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Young Guests
Children are natural scientists, curious about everything around them. By encouraging their interests and exposing them to new ideas, parents or caregivers can help them develop intellectually. Liberty Science Center offers many memorable experiences for children, found in every exhibition area. Have fun exploring together!
Science in our Lives
At Liberty Science Center, you'll discover that science exists everywhere, even in some surprising places! Animals and construction equipment (both favorites of youngsters) can be found in the exhibitions Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact, Eat and Be Eaten and Our Hudson Home.
Learn to Live "Glocally"
A central concept we emphasize is that in this interconnected world, our decisions can affect everyone else on the planet. We encourage you and your children to apply what you learn here to every facet of your life and in your community, becoming active participants working with us to improve our world.
I Explore: Just for Kids
Liberty Science Center is proud to present I Explore, a new exhibition just for children ages 2-5. This age-restricted area gives our youngest scientists a place to discover new things about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them. You'll find I Explore on the second floor, just off Governors Hall.
Other Exhibitions to Enjoy
There are lots of great activities for young children in the other exhibition areas as well. Your child can:
- Experience the excitement of a construction site with large machines and build-it-yourself opportunities in Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact.
- Visit huge tanks of fish and other creatures and make a river run along a new course in Our Hudson Home.
- Find out about germs and dodge a wet "sneeze" in Infection Connection.
- Try the fossil-studded Rock Climbing Wall and make giant soap bubbles in Wonder Why.
- Play with fans and cranks in Energy Quest.
- See brightly colored poison dart frogs and scores of other animals that use special tactics to hunt and avoid being hunted in Eat and Be Eaten.
- Play with a giant mechanical voice box to make amazing sounds and leave a glowing digital handprint at Communication.
Here are some tips for a memorable experience:
Pace Yourselves
Give your children the freedom to discover at their own pace. If they are entranced by an exhibition, don't insist that they move on to the next one right away. Be sure to mix active exploration with a seated 3D show, live presentations or a bite to eat in the Skylines Café. A short rest can re-energize the whole group!
Choose the Right Day
Those with small children can often visit during off-peak hours, and they may enjoy the visit more if fewer people are present. Be sure to make a reservation if you decide to come on a busy day.
Get the Most Out of Each Visit
Scientists ask questions before they seek answers. Encourage children to ask questions and feel free to ask your own, too! Take their lead and let them try to figure things out on their own. Self-directed learning gives children confidence to seek new challenges later in life.
After the Visit
Science is everywhere! Let your children learn more by helping them think of simple questions you can answer together. For example, what are the differences between cats and dogs? Where does rainwater go after it hits the ground? What happens if you mix two colors of paints? Help your child build an intellectual storehouse with at-home science activities. There are also lots of resources on the web!
Return Often
Liberty Science Center offers hundreds of exhibits in eight major exhibition areas, and that's a lot! Don't try to see everything in one day. Your children will enjoy themselves and get more out of each visit if you don't take in too much at a time. Become a member and receive free admission throughout the year at more 240 other science centers worldwide! | Join Now