Children's Science Center Lab
Children's Science Center Lab
4
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Northern Virginia's only interactive Children's Museum, the Children's Science Center Lab provides fun, interactive exhibits, activities, and programs for children, families and school groups to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) hands-on.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
13 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
sueajp
Holliston, MA80 contributions
Apr 2017
This is a small place tucked away in a mall. That made it easy to have lunch later as there were lots of options. The space is very inviting and was perfect for our 7 and 4 year old grandchildren. There were free areas to explore and then a talk on how to feed a sea horse. Then there was an experiment station where helpful staff guided the children to conduct experiments. Some of it was over there heads. Its best to choose an easy task, like the bubble mixtures. They had a cool building area with planks the kids could explore. It was not crowded at all while we were there, but I imagine it could get claustrophobic if busy. There was also a separate party area. We enjoyed it.
Written 17 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VEC24
Lorain, OH250 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
I went here with my 4 year old grandson on one of those rare cool summer days. Evidently I was not the first to find this place, as it was pretty crowded. There are basically four rooms that are open for everyone, and another room that may be available if there is no class in session.
The first room is geared more toward the youngest set. That said, it really isn't for anyone younger than three. There are some large blue blocks of various shapes that can be used to build a pretend building or track. If there are too many kids, there aren't enough blocks to go around. In addition this area has some books to read and some percussion instruments. If you have a toddler, don't expect to let them run loose here. Older kids are in this area all the time and are not necessarily mindful of the little ones.
A second room is a lot more hands on. There are multiple tables where you can work with one of the electronic kits, build with Keva sticks, or design your own aircraft for a wind tunnel.
The third room focuses on energy. There is a windmill display that you can build, some interlocking gears that you can adjust as well as a very neat adjustable display of gravity flow and an Archimedes screw that the kids turn to move all the balls back up. Here, the little kids had the most fun gathering the balls and turning the screw.
What my grandson had the most fun with was the lab, to the left as you enter the science lab. They had three experiments with easy to follow directions. We probably started with the most boring and moved are way up to the magnetic slime. This experiment creates some black metallic putty that will swallow up the small magnets they provide. I think we spent a half hour with this experiment....and we got to take the slime home!
We spent some time after lunch in the classroom where they seemed to have an unlimited supply of Keva sticks. Every once in a while you would hear a giant crash as someone's tower came tumbling down.
All in all this was a fun place for kids and grownups. The kids generally do need some help with whatever projects they're trying and you get into the spirit of learning. I was told the lab changes out their experiments, so I'll probably go back in a month or two during the week when the older kids are at school.
The first room is geared more toward the youngest set. That said, it really isn't for anyone younger than three. There are some large blue blocks of various shapes that can be used to build a pretend building or track. If there are too many kids, there aren't enough blocks to go around. In addition this area has some books to read and some percussion instruments. If you have a toddler, don't expect to let them run loose here. Older kids are in this area all the time and are not necessarily mindful of the little ones.
A second room is a lot more hands on. There are multiple tables where you can work with one of the electronic kits, build with Keva sticks, or design your own aircraft for a wind tunnel.
The third room focuses on energy. There is a windmill display that you can build, some interlocking gears that you can adjust as well as a very neat adjustable display of gravity flow and an Archimedes screw that the kids turn to move all the balls back up. Here, the little kids had the most fun gathering the balls and turning the screw.
What my grandson had the most fun with was the lab, to the left as you enter the science lab. They had three experiments with easy to follow directions. We probably started with the most boring and moved are way up to the magnetic slime. This experiment creates some black metallic putty that will swallow up the small magnets they provide. I think we spent a half hour with this experiment....and we got to take the slime home!
We spent some time after lunch in the classroom where they seemed to have an unlimited supply of Keva sticks. Every once in a while you would hear a giant crash as someone's tower came tumbling down.
All in all this was a fun place for kids and grownups. The kids generally do need some help with whatever projects they're trying and you get into the spirit of learning. I was told the lab changes out their experiments, so I'll probably go back in a month or two during the week when the older kids are at school.
Written 29 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Umbaraka
Washington, Dc42 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
i took both my 9 year old and my 3 year old to this and both enjoyed it and found plenty to keep them busy. i scheduled 2 hours and wish i had planned on more time.
Written 28 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrw465
Fairfax Station, VA4 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
My son had his ninth birthday party at the science center. Of all of the birthday parties we've had over the years, it was by far the worst. A bad experience. Their schedule is to only allow the kids 35 minutes in the science center and almost an hour for the super boring experiment and food in the smallish party room. We had 15 kids but they allow up to 22, I can't imagine that. It was packed with 15 kids. The party helpers were not at all helpful and complained almost constantly at the kids for their behavior - too loud, not paying attention, not sitting in their seats, etc. I set everything up myself, served almost all of the food myself and had to specifically ask them to do any small thing they pitched in with. They did help clean-up, but probably just to get us out. It's a shame. I thought this was a great idea for a kid's party and it was awful.
Written 12 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb H
Myrtle Beach, SC568 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
This was more expensive than I thought it was going to be, but our 7-year-old granddaughter loved it. Personally, I think this may be better for a 9-11 year old. Great concept, great stuff, just not cheap.
Written 18 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hetman
Vienna, Austria149 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
After reading their quite inviting webpage we undertook a long drive...but left disappointed. First, this place, if anything is for kids below 8-9, if not younger. The staff, most of them probably high-school students, was not very engaging, with 1-2 exception (chatting with each other had a priority). The exchibitions were kimited and pretty primitive. When we inquired about the classes they had advertised for the Spring Break, we were told that parents have to accompany the kids < 13 for each and every class, AND they have to pay for admission. Every time, Just to hang around till their kids attend the class.We did attend one (computer science) and were disappointed too. First, the age limits were not enforced (lots of kids younger than 7 hanging around in the class); second, the class was shorter than advertised (45 min instead of an hour); and the technology malfunctioned (well, I am mentioning this just because it was a sort of a technology class). A long story short - it's perhaps ok for little kids; there is not much to do for the rest.
Written 21 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DisneyFamilyDreams
Virginia3 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
My 7 year old daughter loved the fun science and building activities. She didn't want to leave. She had the most fun creating small aircrafts to see which one would fly the highest in the vertical wind tunnel. She also loved creating the slime at the experiment bar. She enjoyed building with giant foam blocks and the wooden blocks. She built a car with the small lego-looking bricks. They had goo in cups hooked up to a computer so you could "play" the piano by pressing on the goo. There were magnet activities and learning about conservation. There were fun activities for parents to do with their kids. Staff is friendly and helpful. Good indoor location in a mall for a fun afternoon.
Written 8 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FecFam
Northern Virginia, VA242 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
My kids enjoyed this lab, especially the experiments that they conducted. We even bought a membership in the beginning, but found that we didn't visit as much as we thought we would. Have since let our membership lapse. We were also disappointed that they weren't able to accommodate our birthday party request. They were so popular in the first year that they were booked for months. Would definitely recommend a couple of visits.
Written 15 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlfish
Selinsgrove, PA32 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
Over the past five years, we've taken our son to eight science museums in four states. This ranks among the best despite its small size and unusual location.
The experiments lab was truly unique among the genre. A few of the exhibits -- the robot arm, and wind energy simulator -- were far above what we're used to seeing in similar museums. I was impressed.
The attention given by the staff to the science behind the activities was appreciated. They kept us engaged even though they had a school field trip in at the same time. The price of admission is below average for a facility of this type, and they offer re-entry, which many do not.
The experiments lab was truly unique among the genre. A few of the exhibits -- the robot arm, and wind energy simulator -- were far above what we're used to seeing in similar museums. I was impressed.
The attention given by the staff to the science behind the activities was appreciated. They kept us engaged even though they had a school field trip in at the same time. The price of admission is below average for a facility of this type, and they offer re-entry, which many do not.
Written 29 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug930
Vienna, Virginia, United States16 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
We visited the science center with our 4 year old grandson on a weekday morning. The facility was easy to find and very well laid out. The STEM approach to learning was evident from the moment we entered the center. There are hands on, age-appropriate activities in all the areas. The focus is on learning, and the method of presentation is fun, creative and imaginative.
The price of admission is worth every penny. This is a venue that will serve children and families well. We will definitely return.
The price of admission is worth every penny. This is a venue that will serve children and families well. We will definitely return.
Written 28 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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