Today we'll be talking about the most stripe-y building in all of Lane County, and perhaps in all of the world: Our very own Science Factory. Have you visited the Science Factory? It is one of my family's favorite Lane County spots. Here's what you need to know: The Science Factory is a children's museum where kids can explore scientific concepts in a welcoming, hands on environment. They have a traveling exhibit that changes a few times a year, as well as some things that are permanent fixtures. There's also an exploration dome (aka planetarium). It's located in Alton Baker Park, just south of Autzen Stadium. (Their parking lot is used for football games, so they're closed on game days.) Okay, now that introductions are out of the way, I'm going to give you my take home message right now, at the very beginning of this post, because I want you to keep it in mind while you read. Ready? Here it is: Buy your family a membership to the Science Factory. Better yet, ask a grandparent to gift it to you for a birthday or holiday or whatever. You'll be glad you did. Okay, while you think on that, let's check out some visitor tips: Visiting the Science Factory:
Other sweet Science Factory happenings:
The Essentials Parking: A nice big free lot. Cost: Ages 3-61 - $4 for either museum admission or an Exploration Dome show, $7 for both Food: Nope Bathrooms: Yep Resting/nursing spots: there are several benches scattered throughout the museum Time frame: half an hour to all afternoon! At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, I really do recommend getting a membership. In addition to all the great stuff I already mentioned, here's the added bonus: Through the ASTC Travel Passport Program your Science Factory membership currently gets you in FOR FREE to the following:
We have taken advantage of the free admission to these places more times than I can count. It's so amazing to be able to visit for free - it totally takes the pressure off. If someone gets cranky or tired or you forgot to pack snacks or the diaper leaks, it doesn't matter - just go home and come back another day. So much nicer than gritting your teeth and growling under your breath about how you paid $84 to get in so everyone BETTER smile and enjoy themselves or else. Also these are free but I've never visited them so I can't vouch for their coolness. Maybe someone else can?
![]() And you guys!! Guess what!? Carolyn and Emily from the Science Factory so very generously gave us a few admission passes to the Science Factory to give away to a few of you lucky ducks! You know it's going to rain for the entire month of March. Think of how happy you will be if you have one of these passes in your pocket. Free, outside of the house entertainment?! Go enter, quickly!! Happy Adventuring! To enter, tell us what YOU like about the Science Factory. If you've never been, mention something that Megan told us about that you're looking forward to checking out. We will draw winners on Thursday night at 10pm! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Megan Defferding is the mom to two super fun boys who love to find great stuff to do all around Lane County! Check out her blog series, Happy Adventuring, weekly on GoMomGo.
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Hi friends! I'm super excited to share a fun museum today for a few reasons: 1. our family really enjoys it. 2. I totally think it's a hidden Eugene gem. 3. it's rarely ever crowded, which is so very nice with littles. Maybe you've already been there? It's the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on the University of Oregon campus. If you've never visited, or if it's been a long time, here are some reasons that I think you should check it out soon. The MNCH is a nice smallish size, which makes it feel very do-able. There are plenty of hands-on things for littles to manipulate, as well as lots of interesting reading material for grownups. With exhibits on topics like archeology, ecology, and paleontology, there is something interesting for everyone to check out. High powered microscopes, stuffed animals (the kind that used to be alive, not the kind you can snuggle), high interest artifacts, and the world's oldest shoes (true story!) are all part of the fun. Littles can put on lab coats to collect rocks and dig for fossils, and there are backpacks at the front counter that you can check out for free. They have some fun extension activities in them, although my 3.5 year old was mostly interested in wearing the vest and carting around the puppet. Even though we've visited the MNCH four times in the past six months, my kiddo was very happy to spend a solid hour exploring the exhibits. I can hear you thinking, "who wants to drag their littles down to fight the campus traffic for an hour long activity?" I know. Not me. So here's how we like to extend our visit and make the trek down to campus (sort of a lot of work) more worth the while: we pack a picnic lunch and spend the morning wandering around the UO. There is so much excitement to be found: plenty of green spaces to run, lots of people for people watching, steps and ledges to climb and balance on, and there's always some construction if your kiddos are into that (and whose aren't, really?) The museum plus a meal plus a ton of wandering could make for a very long nap - wahoo! Or at least some happy and cultured kiddos. :) One special highlight for preschoolers is the MNCH's 'Little Wonders' program. It's on the second Friday of each month at 10:30, and it costs $5 per family (2 kids) or free for Science Factory members. Each month is a different theme, such as butterflies, volcanoes, or teeth. They read a story (caution: it's usually pretty wordy, but they project the pictures up on a wall), then do some really fun and very age appropriate crafts. It's a very well organized event, and I've never seen more than a dozen kids there. We love it! The Essentials: Parking: The MNCH has it's own little lot on 15th Ave, which is free. However, you have to go into the museum, get a pass, and go back out to put it on your dash, which is sort of a pain when you're corralling littles. Food: no food to buy, and they don't let you eat inside anyway. Resting/nursing spots: lots of benches throughout the building Cost: general admission $5, kids 3-18 $3, kids 2 and under are free ***There are tons of opportunities to visit the MNCH for free: *The first Friday of every month is free *Every weekend with a home Duck football game is free *Science Factory members get in free anytime Time Frame: 60 minutes, 90 if you have littles who are old enough to read There is a gift shop, but I don't really know what's in it since I avoid it like the plague - no need to ruin a perfectly lovely museum trip with my toddler breaking some expensive artifact replica. I DO know that they don't sell food. :) With all of the material gathered in this little museum, this is an educational yet fun outing, even if you (like me) don't know anything about the giant sabertooth salmon (it's for reals!) Grab some friends and go! Happy Adventuring! Just The Facts:
Museum or Natural and Cultural History 1680 E. 15th Ave. Eugene, 97403 (541) 346-3024 Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 FREE admission to the public on the first Friday of the month Seniors (62+): $3 Youth (3-18): $3 Families (2 adults and up to 4 youth): $10 Children (2 and under): FREE Museum Store only: FREE MNCH Members, UO Students, Faculty, and Staff, and ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) Members: FREE (with ID). |
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