(Kid)Spark Your Imagination

I had some grand plans for my year of maternity leave.  The boys and I would roam about town dressed up in playclothes made out of a pair of old drapes, soaking up the culture that the city has to offer.  We would see plays!  We would go to art galleries!  And the Zoo!  And Ontario Place!  I'd bring my acoustic guitar and we'd make up teaching songs on a hilltop!!  And we would do it all on our own - an intrepid threesome.

We did end up doing some of these things, but we only started doing them recently, and never by ourselves.  Frankly, on the days when my elder wasn't in preschool, I counted it a very grand thing if we made it out of the house before 4pm.

So it is while I eat my large helping of crow (with a little humble pie on the side) that I admit that it was just this past week that we made it to the Ontario Science Centre.  I don't know if it is my utter lack of knowledge when it comes to science, or my memory of school field trips, but I always thought that the Science Centre was geared towards older children.  In actual fact, they have a very nice setup for the young'uns cleverly named, KidSpark.

We went on a weekday and arrived right when they opened at 10am.  The admission was a whopping $18.00, on top of $8.00 for parking, but kids three and under are free so we lucked out there.  AND there was Starbucks coffee available at the Main Entrance.  Somebody was using their scientifically-inclined brain for good, it seems.

I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the space.  It's separated into two large sections.  Both have enclosed toddler/baby play areas, kid-friendly washrooms and nursing stations.  We checked out the space to the left first.  I would say it's probably better for slightly older children, but the boys had great fun in the waterplay area, and they had my favourite thing - the pin wall.  I tried not to hog it. 

To the right was a section that was much more up my kid's alley.  There was a play market with loads of groceries that you could put in your basket, scan, and use a cash register that gives real receipts.  There was also a music section where you could play a guitar and sing on stage - and get to see yourself on tv.  They also had a kid-sized house that you could "build" by adding bricks, shingles and siding.  There were also a lot of other really neat things like ball racetracks, spinning wheels, pots and pans and musical pipes to bang on.  We didn't get to see much of that because I couldn't get my son out of the market or the construction site long enough.

We didn't leave until 2pm - a record four hours at one place!  I didn't think anything could hold my son's attention that long.  It helped that we packed a picnic lunch.  There's an eating area with high chairs and washrooms right off the bat, so we easily stopped the play for a bite to eat when the baby started squawking.  Apparently there's a cafeteria somewhere, but this worked out much better.  My preschooler would have freaked while I tried to find it, thinking that we were going home.

A great time was had by all.  You know how I know?  The first thing my son said to me when we got in the car was, "Can we come back to the Science Centre again?"

Guess I'm going to have to get a membership.  Hint, hint, Santa.

Comments

[katie ~ motherbumper]

I love everything about KidsSpark accept the admission cost but the perks outweigh the minus. It's fun fun fun. We asked Santa for a membership too. It's an awesome rainy day place. On Fridays they have free drop-in / first-come first-serve program for kids under 8 that are really cool (limited seating) - there is an upcoming Hallowe'en party next Friday. Details on the website.

[katie ~ motherbumper]

I love everything about KidsSpark accept the admission cost but the perks outweigh the minus. It's fun fun fun. We asked Santa for a membership too. It's an awesome rainy day place. On Fridays they have free drop-in / first-come first-serve program for kids under 8 that are really cool (limited seating) - there is an upcoming Hallowe'en party next Friday. Details on the website.

[Naomi (Urban Mummy)]

We love the science centre. Both my boys have a fabulous time there, and I think the setup is appropriate for all ages!

[katie ~ motherbumper]

I love everything about KidsSpark accept the admission cost but the perks outweigh the minus. It's fun fun fun. We asked Santa for a membership too. It's an awesome rainy day place. On Fridays they have free drop-in / first-come first-serve program for kids under 8 that are really cool (limited seating) - there is an upcoming Hallowe'en party next Friday.

[Mouse]

Our membership easily paid for itself while we were in Toronto. And that was just with one adult and kid going most of the time. You also get half off parking with regular levels of membership. We even did a preschooler-parent class that ran for four weeks and included some time in Kidspark before opening!

[Mac and Cheese]

Thanks for the tip! I'm always desperate for a method of entertainment.

[kgirl]

chris just took the kids on sunday! we do a different membership every year - last year was the zoo, this year, science centre (better in the winter).

[katie ~ motherbumper]

OK - this is the 19th time I've tried to leave this comment: but YES KidSpark is awesome and on Friday's they run a drop-in, limited-seating, first-come-first-serve, party for the under 8 crowd at the Science Centre. Next week is their Hallowe'en party and if I can get us coordinated and out the door in time, we are going to try to hit it.

[womaninawindow]

It's good for the soul, isn't it, to get out there into the wider world? I bet it was a blast!