Be The Astronaut at Sloan Museum in Flint Through 5/13 {Info + Tips!}

Sloan Museum is a blog supporter and advertiser for Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood. All opinions expressed belong to me.

Lately, my girls — ages 5 and 7 — have been obsessed with space. We’ve rented several books from the library about space, and I am currently working on finishing up a space-themed room for my 5-year-old {will be revealed soon}.

So when I found out Sloan Museum would be getting the Be The Astronaut exhibit, I was stoked! This is the perfect opportunity for space-loving kids to learn more in a hands-on way. If you’ve never explored all the family-friendly fun in Flint, this is a great reason to do so!

I took my girls this weekend and we had a blast exploring and pretending to be astronauts.

ABOUT ‘BE THE ASTRONAUT’ AT SLOAN MUSEUM

Blast off in your own space capsule and discover the future of space exploration! Come aboard Starship Sloan, explore interactive navigation and technology stations, and get ready to pilot your own mission. Videogame interfaces and hands-on command centers allow YOU to become the engineers and astronauts that make space flight possible.

Each child receives a special card to complete their mission. So fun!

To complete the mission, users must follow the prompts at each of the three stations set-up throughout the exhibit.

At the NAV Station, users plan their mission and determine where they’d like to go — the moon, Mars, or Jupiter/Ceres {in the asteroid belt}. Missions can be chosen based on skill level — rovers for beginners, or landers for more advanced learning.

At the SCI Station, users can learn about the technology that will be used abroad the spacecraft. My daughters loved learning with the touch screen puzzles, and this was definitely an area all ages could understand.

At the FLY Station, users are able to pilot their own mission, complete with a 3D experience and co-pilots guiding the way. {Even though I thought this was above their age group, my girls said this was their favorite part since it felt like a video game!}

Each station is clearly labelled with a 1, 2 or 3, so that helped navigate the area.

SPACE SCHOOL AT LONGWAY PLANETARIUM

We did not get the chance to head over to Longway, but if you have time to squeeze in a show at Michigan’s largest planetarium, I highly suggest doing so by purchasing a combo ticket.

More about the Space School show:

Dive into the underwater world of outer space! Plunge into microgravity simulation in the world’s most high-tech swimming pool, where astronauts practice repairing the International Space Station. Explore an extreme underwater training habitat as you discover how astronauts test equipment, conduct experiments, and live in isolation to prepare for space.

TIPS

• This exhibit is definitely reading and listening intensive, so I’d suggest ages 8+. However, if you’ve never been to Sloan and have a younger child who is interested in space, I would absolutely go. My girls enjoyed it, and they always love looking through all the historic items throughout the entire museum, and the imaginative play area for the younger kids — Wisner’s Whizbang Emporium.
• The exhibit itself is small, which is great for keeping track of kids, but it is fairly dark. Just be warned if you have little ones with you that tend to wander. They may be better off in a stroller. The entire museum is in a loop, so it’s extremely stroller-friendly.
• No need to stress about parking — there is a dedicated lot and plenty of parking nearby, and it’s all free.
• There is a gift shop at the entrance/exit. There are lots of neat things, but it’s easy to bypass if budget doesn’t allow for a trinket. It’s very affordable though IMO!
• If you’d like to pack lunches or snacks, the Halfway Cafe is in the middle of the museum and is the perfect spot to stop to eat. If you do not bring food, we love The Palette Café inside the Flint Institute of Arts, which is across the street.
• For breastfeeding mamas, there is a private nursing room next to the ladies restroom to quietly nurse.
• Check the special events section for upcoming space-themed events!

TICKET PRICING

Be The Astronaut is included in regular museum admission. Prices are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors {60+}, children ages 2-11 are $6 and ages 1 and under are free.

PRO TIP: SAVE $ by renting a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive buy one adult admission, get one child FREE!

COSMIC COMBO Tickets to Sloan Museum + Longway Planetarium are $14 adults, $12 seniors 60+, $9 youth ages 2-11. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Space School Show Times: Daily at 4 p.m. and Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7 p.m.

MUSEUM HOURS

Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12-5 p.m.

Check out the rest of Sloan and why to visit at THIS POST.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Blast off and enjoy the exhibit if you go 😉