversized therapeutic balls for exploration, hammocks suspended from the ceiling for quiet moments, a rotating climbing wall, and a bright climbing structure. The lighting responded to movement, colors shifted throughout the space, and music provided rhythm as children moved naturally between stations with genuine engagement.
I watched in fascination as kids developed coordination, problem-solving skills, and collaboration while fully absorbed in play—learning without traditional instruction through movement and creative interaction.
Meeting the Visionaries
As I observed this remarkable environment, co-founder Kate Gyllenhaal began sharing her vision for creating an interactive space that combines movement, gaming, and creativity around environmental themes. "CREA actually means 'create' in Latin," she explained with evident passion. "We wanted to merge creative movement with creative technology in a way that stimulates both movement and creativity."
Kate described the HERO adventure unfolding before us as a series of four adrenaline-pumping missions through deep space. She continued to outline CREA's summer camps, after-school programs, and school partnerships, all centered around teaching design thinking and STEAM-based game design skills. As a longtime advocate of design thinking, I was thrilled to see how CREA uses this approach to engage kids in designing their own games while continuously iterating and adding new experiences to the space.
I shared my own work as an ambassador of design thinking, creativity, and innovative technology in schools. What a joy to discover not only such an exciting and engaging space for children, but also a kindred spirit. We made plans to meet again and continue discussing our shared passion for creating engaging learning spaces where children learn with creative technology.
A Deeper Collaboration
At our next meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting co-founder Elizabeth Spratt, whose fascination with technology parallels my own. Soon we were sharing experiences about empowering kids with circuit boards and code. Elizabeth and Kate invited me to join them for their next school vacation camp to design STEAM-based activities around a new game theme centered on Arctic Melt.
What an incredible collaboration! I quickly began designing prototypes using Scratch and circuit boards that would engage campers in the process of designing games that could help address Arctic Melt challenges.
Learning Through Collaboration
The experience of working with the CREA team taught me so much. A professional game designer kicked off the week, setting an inspiring tone. The camp leaders were masterful guides, leading children through game missions while balancing structure and free play to create days filled with fun, engaging learning. I had the opportunity to follow the design thinking process, testing and revising my prototypes of STEAM activities in real-time with enthusiastic young participants.
Reflections and Gratitude
I'm deeply grateful to the CREA team for giving me the chance to experience their space both as an observer and as an educational experience designer. The opportunity to see learning happen through movement, technology, and creative collaboration reinforced my belief in the power of hands-on minds-on innovative educational experiences
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And yes, I even brought my grandkids—who immediately begged to return for another CREA camp. Their enthusiasm was perhaps the best testament to what Kate, Elizabeth, and their team have created: a space where learning feels like the most natural thing in the world.
CREA demonstrates how physical activity, technology, game design, and purposeful themes can create experiences that both engage and educate. It's a model worth studying and celebrating as we continue to reimagine what learning spaces can be.
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