Garden State Discovery Museum...It’s not just for kids

The Garden State Discovery Museum, Located at 16 North Springdale Road in Cherry Hill, N.J. is a wonderful place to take the kids on a wintry weekend, or any day for that matter. Although it`s geared towards children, adults will find it interesting and exciting as well.

I first took my daughter there when she was four years old. I remember thinking “there won`t be very much for her to do here, and that we`d probably be out of there within an hour”. Was I ever wrong! After paying the nominal fee of $6.95 each, we turned the corner and were greeted by a large mock-up of a fishing boat complete with magnetic fish in the “water” and fishing poles with magnets for hooks. My daughter and I both landed several large fish, but as usual the really big one got away! After our “charter”, we were hungry, so we headed over to the “Discovery Diner” where my daughter and several other children served myself and other parents a variety of meals that only a kid could come up with. The diner mimics a 50`s style diner with a kitchen, menus, and even a milk shake mixer. All the food is plastic though, so be sure to eat before you go.

After our “meal” we decided to head over to the “Back Stage Theater” were I was treated to a wonderful rendition of … well I really don`t know what it was, but my daughter sure had fun doing it! The theater is equipped with costumes, lighting, music, seating for mom & dad, and much more. The only down side to the theater was that it took me about an hour to convince my daughter that there was plenty more to see!

We exited stage right and headed over to the “Vet`s Office” where we donned smocks and stethoscopes and proceeded to examine every stuffed animal in sight. After viewing several X-rays, my daughter successfully diagnosed the horse with a backache. It was then and there that my daughter discovered what she wanted to be when she grows up. Yep you guessed it, a Vet! To this day she still insists that that`s what she`s going to do with her life.

After a quick trip to the “Bubble Trouble” and “Under Construction” exhibits, we decided that it was time to call it a day. At least that was my plan. My daughter reluctantly agreed under the condition that we return on a weekly basis to, as she put it “have more fun!”

We didn`t get a chance to explore all the wonderful exhibits the museum offers on our first visit, but since then we have returned numerous times and each time we have discovered new and “fun” things to do.

The museum also has birthday parties, workshops, group visits, memberships, changing tables, snack bar, the “Discovermore Gift Shop” and much more.

This place offers kids of all ages a bit of fun, and hey, you and your children may actually learn something without even knowing it.

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Author: Steve Kelly