Birmingham, AL: McWane Science Center

 

 

My kiddos love visiting the  McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama.  It is a great place to let kiddos run around for a few hours (for us, it’s usually about 3-4 hours).  We are members and visit several times a month. The kids see and learn something new every time we go.

The great thing about the McWane Science Center  is that the kids are learning so much while they are playing.  It is a great place to take kiddos for an interactive learning experience that is also a lot of fun.

 

Above:  photo via

 

 

LEVEL ONE

Level One is where you first enter the McWane Center. This is where you can find the IMAX Movie Dome, the Smart Café, and The Really Cool Stuff Store.  The lobby and ticketing area is located here as well. The kiddos always have a lot of fun at the exhibits on Level One – like the Construction Zone, the Bubble Room, and the Body Challenge (plus several more educational & interactive activities). There are also restrooms and elevators located on this level.

 

Below:  My son could watch this all day…The Vulcan Dream Machine… right next to the lobby and ticketing area.

 

Below: Laying on a bed of nails (we first laid on a flat plastic bed and then the nails slowly rose and lifted our bodies, until we were lying on a bed of nails).

 

 

 

Above: Photo via

 

 

Below: The Bubble Room is always a big hit!

 

Below: Mindball – Move a small ball with your MIND!!

 

Below: The Demonstration Station. We have learned how to balance 17 nails on the head of 1 nail and we also learned to make music with pipes here.

 

 

 

LOWER LEVEL: World of Water

Below: We headed down to the World of Water Exhibit. We were able to learn about Alabama’s rivers in the River Journey section and see a few fish from different oceans in the Ocean Journey. This area also has a Shark and Ray Touch Tank and an Aqua Scape Theatre. There are restrooms located on this level, as well as a cafeteria with vending machines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below: In the World of Water Exhibit, there is the Shark and Sting Ray Touch Tank. The kids really like getting to “pet” the sharks and rays here.

 

 

 

LEVEL TWO

Below: The High Cycle located on Level Two at the McWane Center

 

 

Below: My kiddos LOVE Itty Bitty Magic City and they are sad that they are too old to play here anymore. It is designed for pre-school aged children (kindergarteners and younger), but older siblings are allowed to enter with their younger brother or sister.  There is a mini diner, a playground, a small vet office, a tiny grocery market, a little mechanic shop and lots of other small activities. There is even a water section and small “raincoats” are provided.  I must admit, if I were a few feet shorter and *cough* *cough* pounds lighter, I would have a blast in here! It is a dream playroom for young kiddos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above Photo via

 

 

Below: On the same floor as Itty Bitty Magic City is the Dinosaurs of Alabama Exhibit. This area displays actual dinosaur fossils discovered around the state of Alabama.  The kids were able to learn about the Appalachiosaurus, whose fossils were discovered in 2005.

 

 

Below: The Dino Race is one of the kids favorite activities. The sit in a stationary bicycle and try to outrun a digital dinosaur by cycling.

 

 

Below: The Dig Site is locate on this level. The kiddos can use a paint brush to pretend to be paleontologists and uncovered bones underneath the “sand” (I think it is actually rubber pellets).

 

Below: The Explore Museum Collections Center

 

 

 

 

LEVEL THREE

Level Three is known for its Art and Tech Gallery.  It features a huge piano, a face merger, and several other interactive exhibits.

This area holds the Traveling Exhibits. When we were there in the Summer, the exhibit was The Hall of Heroes. Then, in the early fall, there was a maze and Nano area. In November there is usually a Winter Wonderland and Traveling Trains Exhibit here on Level Three.

 

Below: Summer 2016 Featured Traveling Exhibit was The Hall of Heroes.

 

Below: Air Flow Maze

 

Below: Spinning colorful sand

 

 

Below: Experimenting with Light

 

Below: Nano Exhibit

 

Below: Catching digital butterflies

 

We always have a great time at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham, AL.

Have you guys been there yet?  What is your kiddos favorite exhibit?

 

McWane Science Center  //  200 19th Street N – Birmingham, AL 35203     205-714-8300

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