ann arbor hands-on museum

I am a homeschooling mom of four boys and we have a membership at the Maryland science Center. With this membership we have FREE access to the majority of science centers in the country. We have visited science centers in New York City, San Diego, Lansing Michigan, Ann Arbor Michigan, orange county California, and Dallas Texas.For the most part all of the science centers are engaging, fun and educational if kids take the time to stop and read the directions and then do the activities. The Ann Arbor hands on Museum is filled with activities for young children as well as for the preteen. There is a separate toddler which has many wonderful activities and since it is in an enclosed space, you don't have to worry about your kid running off. The rest of the museum is geared up to the age of 14 I would say. I use many of the activities to explain scientific theories , laws as well as exploring new discoveries. The museum also has many classes and activities that are listed on their website as well as on an app that you can download for free. There is no cafeteria however right around the corner through our great coffee shops, and organic grocery store as well as restaurant, A tea house and a wonderful little bookstore. If nothing else it's a great place to escape the cold and let the kids run around.

We took the kids here on a snow day. My son, who is 6 had been here on field trips twice before. This place does not get old. They are consistently updating and putting in new attractions. My 3 years old just loved it and has been talking about it for an entire week. We ended up purchasing the family membership and plan to go back on a regular basis. If you have a membership you also get discounts on birthday parties. Such a great idea for a kid.....

Great atmosphere for learning hands on. Very safe enviornment with a helpful staff. Very busy on weekends, especially in the winter.

This Museum is a great place for kids to learn and gain some scientific knowledge. It's a cool place to spend some time with your kids.

Very nice place for kids to learn from the displays but the entrance price is so bloody high that the kids who need it the most can't even think of going there. The place needs to be supported bylocal business, and school system, and the city, and NOT by entrance fees.

The name says 'museum,' but it's almost a play space (with science)...most of the exhibits are interactive, and all of them are set up to amaze and amuse. Grownups can have just as much fun as the kids (I especially like the arch-building and the tank that teaches fluid dynamics). The gift shop is, as they always are, dangerously attractive to children, but there are some inexpensive yet fun items available, and the big-ticket items are probably really worth the price. I don't know whether this is still the case or not, but it used to be possible to arrange kids' birthday parties there--great idea (though not cheap). The building itself is fun (the old part of it is a former fire station). Not as extensive as COSI or the Toronto Science Centre, but that's actually probably better for folks with fairly small children; it's something you can do without wearing everyone out. I recommend it heartily!

This place is just what it says. It's super fun and a very relaxed place to enjoy yourself with you teenage kids. Try it and you'll love it. HANDS ON!!!!!!

This small, but fun museum is great for younger children. There were plenty of things for them to touch and explore. the size was just right. We spent a couple of hours and then ended at the gift shop where they sell some neat science-related toys, etc. Make sure you feed your kids before you go.

This is a nice place for creative scientific kind of fun for young to middle age kids. Parking is certainly an issue though, so plan ahead. Good venue for birthday parties.

Great active spot for children on a cold winter day or a steamy summer day! Advisory: on the weekend or on a PA Day off school, it will be packed to the rafters with kids the age of those you are accompanying!! Be prepared to wait for each child's favourite activity to be available! Nevertheless, prepared for fun and learning!

Very interactive and engaging. Too much to see in one visit with our kids. We will be back! We didn't see any on-site food options to purchase, which would have been nice and convenient. Good thing we ate before we got there.

Usually we plan activities with our young kids, thinking of only spending an hour or two someplace. We came here and spent almost an entire day. Lots of creative activities for both kids, one preschooler and a 2nd grader. Their play styles are different but both were very much engaged in the activities and exhibits. We packed a lunch before we drove there. When both kids became "hangry" (hungry angry) I grabbed it from the car and we sat down on the second floor snack area and ate. Very busy on the Saturday we went but there is so much space that we never felt crowded. The staff was helpful and the teenage workers that were helping with games were trying their hardest to keep the little one's interest. My only negative about the place is the parking situation. Parking is only on the surrounding streets which require frequent trips to the meters (which only allow 2 hour max) to pump quarters in it. I would rather pay the $5 and stay for several hours over having to run out and add quarters every 2. Cost is pretty high at $12PP but we have a membership to a local museum which cuts the cost in half. Will go again soon!

SOmething for every kid. My two year old grandson loved the ambulance he could climb into.A 6 year old granddaughter loved the many projects. There is just a lot to do, and a lot of space to run around in getting from one thing to another. Learn something and get worn out: perfect for grandkids. I would say there is something for everyone up to age 12, or 10 for a real sophisticate.

Take a break from video games and iPads and visit the Ann Arbor Hands-On-Museum. It is full of stimulating exhibits that challenge the minds and imaginations of the young and the old. Our family has visited just for fun and we held a birthday party there for our child's 3rd grade classmates. The Museum staff did a wonderful job. Entry is a little expensive but visits may last for hours. The price is well worth seeing your child's face light up in wonder.

This small museum, based in the old Ann Arbor firehouse, is extremely well thought out for children probably up to the age of 12 or more. The toddler room is particularly inviting, and good for hours of play. Scientific concepts are explained and demonstrated very entertainingly, and everything encourages touch, replay, and curiosity.