13 Reasons To Visit Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan

I could shout it from the rooftops: If you have kids and live within a few hours to Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan, you need to plan a visit stat.

This gem of a museum has been open since ’72 and is named after our five senses. Personally, it’s one of my favorites because I can tell it was either designed by a parent, or with a parent’s perspective considered — everything about it caters to families.

Here are 13 reasons you should plan a visit and let your child explore:

1. Easy, FREE parking. Impression 5 has its own dedicated lot, so no parking blocks away and schlepping in kids, lunches, and all the stuff they “need.”

2. Price. Impression 5 is one of the area’s most affordable places to go with kids. Tickets are $7 for kids and adults, $6.50 for seniors and FREE to kids under one. Less than a movie ticket 😉 {Note: I have a membership to the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum and I get in here for free. Best $ I spend each year! I highly recommend a membership.}

3. Giant body parts. Where else can a kid climb into a mouth and go inside an eye?  Such a great opportunity to talk about how the body works and blow your kid’s mind.

My 4-year-old LOVES the big mouth. My 2-year-old thought it was quite scary.

{We are SO excited for the Chew on This exhibit to open soon so we can continue mouth exploration!}

4. Kid size sinks in the bathroom. Anytime you can make my kids want to wash their hands, it’s a win in my book. Especially in places where they are touching every.single.thing.

5. An enclosed water play area. First, to play in the water area, you must put on a pair of Crocs. Such a great idea so kids don’t completely soak themselves. Also, this water area has a gate to keep the kids inside. This is invaluable when you have more than one kid to keep an eye on.

I can actually trust my sneaky toddler in here since there is a gate that she cannot open keeping her in!

6. A nursing room. As a nursing mama, I always get a little teary when I see things like this. It makes a big difference! Because believe me…I understand needing quiet to get a baby to nurse. Or, if you have a few kids with you and need to sit down and feed baby and can’t risk a toddler running off. Not that I have experienced this 😉

7. A lunch area. Anyone knows that an hour into any trip, kids are going to get hungry. It’s awesome to have a neat little area where kids can wash their hands at the nearby bathrooms and sit down and eat.

8. Exposure to science and the arts. There is a dedicated space with instruments for kids to play and learn about sound. My girls loved seeing the inside of the piano, for one example.

9. A HUGE Lite Brite. OK, it isn’t called that, but that’s what it is. It’s fairly new to the museum and is so.freakin.sweet. I could’ve played with this for hours!

10. Kids can learn about MI nature. There’s an amazing area full of nature and animals that exist in Michigan. Check out the giant freshwater fish tank, scope out frogs, learn about life cycles, the food chain, and more. {In a sweet nature explorer vest, of course.}

11. A Bubble Room. Need I say more? I haven’t met a kid yet who doesn’t love bubbles. There are various stations for making bubbles of all different shapes and sizes.

12. Making a donation is fun. Don’t forget to bring some change along on your trip. This little contraption makes it so kids can ‘race’ their pennies. This translates into a whole solid five minutes of toddler fun.

13. An excuse to drive by our state Capitol. Impression 5 is located just up Michigan Avenue from the capitol. If you can’t swing a tour, you can at least drive by so the kids can admire its beauty and you can talk about what happens inside. One more reason to love visiting Lansing!

I absolutely love this quote on the wall in the toddler area. So true!

So there you have it — 13 reasons to visit, but believe me, I can think of more reasons too! Such a fab place; I highly suggest you check it out 😀

Learn more by visiting Impression 5’s website here: www.impression5.org, or stopping by their Facebook page.

Looking for more fun indoor things to do this winter? Check out my big list of local ideas!

Have you been to Impression 5? What is your favorite reason to visit?