I’m sure by now the “I’m bored!” statement has been heard by people everywhere. Kids are out of school, families are off work, and it takes only a day or two for people to start claiming they are bored. I thought I’d share a couple Boredom Busters on the blog this week that adults and kids alike could take advantage of during the holiday season.
MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) is located in Tampa, FL. I’d driven by numerous times on my trips to Tampa but had never gone in. When I had the chance to check it out I brought my best friend and her husband along for the adventure. So keep in mind that this review is based on 3 adults and their experiences at the museum.
MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry and technology. MOSI’s core ideology is to make a difference in people’s lives by making science real for people of all ages and backgrounds. You can experience a scientific playground of more than 450 hands-on activities in the largest science center in the southeastern United States! Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry offers more than 400,000 square feet of interactive exhibits including Florida’s only IMAX® Dome Theatre. Learn through play inside Kids In Charge! the largest Children’s Science Center in the nation, Disasterville, featuring Bay News 9 WeatherQuest and The Amazing You—a 13,000 square-foot exhibition on health and wellness from the beginning of life to the end. Conquer your fears and experience an adrenaline rush like no other on MOSI’s Sky Trail® Ropes Course (additional charge – not including with general admission ticket), featuring 35 elements on a 12 – 36 foot high, multilevel structure or defy gravity and soar 700 feet on MOSI’s newest permanent attraction, the Sky Trail Zip Line.
During our visit to MOSI we checked out an IMAX film about Great White Sharks. The only film i’d seen in the IMAX Dome Theatre before was one of the Harry Potter movies a couple of years back. That was cool, but this shark film was way cooler! The film showed you just how cool, and non-threatening, great white sharks are. It was about a 45 minute film and it kept you engaged the whole time. We were seated next to a family with a couple of kids (approximately ages 5-11) and they seemed to enjoy it just as much as we did.
My favorite thing at MOSI was a tie between the 3D Printing the Future exhibition and the BioWorks Butterfly garden. I had heard a lot about 3D printing but didn’t really understand it until checking out this exhibit. It was so neat to see everything a 3D printer could make. From miniature scale models of buildings, to prosthetic hands, to duck feet – the sky really is the limit with 3D printers.
We checked out the Butterfly Garden on our way out and it was super cool. There were tons of butterflies to look at and learn about. One of them even landed on Laura! I made her stand still while I took a picture and then the butterfly didn’t want to leave. We were told not to touch the butterflies so we really didn’t know what to do. The staff just told us to hang tight and eventually the butterfly would take off again. He finally did, but for awhile there we were worried that we might have to spend the afternoon in the butterfly garden.
Tickets are $18.95 for kids under 12 (kids under 6 are free) and $22.95 for adults. You ticket includes entry to the museum, the planetarium, and an IMAX film. If you happen to be a teach in Pasco, Hillsborough, or Pinellas County you are eligible for a free annual membership.
Want to take your family to check out MOSI during your time (or any time over the next year)? Use the rafllecopter below to win tickets for four! Contest is open until 11:59 pm on Saturday, December 27th.
*Disclosure: I was given 3 complimentary passes to visit MOSI along with 4 passes to give away. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
I love visiting MOSI Tampa, their special exhibits are always so interesting. I saw Bodies exhibit there, it was great!