If you can think of a happy adjective, you can use it to describe the Children’s Museum Denver Marsico Campus: It’s engaging, beautiful, whimsical, clever, delightful, yummy, charming, eye-candy, eye-popping, challenging, silly, lovely, splashy, splooshy, amazing, and accessible.
That might seem over the top. Nothing could possibly be that much fun, but somehow they did it. It’s almost as if the team of big kids at the museum asked actual kids what they like to do and waved a wand. They kept the familiar classic and beloved features and exhibits, of course. The exhibits they added not only enhance what is there but take the museum to a new level of awesome. It’s a truly top notch must-see destination for all ages to enjoy.
Eighteen exhibits are divided into four types of play. They are Explore, Imagine, Investigate, and Create. No matter what your kid—or you—are interesting in doing, there is a perfect place to settle in for playtime.
Have an artsy kid? The improved Art Studio is larger, craftier, and features a couple of life-sized paintable bison. Kids are encouraged to get messy and add their touches to the space. Feel like painting a window? Go for it!
Is your kid a climber? Strap on a helmet and turn her loose in the three-story enclosed Altitude climbing structure. From the outside, it looks like chicken wire and plywood tacked together by a four-year-old, but on the inside it’s a solid maze-like challenge that beckons kids to the top and give them a rush of accomplishment. Grown-ups can try their hand at it, too.
What if your kid is a budding space explorer? There’s a rocket for that in the Kinetics! exhibit. Little engineers can experiment with air pressure to launch paper cone rockets up to the stratosphere. Actually, it’s a peaked ceiling with dangling planet targets. My little boys adored the vacuum hoses, which makes me hopeful for the future.
Are you raising a future Julia Child? Make sure to stop by the Teaching Kitchen. Real chefs teach kids how to make delectable foods, try different flavors and textures, and learn to appreciate the art and science of cooking. It’s a beautiful, relaxing space, too. Why can’t my kitchen be that cool?
Maybe your kid never met a puddle or stream they didn’t like. The Water room has enough burbling, swirling, and splashy fun to enable your kid to nearly convince you they’ve had their bath for the day. Don’t worry, it’s not too sopping. Roll up those sleeves and watch as they learn about how water flows and floats. Marvel together at the giant clear tanks that mimic how the potty at home works. Pull the rope and watch the deluge. The nice thing about this toilet is that nobody can flush a small stuffed animal creating work for a plumber on a Sunday night.
A dozen other fun things to do are ready to roll on November 20, 2015 when it has its official Grand Reopening. It has become a destination landmark in Denver, the kind of place people vacationing from other states and countries must see with their kids when in town. It is that good.
Families can easily spend an entire day at the Children’s Museum Denver Marsico Campus. To plan your next visit, check out their website for pricing, hours, and amenities.
Make sure to check out the photo gallery to get a preview of the wonder in store.
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