articles

Come and Play! New Adventures Await at ExpERIEnce Children's Museum

The second phase of renovations is COMPLETE! Grand opening is Friday, July 12

By Kara Murphy | Macaroni KID Erie July 10, 2024

Have you heard the exciting news? The expERIEnce Children's Museum is opening Phase II of its expansion this weekend, and you don't want to miss it! We had a chance for a tour earlier this week and can tell you that the exhibits they've added are super cool, and perfect for a fun day out with the kids. We love that there are exhibits for younger and older kids (tween-friendly!). The designers have also taken accessibility into account at every step, from exhibits to restrooms. And if you're nursing? There's special space for you too!❤️

See inside:






View this post on Instagram











A post shared by Macaroni KID Kara | #EriePA (@macaronikiderie)

Highlights:

The Tinkering Tank 

This is is where your little inventors can explore invention cabinets, create unique gadgets with recycled materials, and even showcase their inventions at the Invent-It booth. It's all about hands-on learning and sparking creativity!

Erie Recycles

Kids can get hands-on with plastic recycling. They'll love playing with a kid-sized garbage truck, sorting plastics, and learning how recycling works through interactive games.

Testing Station

Launch foam rockets, experiment with paper airplanes, and learn about flight principles through exciting activities like parachute drops. It's a blast for both kids and adults, as I found out!

The smART Studio

If your kid is into art, the smART Studio is a must-visit. From creating spin art with a very cool bike to designing virtual cityscapes, there's something for every budding artist to explore their creativity.

Construction Zone

Have a future engineer on your hands? They'll love the Construction Zone! They can build structures, try out real tools, explore power generation, and even test their creations against simulated earthquakes. It's all about hands-on fun and learning about how things work.

Excited yet? So are we! We can't wait to see this space full of kids playing, learning and making memories. Get there this weekend for the grand opening celebrations — they're happening all weekend long! 


What's happening this weekend: 






View this post on Instagram











A post shared by expERIEnce Children's Museum (@eriekidsmuseum)


This is the second phase, and brings to an end the five year, $18.7 million renovation project. In all,the museum boasts nearly 40,000 square feet of world-class exhibits, the museum showcases the rich history and vibrant community of Erie. Take a look back at the opening of Phase I in 2023!