Children's Museum

Randy and I took Abby to the Children's Museum in Burlington last week while Randy was off for our anniversary. We wanted to do something fun together as a family, and so chose this place. I had gone here several months ago with Abby and her cousins, and knew Randy would love to explore it with Abby. There are so many fun things to see and do here!

There is a semi truck cab for driving practice...

A water gun shooting area where you can spray water at objects on the wall. If you hit the objects right, they'll spin, fill with water and lift up an octopus, lift a fish on a line, and other creative stuff. There are two water guns, and some of the activities require teamwork to make them do their thing. I thought it was so cute the way Randy held Abby on his lap so she could shoot the gun. :)

There is a stage complete with curtain, and a dress-up area behind it with all sorts of fun costumes. Randy found this most adorable racoon costume and dressed Abby in it. She looked so cute running around the museum in her costume!

There is a river and pond with fish and fishing poles. The fish have magnets in them, and you "catch" them with the magnetic ends on the poles. There are also blocks that you can rearrange in the river to cause a dam, and then you let the water go and watch it rush into the pond.

And a working crane to haul a sack of oats. The crane arm moves side to side, and the cable goes up and down. There is also a working microphone that the kids love to talk into. Behind the crane is a rope ladder. If you climb the ladder, you can ring a bell!

Abby cozying with the big stuffed bears on the stage.

You can climb a couple vertical boat ladders and get into a boat, put on a captain's hat, and "drive" the boat, or put on a life jacket and sit on the deck. Underneath the boat is a sandbox. Someone told me the sand is made out of recycled plastic. It's a fun place for little kids.

And then there's a toddler area, too. It has books, puzzles, a riding dog and horse, a play house, and a jungle gym. Abby tried it all! I climbed in the play house with her, and Randy snapped this picture of us.

I haven't even mentioned the music room, the photo wall, the craft area, the reading area, the shopping market, the fish, turtles, .... There is so much to enjoy and discover at this place! Sensory overload (and the need for a nap) took effect after a couple hours, so we coaxed Abby away and left for the day. I'm sure we'll be back again!