I often ask the young people and their parents who visit the International Cryptozoology Museum what they have in their own “collections.” I have found talking about “cabinets of curiosity” with kids is a way to visually have them realize their interests can be displayed on the top of their chest of drawers, a shelf, or a corner of their room. These gatherings can lend themselves to the beginnings of small, dedicated collections of natural history objects, cryptid models, and favorite mementos. From these, learning evolves.

Below is a small display at the ICM demonstrating what an old classic cabinet of curiosity looks like, physically. Of course, the entire museum is a Cabinet of Curiosity or Wonder, and in German Kunstkammer or Wunderkammer (wonder-room).