A girl scout troop from Fairbury got an early start Friday morning because they stayed all night at the Lincoln Children's Museum exploring, creating, and bonding.

The museum's Executive Director Darren Macfee says the brand new way to experience the children's museum is already getting a lot of attention from groups looking for an extended activity that's also educational and easy to plan.

"The wonderful thing about it is we are set-up to provide a huge variety of activities and it really helps the parents- the parents that are the group leaders. It helps to give them ready-made activities, something they know their kids are gonna think is a lot of fun and it helps us out too," said Macfee.

And they can taylor the activities towards each group's interest.

"We have a wide variety of activities and we really gear them for the individual groups. We have art activities, we have space exploration activities, we have play activities, and that's one of the great things about this children's museum that we have here, there's such a wide variety of exhibits that really put kids in the moment and help them really get the most out of these activities. In addition to just creating art activities, they're actually in an artist's studio, which enhances the experience even further," Macfee said.

And art was a focus of the Fairbury girls, whose troop leaders Heidi Layton and Carissa Lufkin say they're working for their "Art to Wear" badge, but also had to demonstrate good behavior.

"This was their chance to show us what they already learned in girl scouts - how to behave in different areas, arenas, how to interact with staff here, and the leaders of the children's museum, and how to follow directions and things like that. And they've they really made us proud! I think they've done everything they've been asked to do to the letter and I'm really proud of them," said Lufkin.

The girls went on a scavenger hunt, painted faces, and created their own t-shirts. So with their handmade souvenirs, and plenty of special memories, they won't soon forget their night at the museum. A goal that Macfee says is part of the museum's mission.

"There's something that happens when you stay overnight as a group. We remember those moments from our childhood as well. And they're really bonding experiences, they help you really get to know your peers in a different light and it's a really memorable experience," Macfee said.

The new overnights program at the Lincoln Children's Museum is open to groups of all kinds like boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups, and 4-H groups. To see more of what the kids created, click on the video links above.

For details about the museum's overnight program, click on the link below or call (402) 477-4000.