Imagine a day packed with space exploration, interactive exhibits, up-close animal encounters, and more. Now imagine spending that day with your child, watching as he is mesmerized and enchanted by all that the world of science has to offer.
It’s never too soon to begin your child’s journey into the amazing world of science. Many science centers offer a variety of exciting activities and exhibits designed specifically for children as young as three years old. So there’s no reason not to make a day of it, and head out to the science center nearest you.
If you want to travel a bit further, all of the science centers listed below are recommended because they offer hands-on and interactive activities for kids of all ages — and plenty of interesting exhibits for Mom and Dad, as well.
East Coast
Any young stargazer is sure to love a trip to the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. If your child is in first grade or below, head over to the special 40-minute planetarium show Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky. Or if your child loves trips to the zoo, take in a Live Animal Presentation that explores the behaviors, adaptation, and ecology of the animal being presented. And when it’s time for some hands-on learning, take your child to the DiscoveryCenter to touch real fossils, assemble a skeleton, and more.
Too far away from the Museum of Science? We recommend the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey or the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Midwest
The Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio provides kids with the opportunity to view — and touch — more than 300 exhibits. Little ones can climb, slide, build, and splash to their heart’s content in the Little Kidspace, which features a play health clinic, tree house, and power plant. (A staffed entrance keeps kids from wandering off). When your little scientist has had his fill there, try to squeeze in a couple of the live shows, like Rat Basketball (yes, you read that right) and The Electrostatic Generator Show.
Need an alternative? Head over to the St. Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri or the Michigan Science Center in Detroit, Michigan.
West Coast
Starting on April 17th, you can be one of the first to visit the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California at their brand-new location at Pier 15. While there will be some changes, the Exploratorium is sure to still offer a wide array of kid-friendly activities and galleries as it has in the past, as well as breathtaking views from the Bay Observatory.
Can’t wait for the Exploratorium to open? We recommend the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California or the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington.
South
If you’re looking for a day of excitement and learning, look no further than the Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Take your little one to the Raspberry-Powers Children’s Gallery and the construction-themed Kids@Work play area. The Space Dome also offers a showing of Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky, a planetarium show for kids in first grade or below. Learn about the science of rivers at the Red River Gallery, which features an interactive theater, terrariums housing a variety of animals, including turtles and alligators, and much more.
Looking for more kid-approved science centers in the southern United States? Try the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Alabama or the Discovery Science Place in Tyler, Texas.
Besides exciting your child’s imagination and encouraging a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and discovery, taking your child to a science center has another added benefit: it’s fun! With special exhibits on everything from the science behind distilleries to how solar storms affect the technology we use, you’re sure to enjoy yourself at any of these fantastic museums.
For information about any of the science centers mentioned, please follow the link in each paragraph to the museum’s website.
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