With Omnifest starting up on April 3rd, it is a good time to talk about the many ways to enjoy the Science Museum. For ease of parking and downtown maneuvering, be sure to check a Saint Paul event calendar www.saintpaulconcierge.info when planning your visit. The Science Museum has their own convenient parking, but they are adjacent to Excel Center and Rivercentre, so it is worth checking. They are closed Mondays, but sometimes make exceptions for holidays and school break times. One of the quietest times to visit is later on Fridays; there is a student discount Fridays after five as well. Did you know the Science Museum also has an amazing Low-Income discount? Check the website for the required ID options; nice to know there are still options for getting the kiddies there, even with a limited budget. They have an onsite cafeteria-style restaurant and a coffee and snack kiosk for eating options. The gift shops are awesome – remember to stop back yourself for fun, unusual gift options when you need them.

PRESCHOOL PLAYDATES

Visit with preschool-age kids between 10 a.m. - noon on Tuesdays, and take part in a special promotion that will keep little hands busy and little minds buzzing! Purchase a regular price adult ticket and receive a free child admission (ages 5 and under). Note that Minnesota Children’s Museum members receive free Science Museum admission during Playdates.

During Playdates, you’ll receive:

Museum admission, packed with hands-on fun.

Make & Take creations: Your child will use their imagination to engineer a project we have developed especially for them!

Special theater programs and demonstrations designed just for preschoolers.

Parent guide to preschool activities and accommodations throughout the museum, including an introduction to the Collectors’ Corner trading post.

If you'd like to attend an Omnitheater film, you can add one for a small fee.

OMNIFEST APRIL 3- MAY 4

Get a front-row seat to experience larger-than-life adventures—from the immense glaciers in the Arctic to the breathtaking summit of Mount Everest and the spectacular views of the Nile, known as the “Mount Everest of Rivers.” With a diverse film line-up that will appeal to all ages and interests, Omnifest 2017 is an ideal destination this spring. Movie offerings - A Beautiful Planet, Everest, Mystery of the Nile, To the Arctic, Search for the Great Sharks. Check the daily schedule at https://www.smm.org/omnifest

EXHIBITS

Sportsology is a brand new addition to the exhibit galleries, every field, court, track, and gym becomes a science lab! By studying the body in motion, you’ll gain a better understanding of exactly what it takes to make that basket, swing that racket, or score that goal. There is a motion lab where the kids can throw a football, do a cartwheel, kick a goal, and then playback the video to analyze movements and compare them to professional athletes. Race to Run puts you up against a T.Rex, professional athletes, or MN Twins’ mascot TC Bear. Practice high jumps and measure them against other visitors and some of the most famous players in the world. So even if the kids have been there a bunch, there is always new fun to be had.

Mythic Creatures, organized by the American Museum of Natural History, closes on April 16, so hurry if that is something of interest to your kiddos. Explore the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythological creatures from mermaids to dragons and griffins to unicorns. Models, fossils, modern cultural objects, and interactive technology, help tell the stories behind the alluring mythic creatures that continue to fascinate.

Be sure to check the website for other special events. www.smm.org

Science for All Ages