Community Spotlight: Wonderlab Museum

There is plenty in the Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Bedford areas to occupy your time and your kids time, but if you’d like to try something a little bit different to keep them entertained, try the local Wonderlab Museum. Parents today are always looking for a unique way to entertain their children, so how would you like to do just that and maybe have them learn a little something along the way?

About Wonderlab 

With learning experiences for nearly every age group, your kids aren’t even going to know that they’re learning something from this spectacular science related museum. The best part is that you don’t even have to worry about your kids touching or breaking something because Wonderlab is touch-friendly. In fact, they encourage it.

WonderLab is in the heart of Bloomington’s cultural district, 308 W. 4th St., just along the B-Line Trail. Operational hours are Tuesday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday: 1 – 5 p.m.

Exhibit Fun

Once you’re at the museum, you’ll find over 65 different exhibits that allow your kiddos to get hands-on with the science in front of them. If your little ones are crazy about bubbles, then head to the Bubble-Airium where they’ll learn all about the science behind these soapy floating globes. They’ll think they’re getting to play with some of their favorite objects, but you’ll know they’re learning about several different scientific concepts. It’s a win-win!

Here are some regular programs at WonderLab:

  • Dive Deeper, Wednesdays and Sundays 2 – 2:30 p.m.; live demonstration at the Coral Reef
  • STEM Sunday, Sundays 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.; engineering challenge designed for kids and families
  • Science Sprouts, Wednesdays 4:15 p.m./Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. and 10 a.m.; science program for children birth through age three.
  • Discovery Time, Wednesdays 10 a.m.; program for scientists aged three to six years.
  • CoderDojo, every third Thursday of the month at 4:45 p.m.; coding and computer science for kids ages seven through seventeen.

If you have toddlers in the family, head over to the George and Evelyn Brabson Discovery Garden. Built for kids under the age of six, this exhibit allows children to climb, learn about animal habitats, or just to play with some science-friendly items like magnets. Don’t worry about the older kids, they’ll be visible from behind this fenced area.

For your little reptile enthusiasts, you can spend a good part of your day in the Fitzgerald Hall of Natural Science. Featuring bugs, lizards, frogs, and more, your lover of the creepy crawlies will have a blast in this section of the museum. They will be able to observe live creatures in a habitat much like their own. In addition to the live animals, you can also get up close and personal with a complete coral reef.

But Wait…There’s More 

If your child is crazy about his or her experience at the museum, then make a whole day of it with WonderCamp!  This in-depth program offers your children the option of learning more about space, science, gardening, and more for a day at a time or a week at a time. Available for every age group from Kindergarten to 8th grade, your kids will be out of the house learning and having a blast at the same time.

A World of Possibilities

Awaken a passion within your kids through the world of touch-encouraged learning. You may find that your child has a great love for all things science with just a day’s visit. The museum offers memberships for frequent visitors, so if you’re planning on making the museum a habit, it may be wise to join. Don’t spend another rainy day wrapped up in electronics and repeated cries of boredom. Get the whole family out of the house and spend the day together at Wonderlab.

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