Our family invested in a family pass for the Heritage Discovery Center this year and it is paying big dividends. This Johnstown museum and interactive play space has become a communal explosion of exploration. Here is the first Top 10 of 2020:
#10: Put on your Hard Hat
There is plenty for children to conquer at this Broad Street bonanza. And for courageous adults, there is opportunity to turn back the clock and celebrate the splendor of youth. Inside the Discovery Center, you can be a pediatrician, a train conductor, and an executive chef. You can own a grocery store or plan a fashion show. You can be anything you want to be.
Many would say, I am not built for the coal mines. Physically, yes, I am built for mine life. I am short and shifty; however, I am quite incompetent in various forms of manual labor. I'm also a fierce opponent of occupations significantly above or below sea level. I never in my life wanted to be an astronaut or operate a submarine. I like Earth's air.
So, when I started navigating the coal mine fun zone with my daughters, I had some trepidation. Quickly, and with short and shifty vigor, I got into a mining groove. I was role playing. I was referencing the seven dwarfs. I was a Discovery Dad.
And then, I banged my head off of a pipe. More specifically, off a screw on the pipe. My 5-year-old, playing the role of mining doctor, assessed my injury. She reported it was safe for me to go down the slide despite the blood. So, I held on tight, to my head, and made my way down the dark slide and into the light of other parents. I played it coal mining cool and headed to the bathroom.
Upon looking into the mirror and taking a good hard look at my life, there was only one thing I could do. I, a boy, emerged from the Boy's Room and asked an employee for a band-aid.
Today, there is a purple foam protector covering that screw. It is a tribute to my bravery.
#9: Arts and Crafts
This is more my speed. Coloring a miner is much more gratifying than mining. I have established a reputation as an Arts and Crafts guru. This was after I established a reputation as an idiot in the coal mine.
#8: Immigration
On the first floor, you can pretend to be an immigrant. The last time we were there we did something that was quite common when people immigrated to America - we lost track of someone. Our 2-year-old was M.I.A. for a brief interval. We were leading this wolfpack of parents and wolves and we lost track of our second born.
Long story short, we found her and she earned her citizenship. We love her more every day.
We never lost our first born.
We do not plan on having a third.
#7: Hot Dam
A kiddo favorite is the exhibit where you can build a dam and see if it can withstand a force of water. It is an excellent opportunity in engineering and psychology. You discover which kids are going to make positive contributions to society and which kids will intentionally flood a town and laugh at catastrophe.
#6: Super Market Sweep
My daughters love creating their own Aldi. The super market gives children the opportunity to shop, run a register, and run into each other. Typically, my 5-year-old charges $1.00 for every item. Jug of milk? $1.00. Eggplant? $1.00. Single egg? $1.00. My 2-year-old does not indicate pricing. She slashes prices completely. She just stands behind the register and moves money and vegetables around. Sometimes you get a bag of squash and cash. Sometimes you get squat.
#5: Train Sweeping By
If you are lucky, a real-life train will go by while you are at the Discovery Center. At least one parent has to announce that a real-life train is in eyesight. Without any words being exchanged, every parent thinks the same thing: "One of us has to declare that a train is out there. Someone do it for the kids."
I've been that parent. I think I have actually whispered it. "There is a train". It is usually when I am coloring by myself.
#4: Inclined Plane
A real good arm workout is turning a wheel to move the Inclined Plane replica. I used to belong to a gym and do a range of free weight exercises. Now, I operate a toy and tell other Dads it is a good workout. I actually said that the last time we were there. "It is a good workout".
I am probably starting to scare some kids, "Mom, why is that man spinning that wheel so hard? Is he sweating? Is that the same guy who had a band-aid on his head last Saturday?"
#3: Feed Me
In the play kitchen, there is a table set for four. If you play your menu right, you can sit at the table and kids will feed you pretend food. They bring over terrible combinations of grub. Taco with a donut? Perfect. Corn on the cob with ketchup? Thank you.
The best part about it - you do not have to clean up. You just walk away. And for whatever reason, the kids often clean up themselves and ENJOY it. They work together. They take pride in keeping a clean kitchen.
It will never happen in real life.
#2: The Making of Steel
The grand finale of all our Discovery trips is watching this documentary in the theatre. My kids love it and they love taking new buddies to this cinematic wonder. They promote the steel out of the movie, which you would think would be a hard sell. But, my daughters project this genuine grandeur that excites the crowd every time.
Critics say it will "Steel your heart" (Dad joke).
#1: Families
The best part of the Discovery Center is the family-friendly and educational atmosphere. Whether you are a parent or a kid, it is always nice to learn in your community. Being together as a family is a blessing. Being together with other families is a blessing too.
I hope to see you at the Discovery Center some time soon.
All aboard!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment