Discovery Science Place
Hours M-S 9-5pm
Sun 1-5pm
Major holidays – closed
Our family love the Discovery Science Place (DSP) in Tyler!
There are 3 large rooms filled with different ‘hands on’ experiences for children and the effect is a stimulating and fun day out to absorb even the most hyper-active of children.
For the little ones, who love imaginative play – the room filled with different life experiences is a huge attraction. They can dress up and pretend to be a firefighter, pilot, mechanic, shop assistant, pizza chef, veterinarian, a nursery nurse or even a paramedic in a real ambulance! These exhibits are sponsored by local businesses and are changed and restocked frequently. The room next door has changing exhibits which target the older child and are very educational. Here they can see physical science in action with things like magnets, weather simulations and my children’s favorite – a bubble table where they could make enormous bubbles!
The main room has so many things to see and do that I can’t possibly list them all. There is a model mountain that you can climb inside and experience a simulated earthquake, a ship, a fossil dig, ball games, a light show and a skeleton to name but a few. There is a very small soft play area for toddlers and an aquarium and bee hive too. For the construction-minded there is a duplo table, other blocks, magnets and puzzles.
In the summer and during one week at Christmas, the DSP has ‘camps’ for kids where they conduct science experiments and create things to take home. You can also have your children’s party here. Home school co-ops would certainly benefit from a trip to the DSP.
There are 2 things that need to be noted about the DSP. Firstly, and rather disappointingly, there is no cafe. Perhaps that is intentional so that parents get involved with their children’s learning experiences rather than sitting and drinking a cup of coffee in peace while the children play, but a place to buy snacks would be great. There is however, a place provided where you can eat your own sack lunch and a lunch room for larger groups.
Secondly I would say that the DSP has a host of things to keep children under 8 amused on numerous visits but I really don’t think it is educational ‘for all ages‘ like the brochure implies. I hope that this museum develops and grows to meet the needs of the older child too.
The admission is currently $6 per person which is reasonable for small families but rather steep for families of more than 4. There are of course annual memberships which allow unlimited visits and discounts in the store – which is full of fun toys and activities for kids.
The Discovery Science Place is a great attraction for kids in Tyler.