My family was provided with free admission to The Franklin Institute as part of an event we attended. I was not required to write about it, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Life has been pretty busy around here the past few months. I’ve been working more, my husband has taken on a new business and Jack is back in school, we are all adjusting to our new schedules and routines. Most days we tend to find ourselves rushing through routines and squeezing in family time when we can. We really haven’t had a leisurely day just the three of us in a while.
Last weekend when I was invited to the Mom Mixer at The Franklin Institute, I knew I wanted the boys to come with me since The Franklin Institute is a place that we have been planning to take Jackson to for a while. Growing up, John and I both visited The Franklin Institute and have great memories of exploring the heart exhibit and checking out the planetarium and IMax theater. Sharing my favorite childhood experience with Jackson, is one of my favorite parts of being a parent and I love anytime I have the opportunity to do that.
After we left the Mom Mixer, John picked up a map and set about making a plan to explore all the pre-k friendly areas of the museum, which actually wasn’t very hard because every exhibit has hands on experiences and is geared to all ages. I saw kids much older than Jackson enjoying the same exhibits he was, the exhibits are designed so that no matter your age you are learning and exploring.
5 Exhibits for Preschoolers at The Franklin Institute
The Heart
For me the Heart exhibit at The Franklin Institute brings back a flood of childhood memories. I remember exploring the Heart as a kid and the exhibit remains the same fun and much-anticipated place that it was when I was a kid. The Heart exhibit was definitely a place to find little ones who loved exploring the larger than life heart that you can climb through. They also enjoyed traveling through arteries and learning how the heart pumps blood through the body.
The Brain
Kids explore the connections of pathways in the brain
The Brain is one of the newest exhibits at The Franklin Institute. Like the Heart the Brain is an interactive exhibit that takes you right inside the Brain to see how things work. Kids can climb through a two-story network of connected platforms that represent how connections are made and information travels in the brain. This attraction is perfect for kids of all ages.
Changing Earth
In the Changing Earth kids can learn about storms, weather patterns, earth quakes and volcanos. Children can climb through magma, simulate an earth quake and give their own weather forecast. Little ones will especially love the chance to climb through the magma, and it’s almost a guarantee that you and your kids will leave saying “magma” in a Dr. Evil voice.
The Train Factory
A real steam engine locomotive is located on the first level of The Franklin Institute and has been there since 1923. Visitors can walk through the cab of the train and experience the sights and sounds of being in a steam engine locomotive. This is a must do for kids who like trains. Kids can also learn how train engines work and will have a chance to build their own train.
The Franklin Air Show
Climb aboard a Wright Model B Flyer and see what it’s like to pilot a plane. The kids we were with that day were quick to race up the stairs to have a chance to sit in the front of the plane. Kids can also put on foam plane wings and try to navigate their own plane. They can use pulleys to fly a kite and make paper airplanes and test how well they can fly.
The Franklin Institute is really a full day experience and this is only a small portion of what the museum has to offer. In addition to the permanent exhibits the museum also has a rotation of special exhibits. There are also additional special events like the 21 and over, Science after Hours and Sensory Friendly Sundays for children with special needs.
Later this month The Franklin Institute will be opening a new exhibit, Sports Zone. The 3,600 square foot space that used to be home to the very popular Sports Challenge exhibit has been completely redone into Sports Zone, which will be opening Saturday October 24th.
General admission is $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children. Additional costs apply to special exhibits and special events.
I’m not sure we’ve done the brain? But Zoe LOVES the heart!! She never wants to leave it when we visit 🙂 Although my kids love all their exhibits and were blown away by the Planetarium show too.
We love the Planetarium it’s on our list to do during our next visit.
We haven’t done the pathways to the brain! Looks so fun.
It was so cool, and really neat to look at.
I love that kids of any age can find something to enjoy and explore at Franklin Institute. We just recently attended their LEGO exhibit and it was a hit. Can’t wait to go back and check out some of their other exhibits with the kids. Thanks for putting together this list!
I wish we had more time to see the Lego exhibit. My son loved the Lego Vatican.
This looks like such a fun day out for kids! I haven’t been to the Franklin Institute in years but definitely need to plan a trip soon!
So much has changed but so much has also stayed the same and that’s one of the things I love about it.
Did you know that the Magic of Pixar exhibit will be there after the new year. It is currently in Boston and looks awesome!
I heard about it but I didn’t realize it was coming to The Franklin, I had my fingers crossed that it would end up nearby. I definitely want to see it.