I recently attended the re-opening of the Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, CT. After two years of construction and a few months of closure during renovations, they re-opened with a much larger space than before. I have been bringing my kids to the museum since they were very young, so when we pulled into the parking lot, they jumped with joy at the thought of the fun they knew they were about to have. I honestly think that the changes make the museum even better than it was before. It’s much more spacious, so no matter how many people show up (during a break from school like this past week), the crowds spread throughout the large space and children have room to play and explore.
The museum is still divided into sections. My kids were wild about a new offering called The Energy Lab where they learned about the power of energy in everything from wind to the sun’s power to water to the earth’s natural resources. We literally started and ended our trip here. My son couldn’t get enough of the platforms that he climbed to get a birds eye view of the lab with cranks, levers, air tubes and blowers set balls and objects, putting the body and mind into action. Waterfalls, basins, funnels and water wheels that they could pump, push, turn and direct water to perform everyday activities were also big hits with my kids. My son was also crazy about the area Build It! where he could explore architectural design and construction. He was in absolute heaven in his construction vest and hat, pretending to finish work on a building in development. Healthyville offers over 50 hands-on activities—nearly a dozen computer games, six main attractions, a real TV studio and countless opportunities to help children learn more about their bodies and their health.development. The kids loved exploring nutrition, fitness, hygiene, safety and their own brainpower. They took an imaginary journey to the exotic rainforests of Latin America, Asia and Africa and Australia in Rainforest Adventure. The ColorCoaster is a non-stop giant mechanical toy that uses energy, motion, gravity, color and light as it spins and whirs. The kids were memorized by the movement and activity of this contraction. Lastly, the museum offers a new Multimedia Gallery that is pretty amazing. It has a 33′ x 12′ immersive screen and an open floor plan, as well as a performance stage and interactive floor projection technology that the kids danced and jumped on for a long time. Check out some photos from our day at the museum:
The kids are already asking when we can return. The museum offers really great special events – they were having special Christmas activities with arts and crafts and Santa Claus on this particular day. We’ll go back again soon.
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