Children of all ages enjoy visiting science museums. The exhibits appeal to young and old alike, and there are plenty of hands-on activities, films and special events. Best of all, science museums teach visitors about history, discovery and future endeavors; your visit to a science museum will be a true learning experience.
Science Museums 101
Cities large and small boast museums dedicated to various aspects of science. By visiting museums ranging from large "science and industry" museums to local, topic-specific museums, you can learn about nearly every aspect of science.
Your first task will be to determine which aspects of science your grandchildren enjoy so you can choose an appropriate museum. Ask your grandchildren about their favorite things, and you'll probably hear about dinosaurs, airplanes, dolphins and volcanoes. That's definitely enough to get you started. Check online or read a travel guidebook to find museums dedicated to these areas – natural history, aviation, marine science, geology, and so on – and start planning your trip.
Science museums typically feature exhibits, hands-on activities, special events and "extras" such as IMAX films and butterfly gardens. You'll make good decisions about what to see and do if you take time to research possibilities before your trip. Some museums offer various combination tickets that admit you to exhibits, IMAX films and special events. Consider the ages and interests of your grandchildren as you think about how much time to spend at the museum. Younger children will be content to spend an hour or two experiencing the exhibits, with extra time in play areas. They may or may not be able to sit still for an IMAX film, so you might not want to spend the money on tickets for this type of extra activity. Older children will enjoy more time in the museum exhibit spaces and will probably also want to see a film and participate in a special event.
Some science museums require you to "park" strollers in order to experience some exhibits. If you're planning to bring very young children to a science museum with a policy like this one, you'll need to decide whether or not you'll be able to lead them by the hand and how you'll handle fussy children who might need to be carried.
Decide before you travel whether you'll take your grandchildren to the museum's gift shop. Science museum gift shops are especially tempting. Many of the items on sale are both fun and educational, but that doesn't mean they're all affordable. Check the museum's website to see if you can find out what gift shop items cost. You may be able to purchase similar items for less online or from teacher supply shops. On a recent trip to a science museum, I saw rock candy for sale for $2.99 per piece – much more expensive than at other museums or at "old time" restaurant stores – as well as mood rings for $3.99 (much more reasonable), mini-Slinkies for $1.49 and noise tubes for $4.99.
You will spend more time on your feet at a science museum than you might imagine, especially if your grandchildren are young. The preschool set prefers to run from activity to activity, I have found. Decide in advance how much time you want to spend at the museum and communicate this time frame clearly to your grandchildren. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Planning your visit around mealtimes will help you provide your grandchildren with a nutritious lunch at the proper time. While many science museums have fast food-style restaurants, some do not, and you'll want to think about meals before you travel. If you arrive when the museum opens, typically 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning, you should be finished with your visit just in time for lunch. You could also eat lunch first and then head out to the science museum, although this approach works best for children who have outgrown the need for naps.
Be ready to release your inner child. Sharing the museum experience with your grandchild may mean crawling through tunnels, playing with blocks or creating a new solar system.
Remember to bring your camera.
