Written By: Ziyi Cheng, Boston Children’s Museum Intern
Have you seen the dumpling wall in Boston Children’s Museum’s You, Me, We exhibit kitchen? While ingredients and shapes may change, one thing cultures around the world have in common is a love of dumplings. In September 2024, Mei Mei, a local dumpling business, hosted a Dumpling Folding activity at Boston Children’s Museum, offering Museum visitors the opportunity to learn dumpling folding techniques using gluten-free clay. Mei Mei creates Chinese-American dumplings using New England ingredients. In this blog entry, Boston Children’s Museum intern, Ziyi Cheng, recounts her experience at the Dumpling Folding Activity and its connection to the power of play.
Dumplings are more than just a tasty dish; they hold deep cultural significance across the globe. From Chinese jiaozi to Polish pierogi, dumplings appear in many different forms and flavors, each carrying its own history and cultural identity. During Mei Mei’s Dumpling Folding Activity this past September, children were able to create their own version of a dumpling with clay. By using gluten-free clay, Museum staff and visitors are able to enjoy a tactile, creative experience, while staying mindful of food allergies.
What makes this activity special isn’t just the hands-on fun — it’s the opportunity for children to learn about the richness and diversity of culture through food. While folding clay dumplings, children are encouraged to think about the different types of dumplings from all over the world, highlighting the diversity of people and traditions.
This small, playful entry point opens up larger conversations about global cultures, encouraging children to appreciate different cultures and providing a space where families, caregivers, and educators can engage in meaningful conversations with children about the world around them. Just as language is a reflection of a culture’s identity and history, food too plays a significant role in expressing and preserving cultural heritage.
As children worked on their clay dumplings, they were also able to explore the You, Me, We kitchen’s vibrant display wall featuring different types of dumplings from around the world. This visual guide helped spark curiosity, helping children learn about the many ways dumplings are prepared and enjoyed globally.
Learning through play can spark a lifelong curiosity about different cultures. Whether through food, art, or hands-on science, the Museum is committed to providing experiences that allow children to explore the world in new ways.
The Power of Play 
Fantastic!!!! A wonderful hands on oppurtinity for children and adults to learn. There is a wonderful book called Dumpling Day, Meera Sriron, sold by Barefoot Books.