Looking for something to do with the kids on a rainy day? The Virginia Discovery Museum is the perfect adventure for kids and adults to learn and have fun all at once.
There are both permanent exhibits and new exhibits that are at the museum for a limited time. Two of the exhibits slated for 2010 are the “Lights, Lasers and Lenses” and the “Its Easy Being Green” exhibit. Lights, Lasers and Lenses show children various things that glow and light up. They can use laser beams that move through mazes and there are also experiments for the kids to try. Its Easy Being Green teaches kids about the health of the planet, composting, recycling and alternative energy.
The permanent exhibits are both educational and fun. Kids can play on the Busy Ball Wall, the Observation Beehive, and Barnyard Theater with Dress up, The Puppet Tree, Walk-in Kaleidoscope, and Art Studio. There are exhibits that include a Toddler Room Pirate Ship, Rainforest Hallway, the Showalter Cabin, Gear Wall and others.
There are also weekly programs for visitors to take advantage of. These include story time Tuesdays, magic school bus science club, poetry club, music and movement and toddler time.
If you give the Virginia Discovery Museum advance notice, you can have the opportunity to view two special collections that are part of the museum. The Passport to Nigeria has clothing, baskets, sculptures and musical instruments from this African region. The second special collection showcases the cultures and life of Pueblo Indians of the American southwest. There are pottery pieces, clothing and ceremonial objects from the Indians.
Admission to the Virginia Discovery Museum is $4 per person. Museum members are free. Becoming a member is easy and gives you free access for a year. As a member you also get a bimonthly calendar and birthday party privileges. There are discounts on classes and camps affiliated with the museum.
This Charlottesville museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and from 1 to 5 on Sundays. The Virginia Discovery Museum is always open with the exception of the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Years day and Easter.