OMSI Hands-on Activities for Young Ones

Science Playground is OMSI's exhibit hall for kids 6 and younger and their families. Located on the second floor, Science Playground is a colorful and vibrant place for kids to play, explore and engage in science. This place is perfect for young explorers and offers hours of fun for your young ones.

Water Area
Our water area welcomes explorers of all ages to pour, drip, splash, fill, spill, and experiment in five hands-on water tanks. Bring a change of clothes just in case though, they do provide waterproof smocks for children and adult-sized aprons, but splashing happens.

Sand
At Sandland you'll find the full array of buckets, shovels, and other sand toys, plus special activity panels and machines to explore the physics of sand. Remember to remove shoes before jumping in or you're going to have one nice mess on your hands!

Books and Early Literacy
This is a lovely space dedicated to creating a cozy setting for storytime and a quiet space for anyone needing a little down time. Share books, play with puppets, and explore materials designed to foster early literacy.

Nature Play
You can discover nature from an animal's point of view in the Animal Secrets exhibit area. Parents and kids alike  can crawl through the roots of a giant tree, venture into a cave, explore a hollow log, and investigate naturalists' tools in this fun-filled exhibit. Animal Secrets features bilingual (English and Spanish) text panels.

Infant Area
Science Playground's carpeted infant area has plenty of activities to encourage little ones to use their developing motor skills. It also also includes beautiful fish tank. Please be aware this area is only for visitors ages 0-24 months, and their parents.

Other Awesome Features
Science Playground's double doors create a contained area for young visitors, while low walls, strategically designed exhibits, and windows looking from the Discovery Lab into the exhibit area allow for an unencumbered view of the entire space. Two family bathrooms and one ADA restroom, as well as a private nursing area, add to a parents' comfort and convenience.