Family Fun in New York City: New York Hall of Science

Family Fun in New York City: New York Hall of Science

Heather Johnson

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Family Fun in New York City: New York Hall of Science

For Christmas last year, my parents bought my family an annual membership to the Children’s Discovery Museum. The museum is part of the ASTC Travel Passport Program, which means that my kiddos and I can visit other museums in the network for free (with some exclusions). One of the participating museums in the New York City area is the New York Hall of Science, which my children and I visited during our second trip to the city last September.

Mars Rover Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science Microbe Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science 1

Microbe Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science 2 Alvin Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science, or NYSCI, is a science museum located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens. Home to more than 400 hands-on exhibits focus on biology, chemistry, and physics, the museum occupies one of the few remaining structures from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. NYSCI is the only hands-on science and technology center in New York City.

Outer Space Ice Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science Water Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science

Infant Area at the New York Hall of Science Preschool Place at the New York Hall of Science 1

My daughter loves visiting “touch museums,” so I knew the New York Hall of Science would be a huge hit with her. As soon as we entered the building, she started touching and interacting with the variety of science exhibits. She really enjoyed the Mars rover exhibit, which allowed her to move around the rover (with a little adult help) just like Curious George. I was quite impressed with all the exhibits as well. So many had touch-and-feel components, which are perfect for a preschooler. I could also read portions of the accompanying signs aloud to my kiddos. A lot of the information was meant for older children, but my daughter still had a great time running around the museum.

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Preschool Place at the New York Hall of Science 2 Space Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science

Interactive Computer Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science Treehouse at the New York Hall of Science

For parents with younger children like my daughter and son, the New York Hall of Science also had a section designed especially for the youngest scientists. Preschool Place is a protected area in which the youngest visitors can experience multi-sensory activities. The exhibit is specially designed to meet the developmental needs of children ages birth to 6 years old. My daughter loved playing with all the toys, and my son enjoyed crawling around the infant area. I appreciated the enclosed area, which allowed my preschooler to run around on her own a bit without my having to worry about her disappearing.

Hall of Mirrors at the New York Hall of Science Zoo Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science
Mathematica Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science is a fabulous hands-on science in New York City. My kids and I spent an afternoon exploring the museum. Even better, NYSCI is located conveniently next to the Queens Zoo, so you can make an entire day out of visiting both attractions. If you are ever in the New York City area and are looking for some fun activities to do with children, I highly recommend the New York Hall of Science.

For more information, visit the New York Hall of Science website.

Image Credits

Family Fun in New York City: New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Mars Rover Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Microbe Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Microbe Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Alvin Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Outer Space Ice Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Water Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Infant Area at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Preschool Place at the New York Hall of Science 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Preschool Place at the New York Hall of Science 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Space Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Interactive Computer Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Treehouse at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Hall of Mirrors at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Zoo Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson
Mathematica Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science © 2015 Heather Johnson

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