How roll-on deodorant and pen caps led to cool innovations at Crayola Experience

The newest attraction at the Crayola Experience in Orlando thinks “outside the box,” as it reveals how everyday items influenced the creation of timeless products that have sparked children’s creativity for more than 100 years.

How have some of Crayola’s popular products come into being? Outside the Box reveals the origin stories behind kid-favorite items, including the original crayons themselves, through colorful displays and fascinating infographic panels.

Victoria Lozano, Crayola’s senior vice president and general manager-attractions, retail and development, affirms, “We went deep into the archives and interviewed employees to find the never-before-told, behind-the-scenes stories of how pen caps, roll-on deodorant, and tiered cakes have inspired some of Crayola’s coolest inventions. Not only can guests learn the real source of their favorite products, each month they’ll also get to try different, novel Crayola creations.”

A second new attraction, Texture CRAYze, lets kids’ imaginations run wild as they make “out-of-this-world” crayon-rubbing art featuring crayon characters, funny foods, and space-themed creatures.

Possibly most exciting, the Crayola Experience gets into the holiday spirit with its “Colorful Christmas” event, taking place now through Jan. 4. Families can enjoy limited-time winter-themed attractions, including:

• “The Singing Light Show,” featuring Scarlet and her reindeers, the Sleigh-Bell Singers, belting out rockin’ holiday tunes.
• Life-sized animatronic characters Randy the Reindeer, who tells stories about life at the North Pole, and his friend Edwin the Painting Snowman.
• Forest Green the Singing Christmas tree adds to the holiday atmosphere with rousing sing-alongs.

Children can also hand-make a gingerbread man ornament, winter penguin, and Christmas cracker for gift-giving, or discover clues hidden throughout the attractions as they take part in the Holiday Adventure Hunt to help Santa save Christmas. For an additional fee, they can create their own glittering Christmas stocking or melted-wax ornament.

Seasonal themed beverages—the icy Melted Snowman, green apple Elf Potion, and strawberry Down the Chimney—will be available for purchase, and each includes a holiday cookie and a North Pole Café selfie photo-op.

Pop into the Crayola Store before departing to find the world’s largest selection of Crayola products and unique gifts found only at the store.

Crayola Experience, located at the Florida Mall, is one of Orlando’s best attractions for families with young children, with 26 hands-on, kid-friendly experiences spread across a massive, 70,000 square feet of fun.

COVID-19 safety protocols are in place for a healthy visit, including required face masks for ages 3 and up, physical distancing, timed entry, temperature checks, cashless transactions, and a “clear bags only” policy for touchless security screening.

The attraction will be open for special holiday hours, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, Dec. 21 – Jan. 3. Tickets are required for entry. For more information visit CrayolaExpeience.com/Orlando.