The Science Center in St Louis has free entry for everyone! I really thought, “You get what you pay for” and figured an hour or 2 would be all the enjoyment we would get. However, this was a legit science center, full of various exhibits and interactive learning. We spent 4 hours and didn’t get enough.
Parking costs $12/car. There is a pull-through driveway, so drop off mom and the kids so you can get started on the fun! The parking is a bit of a walk.
TIP: On Saturday there is street parking available that is closer than the parking lot in places. If you are patient you might snag a free spot like we did.
Areas of the Sciences
We started outside in the garden area. There was a water play area where the kids got soaked so they were happy to be outside in the heat (I say heat, but compared to Texas it was so pleasant there!) We learned about natural resources, gardening and listened to an expert on soil teach us how everything is connected to and comes from the soil.
After going inside, we experienced life-size puzzles and math games. We played with the puzzles while waiting in line to play a brain game competing in how well you can relax your brain waves (Jackson lost miserably! big surprise there, that kids never stops!) Slowly and when everyone was ready, we meandered to a lab room with puzzles, activities, and puppets to learn about inside the human body. There was a computer lab where you could test your own DNA (but we got there too late to do it).
Downstairs there was a live presentation about different chemical and chemical reactions. I was able to listen from upstairs as my kids played with various things in the life science area. We went downstairs to learn about dinosaurs, history, and earth sciences (like earthquakes and landforms).
My baby was getting tired, so my husband walked her out on a tunnel that extends over the freeway. He saw exhibits on planets and solar systems.
We went up to the 3rd floor to an area teaching physics. The kids were in love and I wish we had come here first. They build boats with sails to race on a water track. The built airplanes to fly up a wind tunnel. and my daughter was constructing a lifesize wagon to pull. All in the same area. I loved watching their creativity with the different materials. Also, their failures were learning opportunities as we talked about why they failed.
Additional Costs:
There was a theater you could pay to watch a show. There was also a traveling exhibit that costs to get into. The planetarium also has shows that cost. But pretty much the museum is completely open for free.
We were there for 4 hours and I don’t feel like we scratched the surface of things to do. You could spend an entire day here and not get bored! We love the sciences and it is so neat to have them all under one roof for our kids (and myself!) to explore! Sorry, I don’t have more photos of our day! We really got involved in our learning and enjoyment and photos weren’t in our top priorities.
Find our St. Louis Day Itinerary here
Read about the St. Louis Free ZOO here.
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