Now through September 1, 2013, Kohl Children's Museum's new exhibit SPIN teaches young people about the science of rotation in a fun and educational way. Using engaging exhibits and everyday examples, “SPIN” allows visitors to explore how objects spin, why different objects spin at different speeds and the science behind wheels, gears, tops, and other spinning objects they encounter every day.
The exhibit features:
- The Human Centrifuge: Heads will spin as up to four guests sit in this innovative tub and push against a fixed wheel to explore how inertia works. Children and grownups alike will want to sit and spin to investigate how their efforts impact the effects of inertia.
- Let It Roll: Guests join in friendly competition as they race various objects along the tracks and switch out objects by size and weight to explore how these changes impact the way things spin.
- Laser Show: A laser light show is about more than just a rockin’ sound track. Guests will find out the science behind this visual entertainment by creating their very own mini-laser show using a spinning backdrop.
My Macaroni Kid loved spinning in the Human Centrifuge!
See the young woman in the picture with him? She is one of many great exhibit guides at the museum. This guide, Michelle, and my son hit it off and she was a wonderful playmate leading him through the exhibit.
Along with the SPIN exhibit, Kohl Children's Museum has 17 other interactive, hands-on exhibits. Kids can experience grocery shopping, eating and preparing sandwiches at a kids' sized Potbelly, caring for animals as a vet, playing with water pressure and more. The museum also offers a lovely outdoor space with climbing equipment, sculptures and flowers and plants that encourage touching and smelling. Every exhibit offers wonderful self-directed play opportunities!
An easy 30 minute drive from Chicago, Kohl Children's Museum is located in Glenview, IL. The museum includes a gift shop with great books, toys and activities to support the learning happening in the museum, a craft room, a Cosi for a lunch or snack break and (my personal favorite) a HUGE, FREE parking lot! How tired are you of circling the block looking for parking or paying high parking garage prices when you go out with your kids? Not an issue at Kohl Children's Museum!
The SPIN exhibit runs through September 1 and my Mac Kid and I highly recommend it!
The Museum is open on Monday from 9:30AM to 12PM, Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30AM to 5PM and Sunday, 12PM to 5PM. Admission prices are $9.50 for children and adults and $8.50 for senior citizens. Children under 1 year old and members are free.
Disclosure: My son and I were given free admission to the museum to facilitate this article, but as always, all opinions are my own.
