I've been following this with some interest, and frankly, it sounds pretty disgusting. Why not put the on real bikes, at the park, where there's stuff to see, and other people to talk to and play with?
Maybe set up a sort of designated path, with little check-in points, with little flags that they collect?
Or, just sit them on the exercise bike, and stand over them with a cat-o-nine-tails for "encouragement."
Good Luck! Rich
HI Rich, I know, at first glance it's sounds pretty silly. I was the roller-skating, running around screaming and hollering, fist fighting type when I was that age. I didn't need any encouragement to get on a bike and go skin my knees.
Truth is it's a low budget children's museum and they want to get kids to exercise but make sure they don't get banged up or kill each other along the way.
Personally, I think taking Darwin out of the equation might be a mistake. Maybe the kid who eats too many marbles shouldn't contribute to the gene pool? , but Hey, whadda I know?
Lawrence
At the Science Museum in St. Paul, MN, there used to be an exhibit where you could climb on an exercise bike and generate electricity. (It might still be there - I haven't been there in ~20 years.) There was a sort of panel on the handlebars, with a couple of meters, some lights, and a TV. As long as you kept pedaling, you could watch the TV. It was also kind of cool watching the meters respond. :-)
Have Fun! Rich
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