destination chicago :: the museum of science and industry

It’s no secret that I love Chicago. A big city with great food, amazing museums and zoos, plenty of shopping. It’s a perfect destination for families with more than enough to see and do to keep you busy for as long as you stay. On our last trip, we decided to check out the Museum of Science and Industry.

With kids ranging in age from 3-10, a typical museum experience just doesn’t work for us. Looking at exhibits, reading information and moving along slowly and quietly just isn’t our speed. But the Museum of Science and Industry is not that kind of museum. It is a huge museum with so many amazing hands-on exhibits that entertain all of my kids! We spent most of the day there and wished we had gotten there earlier since we would have liked to spend even more time at some of the exhibits. I could go on and on about this museum, but I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. The Museum of Science and Industry has definitely made its way to our list of places we can’t wait to go back to!
Genetics and The Baby Chick Hatchery.  Here we sat in front of the incubator long enough to watch a chick hatch out of its egg. It started with a tiny hole and worked and worked until it was out.  We were mesmerized as was everyone else.  Cheering on the little chick, it felt like a true miracle watching it emerge.  We also got to participate in a hands-on genetics demonstration where my older children got to see their own DNA in a test tube.  Super cool!
Science Storms.  Here we got to create a tsunami in the tsunami wave tank, experience and indoor lightning storm and step inside a tornado!  With the frequent audience-participation demonstrations, it’s easy to be a part of the action.  All three of our kids loved being a part of the tornado.
The Idea Factory.  This is the perfect place for younger children.  Designed for kids ages 10 and under, there is an area for crawlers and a larger area with space to experiment with construction, pulleys and other simple machines, and water and air pressure.  My kids could have spent hours in this exhibit alone.
There is just so much to see and do at MSI.  Each of my kids have a different favorite part of the museum–from making tops at the Toy Maker 3000, checking out super cool tractors and farm equipment at Farm Tech, and powering lights by pedaling bikes at Future Energy Chicago.  Check out even more exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry and tell me what you and your kids would love most.