{"id":33851,"date":"2023-09-25T19:53:40","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T19:53:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=33851"},"modified":"2023-09-25T19:53:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T19:53:41","slug":"what-to-do-at-thinkery-austins-steam-childrens-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/what-to-do-at-thinkery-austins-steam-childrens-museum\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do at Thinkery: Austin’s STEAM Children\u2019s Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Thinkery museum in Austin offers kids from infants to preteens the opportunity to learn more about STEAM topics through hands-on exploration that\u2019s both fun and educational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinkery is a kids\u2019 museum in Austin\u2019s Mueller District. This two-story museum focuses on bringing STEAM concepts to kids through a variety of exhibits, activities, and hands-on exploration stations. The museum can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple of hours to fully explore depending on your kids\u2019 interests and the amount of time you can spend there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Thinkery museum got started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thinkery began its days as the Austin Children\u2019s Museum, founded by a group of parents and educators in 1983. It was originally a \u201cmuseum without walls\u201d as museum creators traveled around Austin with educational exhibits to showcase at schools, parks, libraries, and malls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum eventually called two downtown Austin locations home before moving to its current location in Mueller in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kids can do at Thinkery, Austin’s creative children’s museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Austin
Credit: Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thinkery offers a wide range of STEAM activities that appeal to a lot of interests. In one room you can go from learning about building mechanics to examining bugs under a projected microscope to painting on a plastic wall. There are a variety of rooms to check out, each offering a different opportunity for learning and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur Backyard\u201d is Thinkery\u2019s outdoor playscape. It skips the classic metallic surfaces in favor of unique structures featuring braided ropes and other organic textures. There are a few benches and shady spots for parents, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside, most of the labs and rooms are fairly low-key. However, the second floor can get a bit raucous at times. The Currents room includes water features that teach kids all sorts of fun sciencey stuff \u2014 and they definitely get a bit wet, in spite of the smocks that they put on when they enter. Luckily, there are a few hand dryers that the kids can use for minor splashes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Light Lab was definitely our favorite place to spend time \u2014 how can you go wrong with a giant Lite-Brite, playing with shadows, and learning about electricity? The dark space also offers a nice reprieve from the bright sun during the summer, giving everyone a chance to wind down a bit and experiment with lights, colors, and patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other exhibits you shouldn\u2019t miss include Spark Shop, Train Town, Innovators\u2019 Workshop, and Notion of Motion. It\u2019s worth nothing that some exhibits may be closed during your visit for various reasons, but there\u2019s always plenty to do here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for visiting Austin\u2019s Thinkery as a family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t put your kids in their Sunday best for this excursion. Between getting sweaty on the playground, getting messy on the art wall, and getting soaked in the Currents water playroom, your kids will likely need a good hosing down when they\u2019re done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though kids may be tempted to play at the lovely Mueller Lake Park playground across the street, the one inside of the museum is a much better bet on a hot day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may not expect it, but things can get a little wild in the play kitchen. It\u2019s a great place for kids to learn about sorting, measuring, cooking, and growing, but it can also get somewhat chaotic. The trip up the stairs (or ride up the elevator) is a good time to remind your kids about sharing \u2014 and how to react to other kids who may not be good at sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admission to Thinkery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Austin
Credit: Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thinkery opens its doors seven days a week. Hours vary based on the day, but they\u2019re typically open mid-morning to afternoon, with hours extending until 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights. General admission is $18 for everyone 24 months and over and free for children under 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum hosts community hours every Tuesday 3-7 p.m. and Sunday 3-5 p.m. A part of their Open Door Initiative, these fee-free hours open up opportunities to explore STEAM concepts to all kids, regardless of their means. Admission is also free for those receiving public benefits under the Museums for All program<\/a>. If you receive Medicaid, SNAP, or other assistance, bring your card with you to qualify for free admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in Austin or you visit frequently, consider getting a family membership (for families of up to 8) for perks like free admission, discounts on special events, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the museum accessible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thinkery comes in at a whopping 40,000 square feet spread across two floors, and the entire museum is accessible. There are elevators, accessible parking nearby, and a limited supply of wheelchairs and earmuffs that guests can check out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more questions about accessibility and more information to help pre-plan your trip, visit Thinkery\u2019s accessibility page<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For moms:<\/strong> There is also a nursing room available on the lower level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What ages do best at Thinkery?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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