Sci-Port Discovery Center

A couple of weekends ago when we visited Grammy and Pop, the entire family took a trip downtown to Sci-Port Discovery Center. You can visit their web page here. It's an awesome hands-on science museum for kids, teenagers, and adults. The last time I went there was when I was in high school and I've always wanted to go back (NERD ALERT!). Having a kid made that wish possible!

We went in and Eli immediately saw the "dis" (fish), so Daddy went over to the aquarium with him and they watched the "dis" happily swimming by them. Notice how big that catfish is...WOW!

In the lobby they have a HUGE contraption-think Mousetrap on steroids-that has all these balls going up, down, and around. There was one place where you could make some of the balls move, so Eli and Pop headed there first.

Then Eli, Uncle Caleb, and Daddy decided to do their rendition of a song from the movie "Big." Did I just date myself?

We bought our tickets, headed upstairs, and went to the kids area first. Eli had lots of fun up here. His favorite station by far was the car. He played there the most of all. I think if we didn't pick him up and move (force) him to come with us, he'd still be there driving the car, turning on the lights, and honking the horn. There was so much to do up there! They had tunnels, a treehouse, water activities, bugs and other critters to look at, magnets, painting, and all other kinds of hands-on activities for kids.

Eli and Pop were using Pop's cell phone to look for the ants in the tunnel.

Look at how neat this place is!

Eli's favorite activity in the kids area. He convinced Pop to wear the hat instead of him :)

Having fun at the water station

Eli getting ready to paint his masterpiece.

Doesn't it look great? He enjoyed getting to paint his fingers.

We left the kids area and began our tour of the rest of the museum. We stopped at the Shadow Wall and the goobers that were with me decided to have some fun making silly shadows.

Then we went to the mini chair lift. You got to pump yourself up about seven feet in the air. I did it with Eli in my lap at first, but then realized that he'd probably have more fun doing it on his own. I was a little hesitant about that at first, but once I realized I could still reach him, I was not as worried. He loved it, too!

Here is another part of the museum. I can't say enough good things about this place. If you are in the area and need something to do, come spend a day here. Your kids will love it!

Pop and Eli had fun building domino bridges.

I tested out all the pulley seats. Look at those muscles! (Yeah right!)

All throughout the day, museum workers hold mini workshops for the kids where you get to do and learn fun things. Eli, Grammy and I went to the Health Zone and learned all sorts of neat information about our blood all by constructing a cookie. We had fun, learned something, and got to have a treat!

Eli's cookie when it was finished complete with edible blood on the top. Yum :)

We continued exploring the museum and found neat exhibits like this one...

Creepy, huh?

Eli was very intrigued by the skeleton riding the bicycle. He kept telling him to "get up!"

We headed downstairs for some more fun. Just look at all the stuff you can do here!

You can pretend to be a paleontologist and dig up dinosaur bones.

You can observe snakes and other creepy crawlers.

After seeing mostly all the inside of the museum, we went outside with some of the museum's workers and watched them demonstrate how to launch rockets using water bottles. Eli loved this part because (1) he was outside (2) he got to see water (3) he was able to be outside and see water. The workers kept asking for volunteers so Grammy showed Eli how to raise his hand and say, "Me! Me! Me!" to see if he'd get picked to do something. And what do you know...

It worked! Grammy was so proud of herself. Eli got to help the worker pump air into the water bottle rocket. He was so happy with himself and even clapped for himself once he was finished.

Look at my big boy help!

We left Sci-Port and went across the street to the river walk area for a quick cool down. They have water fountains similar to the ones where we live-just much bigger- and I knew Eli would love to have a chance to play in the water. It was the perfect way to end our wonderful day! Sci-Port was so much fun! I can't wait to take Eli back when he gets older. I know he'll appreciate it even more then.