Who loves playing and learning new things at the same time? We certainly do!
Thinkery is the evolution of the Austin Children’s Museum. It’s a different name, but certainly just as fun!
Kids – here to get to spend the day doing, making, experiencing, experimenting, playing and creating. How does that sound!?
The whole family can enjoy this center, and it’s a place for innovators and creative problem solvers. Did we mention it’s a whole ton of fun!?
All of the exhibits at Thinkery play a vital role in developing creative problem solving in kids, through hands-on and very interactive play based on science, technology, engineering, art and math.
The exhibit galleries do revolve frequently, based around certain educational experiences curated by the staff, so you will be sure that each visit to Thinkery will bring you something new!
The exhibits really are for all ages too. The Let’s Grow has a garden-themed space for infants and toddlers, where they can explore healthy living and food courses. There is also a fun story nook corner!
Spark Shop is perfect for those older kids and parents wanting to experiment (but not wanting to get that nice family garage dirty!) Families can use tools and materials provided to take on challenges, such as designing objects so they fly!
Thinkery also host a ton of summer camps, sleepovers, Early Learner events, workshops and of course, birthday parties! So check out all they have to offer if you just can’t get enough of science!
Seriously, Austinites have no idea what a children’s museum or a science and technology museum should be like. This one is both poorly designed and poorly run. It’s very pretty and the “toys” look very cool, but museums are supposed to have order to them. A great science museum, even one for children, manages crowds. It directs people through the museum so that large numbers of people can see and interact with different exhibits without individual exhibits being overrun. I grew up with an Awesome children’s museum in Atlanta. It was nothing like this one. There were activities for adults and children to do together, a design that made sense, and encouraged visitors to move around. There is no point in even charging adults admission to this place. You are paying for the privilege of keeping an eye on your own child in a massively overrun playground. Ever been to that really cool playground that has so many kids at it, that no one can really do anything, and your kid wants to leave after 30 minutes. That’s The Thinkery. I thought I would be showing my kid giant bubbles, and magnetic dust. Instead, he waited and waited and waited to get to play the water organ, only to have the bigger kids push in front of him. He waited his turn for the light bright and had bigger unsupervised kids yelling in his face, and taking the pegs from him. He was dying to play with the RC cars but it turns out 5 is “underage” and the line was too long anyway (at least there was a real line – the only one I saw during the trip). Who ever heard of 5 being too young for an RC car? This place was a nightmare and a waste of money. Can we please have a real science and technology museum for kids in Austin? Maybe someone who has designed a real museum can build one.
This place is pretty amazing for little kids and adults who like to act like little kids. Something for everyone for sure. They are located in a great area also in the Mueller District. We will definitely be taking our family back there again!
What I’d give to have this when I was young…It’s a magical experience. I’ve been here a few time with my younger brother. And let me tell you, I can never resist from joining in on the fun. All of the children are lighting up around every corner. I highly recommend to any parent.
Fantastic interactive exhibits for young and young at heart. Particularly fun with a cocktail in hand so look for their various adult evenings to enjoy the fun. Liked- watching people get splashed at the water room, Really liked- watching tipsy people getting stuck on the rope climb on the outside playscape.
The new Thinkery is amazing and one of the coolest places in Austin to take your kids. We go frequently with our two kiddos (2.5 & 5.5 yrs old), who both love it. They love the train table, water feature, climbing structure and projectile exhibit. It is a GREAT way to beat the heat in Austin and one of the best times to go is the late afternoon when the crowds are lighter.The Thinkery also has a ton of great programs for kids. Our 2.5 year old goes every week to Baby Bloomers. Our 5.5 year old went on a school field trip, and the whole class had an amazing time.The staff at the Thinkery is friendly and knowledgeable – they really care about making your experience at the big red box, a special one. I highly recommend taking a trip over to the Thinkery – your kids will love it.