On Sunday, we got to visit the new Austin children’s museum, Thinkery. My mom was so thoughtful, and bought my family a membership for 2014! This past weekend was a members only preview, and they had some extra special treats like a photo booth, cupcakes, and face painting!
Thinkery is so much better than the original children’s museum (which no longer exists). My kids are 9, 7, and 5 and I felt like the museum exhibits were just right for those ages. Any younger*, and I’m sure they will have fun, but not really ENGAGE in most of the exhibits (downstairs). It was fun to watch my kids go from room to room and explore! Let’s start with the downstairs!
* The museum has a baby/toddler room upstairs and a baby/toddler “playpen” downstairs
When you walk in they have walls filled with people’s faces! You go to a photo booth and when you take your picture, it will come up on the wall for about a minute! Can you find Rilyn?
I believe James did this activity 4 times! He loves seeing his picture in lights! lol
The first floor is more for older kids-age 4 and up (I would say).
My kids loved painting on windows! Then they have squeegees you can use to “erase”!
Ella tinkering with lights and wires
Loved watching my kids engage!
This room said age 7 and up, but they let everyone explore it (maybe because it was a preview). This is a plane launcher. You can see the plane Rilyn built ready to launch! You can measure how far it flew and use different wings next time, etc.
watching Asher’s plane fly!
In this “older kids room” they also had a hot wax machine for kids to make wax sculptures, but it wasn’t on when we were in there. This is just a cool pic of the girls exploring in that room. 🙂
My favorite room was the “light room”. Here is a life-size Lite Brite! How fun! This was Asher’s favorite room too!
playing with shadows and lights!
This was in the “Mi familia” room which is from the old museum. Lots of pretend play in here!
Pinata time!
There was a “backyard” (not pictured), which looked cool, but my kids said it was only “okay” after they played out there. I’m sure younger ones would love it!
Upstairs was a water room. You will get wet here and they even provide Crocs for your kids to change into, waterproof aprons, and dryers! This was Ella’s favorite room!
Asher about to get wet!
More pretend grocery and kitchen play upstairs!
There was a “motion room” which was, I think, for younger kids, but Rilyn insisted on jumping in!
Rilyn’s favorite room was the “experiment room” which will have different experiments each month(?)
All in all, it was a fun experience, and we are looking forward to going back and letting the kids explore and learn some more! Go check it out!
the paquettes 