Oh where to begin? Last weekend we headed down to Monterey, CA for our annual visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This time, however, we didn't start at the aquarium, but instead decided to check out the Monterey County Youth Museum (aka MY Museum). Here are some of the highlights:
Dressing room and stage:
The stage comes complete with a backstage dressing room with lights, dress up clothes and huge mirrors. What a great place for kids to express themselves and let their imagination run wild! We saw a few kids dress up like dinosaurs and lions while Max took the superhero route and dressed up as Batman.
Mini Golf Course:
This little course was absolutely adorable. The characters reminded me of Peter Rabbit. They even had a life size golf cart to sit in. Having never gone golfing before Max was a bit puzzled as to the rules, but enjoyed dropping his ball in the hole nonetheless.
Garden, Vineyard, Fruit Stand:
The garden area was broken up into three little sections. One where kids could "plant and pick" their own fruit and vegetables, another where they could put balls on a sort of assembly line machine and watch them as they moved up the conveyor belt and another where they could "sell" their produce. Our favorite was the part where the balls gathered above the tractor and you pulled a lever to release them - it was exciting for even the adults.
Giant Bubble:
This is an obligatory children's museum activity right? Either way it never gets old.
Toddler Zone:
This area is soft and squishy, perfect for younger children. It's also off to the side from the rest of the museum so that you don't have to worry about older kids running through and knocking over your little one.
Tree House:
Separating the front half of the museum from the back is this tree house. Kids can climb up and down on the ladder, slide down the slide, crawl into the little cubby hole underneath or explore the house itself. The space is large enough for an adult to fit in, but just small enough to be "child size."
Ambulance, Fire Truck and Medic Station:
Kids can drive an ambulance or a fire truck and play a life size game of Operation in this medic zone! The most popular part of this attraction seemed to be that the ambulance had a phone in it. Max loved calling for help as we "sped" through the city.
Art Zone:
I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of this area! It's a large, open space filled with buckets of materials. When we entered we were told we could use any of the materials and make absolutely anything we wanted, but that parent supervision was required as they had hot glue guns in there. Most children's museums that I've been to have a small "open" art area and then a designated craft. I liked their approach of a completely "open" art area, especially with so much material available!
2 comments
It was a pretty awesome time. Even fun for us adults.
That looks so cool!
The photo where Joe is standing by the tractor, the backdrop is the same as one used in a Korean-owned froyo place across from my office and I have yet to understand why they are using it. Interesting to see it used appropriately. :)
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