My family received complimentary entry to the Museum of Science and Industry to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Fun at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

No trip of ours to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry! As a child, a visit to the museum was one of my favorite field trips, and now that I have my own children, it’s one of their favorites too! The Museum of Science and Industry is our favorite science museum, hands down! We always plan to arrive as soon as the museum opens because it’s so much to see and do, we easily spend the entire day there until they close. Each exhibit hall is immersive and hands on allowing children and adults alike to be involved in learning about science. 

With so much to see and do, we have to plan our time carefully to check out all of the exhibits in one day. Our first stop is always the Pioneer Zephyr. It’s one of America’s first diesel electric streamlined passenger trains. You can actually explore this blast from the past before you head inside of the main museum exhibits. Next we always visit the Farm Tech exhibit to learn more about how food makes it from the garden to our table, and then we head to The Idea Factory. The Idea Factory now offers timed tickets for play so it doesn’t get overcrowded. It’s best for kids ages 10 and under and offers a splashing and spinning while learning about scientific principles. 

On that same floor is the new temporary exhibit exploring the illustrations of “Where the Wild Things Are” by children’s author and artist Maurice Sendak. It’s really like stepping into the world of his books and paintings. This exhibit runs through February 20th, 2017. Also not to be missed on the same level is the U-505 Submarine and the Henry Crown Space Center. 

My children are huge LEGO enthusiasts, and LEGO building is serious business in our home. We were so excited about another of the museums temporary exhibits, Brick by Brick. Brick by Brick explores the power of play through engineering and creativity. In this special exhibit kids can engage in hands on building challenges, learn about architecture and engineering, and build and test their own LEGO structures. Brick by Brick runs through February 2017 and requires an additional timed entry ticket. 

On the Main Level, the Science Storms exhibit is one of our personal favorites. This permanent hall explores seven natural phenomena: lightening, fire, tornadoes, avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight and atoms in motion. Where else can you step inside a 40 foot tornado?! Only at the Museum of Science and Industry! 

Not to be missed this holiday season is Christmas Around the World, Holiday of Light. Open now through January 8th, visitors can check out the 45 foot tall grand tree decorated with more than 30,000 lights. On the main level more than 50 trees are displayed and decorated capturing holiday cultures and traditions from around the world. Throughout the holiday season you can also catch performances of native dances, singing, folklore and various holiday traditions from more than 50 cultural groups representing six of the world’s continents included with museum entry. 

With so many exhibits to see in one day, the museums website offers a great tool for planning your visit. For homeschooling families like mine, the visit can also be structured around certain subjects and lessons you’re working on like Life Sciences and Chemistry. A day spent at the Museum of Science and Industry is simply unforgettable.

For more on planning your visit to the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, visit their website at msichicago.org!  

Ashley