Our grandsons came to visit this weekend. We decided they were old enough at 2 and 4 to go for an "adventure" on Saturday. It was so cute on Friday night, the 4-year-old wanted to leave for the "adventure" instead of going to bed and the 2-year-old wanted to "sleep fast" so we could go "venture". We wouldn't tell them where we were going which made it more exciting for them. We also didn't tell our son where we were going because we knew he would tell the kids! He was told that he would just have to be surprised with the boys!
Our destination was The Magic House in St. Louis, MO. It is the St. Louis Children's Museum and we had never been there before, so we weren't sure what to expect. It is a beautifully restored (and expanded) 1901 Victorian Mansion that has been transformed into the perfect place to take kids of all ages. Every room has something hands-on and fun for all. Inside of The Magic House, is a child-sized house and community for the children to explore.
They can go to the grocery store and fill their shopping basket with everything from produce to yogurt. They can check out with a scanner, ring up the sale and even make change with the money in the register.
They can cook a meal in the kitchen of the
"home" or play the piano in the living room.
They can go to work making pizza in the Pizza Parlor and serve it to parents sitting and red checked tables in the "dining room" of the restaurant.
Do you love the stairs to the neighborhood library?
There are real books on the shelves, and comfy chairs if your child is ready for a break. Of course ours were moving at the speed of light and anxious to get to the next room!
We had to stop at the Electric Company for a photo. After all, that is where Grandpa works. Here they could plug things in, play with magnets and make light bulbs turn by spinning a crank. There is also a bank with an ATM, lock boxes, deposit slips and even the teenagers in the room were having fun there.
The Lewis and Clark Adventure area had everything from teepees to canoes. There was also a Discovery Trail, but children have to be 5 to go on that.
Want to be President for the day? The Star-Spangled Center houses the Oval Office, an actual courtroom and a Legislative Chamber. Kids could hold a press conference with working microphones and watch themselves on the flat screen television.
An outdoor area (with large fans which kept it tolerable) has everything you need to build a house. This area was really a hit with my little guys. Grandma ended up on a bench inside in the air-conditioning and left this one up to Grandpa and Daddy.
They could even go fishing...
...or play in the Bubble Room.
The current traveling exhibit is Alice's Wonderland. The kids loved climbing through the rabbit hole and meeting Alice and the Mad Hatter.
One of my favorites didn't impress the kids at all. They had a very small house that you could look through the windows and see the entire scene from the book, "Goodnight Moon"! I loved it as it was a favorite of my kids.
There is a restaurant, The Picnic Basket Cafe, onsite. There were several healthy choices and the food was very good and served in a Picnic Basket...cute! I highly recommend taking kids or grandkids here if you live close enough for a road trip. Ours loved it and so did we. If you go, make sure you google for discount coupons. We found that Drury Inns had a free child with paid adult coupon right now, so our kids got in free. The regular admission is $8.75 for anyone over the age of 1. It is well worth it. Every space is filled with things to spin, roll, climb or pretend.
I think this photo on the way home says it all!
I am joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and
Laura @ Decor to Adore for her new meme, Wayfaring Wednesdays.
Please visit our wonderful hostesses and say hello!
