Imagine Nation Museum

UPDATE 4/4/17: Imagine Nation has undergone a major redesign and renovation since our first visit back in 2012. Check out our NEW POST about this museum for the latest details. And of course, be sure to visit their website for the most up to date information, especially about things like hours and admission.

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2012 POST:

Cut to the chase.  Take me to the Momsense.

Over the last year, I have had fun taking my kids to a few children’s museums in Connecticut.   We’ve been to Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk and the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester.  Shawna has also been to Kidcity in Middletown and the Children’s Museum in West Hartford.

I love how each of these museums provide unique experiences for our children to learn and explore.

So, when my sisters were here for a visit this summer, I decided to take advantage of the extra hands on deck and take Bruiser and Sparkles to visit a new-to-us children’s museum.

Our destination for this adventure was Imagine Nation Museum in Bristol, Connecticut.

I was able to lessen the expense for this trip by once again taking advantage of the museum pass program at my local library.  {Quick tip:  I learned that for the West Hartford library, I could call them the evening before I had the pass reserved to see if it had been turned in.  If the pass was there, they let me come get it that evening, saving me a trip the next morning and getting us to the museum much closer to opening time.)

With pass in hand, we ventured down to the museum that Friday morning.

I got a bit turned around with the GPS on our way there, but we eventually arrived.  I didn’t notice a parking lot, so I parked on the street near the entrance.

Later I learned that the parking lot is located behind the museum.  Below is a little map detailing the location of the parking area and the streets surrounding the museum.  Just get on Upson Street (one way) and look for the Imagine Nation parking sign on your left.

We headed into the museum and the first thing we saw was a cute eating area with a retro diners vibe.

Here you could grab some ice cream, order a little lunch or bring your own lunch to eat.

After taking a peek at the ice cream and lunch menu, we checked in at the front desk and headed into the museum.

When we walked in, we were greeted with many activity options for the kids.

The first floor is mostly an open space and contains several exhibits.

This might be a nice setup if you have kids that can play on their own and want to play in two different areas.  You would be able to keep an eye on them.

Here is a quick look at what is offered on the various floors of the museum.

On the first floor, my kids had a grand time checking out the various exhibits.

Bruiser did a little shopping. 

And Sparkles tested out the music equipment.

They observed the designs created by the harmonograph.

And Sparkles snuck into the area for the 3-6 year olds.

There was a section filled with K’Nex.

And both Sparkles and Bruiser put on their little aprons for the construction area. 

When we were done with the first floor, we headed upstairs to see what other activities were available.

Our first stop was a room that contained reptiles (not my favorite type of exhibit, but the kids loved it).

That particular day, Bruiser was a bit more interested in throwing all of the dirt on the floor than with checking out the animals.  That was fun to clean up.

Another entertaining exhibit was the mock Sports Center studio.

The kids could sit at the desk and read from a prompter and see their cute little mugs on a video screen.  I got a good laugh watching my sisters try and get the twins to sit still at the desk.  Very entertaining.

This floor also had a water room that contained a water table and a water painting area.  There was also a fun little exhibit where the kids stood in the center of a hoola hoop and a large bubble formed around them.

We also saw a jungle themed playscape for the older crew.

And an arts and crafts area for all ages.

One of my kids’ favorite non-exhibit, exhibit was the elevator.  I swear my son would be happy just riding an elevator up and down all day long.

There was also this fun little magnet board that kept my 1 year olds very entertained.  It reminded me that I have been meaning to create a little magnet board at my house from an oil drip pan (something I saw on Pinterest of course 🙂

This floor contained several other exhibits, but I didn’t get pictures of everything.  There was a little basketball area, some computer games, a doll collection, a hospital nursery, etc.  Lots of things to keep your little one’s entertained.

There is also an area on the third floor level that contains a room where you can watch a short movie about space travel.

Before we headed out, we did go back downstairs and outside to see the outdoor play area.  It wasn’t very large, but it was completely fenced in and gave my little ones a place to run around and burn off some energy.  Note that the playground is only open to the museum visitors during certain times.

Overall, I thought this museum was a fun place for the kids.  Given that mine are still young and need to be monitored at all times (they were only 16 months at the time) it would have been a bit challenging to take them on my own.  But, as they get older, and can explore a little more on their own, this would be a perfect destination.

THE MOMSENSE:

Imagine Nation Museum

1 Pleasant Street, Bristol, Connecticut

Email:  info@imaginenation.org

 

Hours

Closed on Monday’s and Tuesday’s

Wednesday – Friday open 9:30am – 5:00pm (the first Friday of the month they are open until 8:00pm)

Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Just for Imagine Nation members: Stay Until 6 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Museum is CLOSED on the following days:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Memorial Day
• July 4
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

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Admission

Admission is $7.00 per person. Infants under one are admitted free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• Present your current museum membership card with the ACM Reciprocal Program sticker on the reverse side for free admission for up to 4 family members.
• Become a member of the Imagine Nation Museum and enjoy free unlimited museum admission!
• Show your Big Y shopping card and save $1.00 off every two admissions!
• Check out your library’s museum pass program for free and reduced admission

Parking FREE

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Hints & Tips:

• There is an elevator that provides access to all floors (and entertainment for your toddlers)
• There is a place with tables and chairs (and a few high chairs) where you can eat lunch or snacks.  Bring a lunch or plan to eat at the soda fountain.
• There are restrooms on both floors and there are restrooms on each floor with a baby changing station.  Just look for the sign designating the baby changing area.
• It is my understanding that during the school year, there are typically field trips happening on Tuesdays and Fridays.  You may want to avoid those days for your visit as it can get a little crowded.

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