It’s not rocket science, but with a little preparation and a few proactive strategies, you’ll be sure to make your visit to the Connecticut Science Center a success. There’s a lot to see and do here, so while you could wing it, you’re more apt to enjoy the time with your kiddos if you have somewhat of a game plan.
Planning Your Visit
The number one piece of advice I have for anyone wanting a family trip to the Connecticut Science Center is to plan your visit. No one likes those surprises that always tend to come up with a day trip, so with a little planning, you can have a smooth experience. While there is never really a bad time to visit, I have a little insight of times the Science Center tends to be busier. My best recommendation, plan your visit to the Science Center on a sunny Wednesday or Thursday if you are looking to avoid crowds. This way you’ll feel like you can go at your own pace, and you won’t feel rushed to take turns or wait for others to move on before you even get a turn.
Download the App
Once you’ve decided you’re heading to the Science Center, download the Science Center’s Official App (available for both Android and Apple), if you haven’t already. This will arm you with everything you could possibly need right at your fingertips, whether you’re at home or already on Level 4. Features include interactive tours, visitor information, the latest news, and a map. You can also learn about exhibits and events.
Buy Tickets Before You Go
From the app or the Science Center’s website, buy your tickets before you even head out the door. Simply choose the date and time of your upcoming visit and select any add-on activities, like the Butterfly Encounter, that you’d like to purchase. Purchasing tickets online ahead of time GUARANTEES admission for the day and time you choose to visit.
When buying your tickets, any date showing a SOLD OUT message means that the Science Center has reached its building capacity and additional tickets are not available. Yes, this can happen, but better to know while you’re online and not in line at the ticket counter, right? Be flexible and choose a different day. Your tickets will be sent to your email as a .pdf attachment and can be scanned on your phone at entry. Buying your tickets online ahead of time, also makes checking in that much easier. Just think, there is so much to explore and your family is going to want to get to the exhibits as quickly as possible. If you did all the work while you were home to plan your day, and purchase the tickets, then that means less time at the ticketing counter and more time exploring the exhibits.
Parking
The garage is super convenient because it’s literally directly below the Connecticut Science Center. Park your car and take the elevator directly to the Lobby Level. There’s an hourly fee to park in the garage ($3 for the first hour and $2 for every hour thereafter).
Have a Game Plan
Whether you have little ones or teens, it’s kind of impossible to explore more than 165 hands-on exhibits. There’s just tons of stuff to build, design, touch, learn, race, and much more. And rotating traveling exhibits means there’s always something NEW to discover. Best bet — don’t try to do it all! Look at all the different exhibits and figure out which ones you want to visit before you arrive. Hint: Here’s an example of why it makes sense to purchase a Membership as opposed to General Admission. Then, you don’t have to worry about feeling like you must fit it all into one day.
Top 7 for Under 7
If you have children under seven years old, look at these interactive exhibits and activities that are best suited for them:
Kid Space — Lobby Level
Butterfly Encounter, Level 4 (separate ticket required)
Interactive Video Floor, Level 4: Sight & Sound
LEGO Imagination Station, Level 5: Invention Dimension
Lunar Landar, Level 5: Exploring Space
Critter Corner, Level 5
Rooftop Garden
Storytime (Note: Program is offered on weekends and some holidays. Check at Ticketing upon arrival for details.)
Tip: Included in the Science Center App is a tour that outlines all of these stops, their locations in the Science Center and brief descriptions of each.
Pack a Change of Clothes
Come prepared. While KidSpace is great for kids under the age of seven because everything is hands-on, but I will tell you one thing, pack a change of clothes. They’re going to get wet while playing with toys and LEGO® blocks in the whooshing, swirling, and cascading water.
KidSpace is conveniently located on the Lobby Level right near restrooms, food, and the elevator to the parking garage. So, think…Do you want to be changing clothes soon after you’ve arrived, before you break for lunch, or when you’re ready to call it a day and head home?
Take a Food Break
Keep everyone fueled and avoid meltdowns by packing snacks or stopping for food at Subway or FroyoWorld, both located on-site. There are also vending machines conveniently located in public areas and assorted snacks available at the Gift Shop. While open food and drink is not allowed inside the galleries, be sure to take a break and sit down at tables located on the Lobby Level for a mid-adventure snack.
Get the Kids Involved!
A visit to the Science Center is a fun day for everyone. So start building the excitement before you go by prepping your kids as to what they’ll see and do. In fact, let them peruse the different exhibits online or on the app. They’ll probably be shocked that you’re encouraging, and not monitoring, screen time. Ask your teen to research and plan part of the day. By the time you go, everyone will have a feel for what the day at the Science Center will look like.
Don’t Rush!
Here’s an asterisk to Tip 5: Have a Game Plan — *Toss the Game Plan. If your kids want to play at KidSpace for two hours, let them. Don’t rush them along. While you probably want to feel like you got your money’s worth, just be happy that your kids are having fun. Remember that you can always come back. And, if you buy a Membership, you can come back again and again.
Jennifer Carmichael is a Contributing Writer at the Connecticut Science Center with a degree in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island. She’s written on lifestyle topics for magazines and newspapers throughout the state. A mom of two teenagers, she can’t promise that parenting is a breeze, but she can offer easy tips, tricks, and advice on all things about the Science Center.
