NYSCI Science Playground

City-Kid Review:

You stay there.
Me: Okay.
Stay right there. Okay?
Me: Okay.
Excited, City Kid runs to the other end of vocal tube, some distance away.
(Through the tube) Can you hear me?
Me (through tube): Yes!
City Kid runs back to me.
You could hear me?
Me: Yes.
City Kid beams an enormous smile of satisfaction, runs back to the other end of the tube.

When I was fourteen and choosing my options at school in England, the physics teacher, thinking he was being helpful, suggested I not take all of the available science options, and that I might be best ‘only taking biology’. Not because I didn’t excel at them, but because, and I quote, ‘there are no jobs for women in the sciences’.

Yup, I still remember his words, exactly.

Needless to say – and I thank my tenacious mother for this – I took all the sciences on offer: biology, chemistry, physics – and I loved them.
Especially physics.

Did I excel? Yes.
Was he wrong? Yes.
Did I get a job in the sciences? No.
But did I apply? No. 

What I wished had had said was: “Science is everywhere. It’s all around us. It is exciting. Science is all about asking questions. Do you ask questions?”

My reply: ‘Yes.’

He continues: “As long as you have curiosity and the desire to explore answers, you have the makings of a scientist. The fields of expertise are vast, the choices endless.”

That is how the Science Playground at NYSCi makes me feel.  It makes science practical, fun, exciting and relevant. Best of all, did I say it makes science fun?

The Science Playground at the New York hall of Science, is a feast for the imagination, with plenty of room to run around and a ton of different science-based, fun-based structures for City Kids to enjoy. We love it.

This is a very well thought out play area. It is multi-level, with enormous slides which time your velocity. There are different areas with a completely different feel, from the water trough with its fascinating and fun water carriers, to the more arid trellised and tunneled area. It is a great introduction to how fun science can be. Plus, it is an excellent and stimulating place in which children can play. One city kid was fascinated by the balls which continually roll around the main metallic structure. Another by the water. Another with climbing the rope double-polyhedron. There is so much to do, you can simply spend hours here.

The Science Playground is open seasonally from April -October and, if weather allows, even in November.

We highly recommend.

Need to Knows:

We love this playground.

Admission: $5 per person along with general admission. Admission is included with family explore and premium membership.

Open daily, April – Oct. Weekdays from 9.30am-5pm; weekends 10am-6pm, weather permitting.
If they open in November, it is 9.30-4pm weekdays and 10am-4pm weekends.

Location: New York Hall of Science is located on 47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368

Public transportation: You can get there on the 7 train, at 111th Street. Walk South on 111th street (past 41st-44th Avenues, under the train tracks and you will see it on the right)

The largest part of the playground is without shade, so bring plenty of sunblock.

They have a cafe with pizza, soup, things like that. It’s not that great a cafe but it has a spacious seating area and the staff are very nice.

All information correct at time of writing. 

Top-Tip

I recommend making other plans for lunch – bring sandwiches or plan to go somewhere else.  The cafeteria is small and limited  so you may wait a while for mediocre offerings. The staff are very friendly, though.

We went to Flushing and ate delicious noodles before going to the Museum.

Rocket park at the front of the museum is also fun, with their mini-golf. Staff are friendly and laidback. City Kid loves the satellite in the mini-golf putting green.

What is your favorite NYC Carousel? Please post in the comments below.

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