By Nick Dekker
Posted On: Apr 8, 2022
Spring break is upon us, and like many parents we're looking for fun outings for our family. One of our favorite activities is exploring a science museum, and Ohio offers several great institutions with hands-on exhibitions, educational films, and creative displays that keep us engaged all day long.
COSI in Columbus
COSI in Columbus is a favorite stop year-round for families. Our boys love going there – their regular exhibitions give them hands-on experiences with energy, oceanography, engineering, history, space travel, you name it. Favorites include the ocean room, the dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History exhibit, and catching any of fun showcases like rat basketball.
Right now COSI is featuring Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes, a traveling exhibition that explores the cultural impact of the Marvel comics, movies, and TV shows. As big fans of the movies, we loved seeing more than 300 artifacts, including original comics and artwork, costumes and props from Marvel movies, and displays highlighting the universe of characters. Marvel is open through May 30, 2022.
Cincinnati Museum Terminal
Our boys also love all things Pixar, and the Cincinnati Museum Center is currently featuring The Science of Pixar, an exhibition that delves into how animated films are created and the science and technology behind them. With eight interactive pieces, Science of Pixar engages visitors with different STEM concepts and the steps of making an animated feature film: modeling, rigging, surfaces, sets and cameras, animation, simulation, lighting, and rendering. Science of Pixar is open through April 24, 2022, with special Friday evening hours.
And any visit to the Museum Terminal should include time in the Duke Energy Children's Museum, the history centers, dinosaur exhibits, Omnimax theatre, and more.
The Works in Newark
This science, technology, and history museum in downtown Newark always delights. Explore an entire floor of hands-on activities, visit the art gallery, see a show in the planetarium, tinker in the Discovery Lab, see historic displays and artifacts dedicated to Newark's industrial history, watch artists blowing glass in the shop.
Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland
The Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland just launched a new exhibition that's perfect for the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The Science of Rock N' Roll. The show is included in your general admission, and explores the ever-changing technology behind the music industry and the physiological effects of music on your mind and body. Kids get hands-on experience playing instruments to create their own music while they learn the history of the music industry, too.
There's always plenty to do at the science center, from interactive exhibits to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, to seeing the William G. Mather steamship docked outside. The Cleveland Clinic DOME Theatre also features a collection of stunning films like Everest and Dinosaurs of Antarctica.
Imagination Station in Toledo
You could spend an entire weekend exploring Imagination Station in downtown Toledo. It's loaded with multiple floors of interactive exhibitions perfect for kids of all ages. Visit the Idea Lab to build and race your own cars, create your own animated cartoon, or design an earthquake-proof structure. Learn about everything from energy and electrical circuits to farms and flight, magnets, optical illusions, food production, water, and so much more.
Check out the latest shows in the KeyBank Discovery Theater and the newest exhibition, Worst-Case Scenario: Survival Experience.
There are many more science centers and museums across Ohio, from the Lake Erie Science & Nature Center in Bay Village, the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, the Akron Fossils & Science Center, and more!
What's your favorite space to play and learn?
For more family fun and educational activities in Ohio, check out #OhioFindItHere at Ohio.org.
