Spring is finally here! Get her gears spinning (and the educational juices flowing!) at one of these hands-on exhibits this month. 

Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition at Liberty Science Center

Can you really pull a tablecloth off of a fully set table without disturbing a dish? And does walking through a rainstorm really keep you drier than running through it? The Mythbusters crew use scientific observation and experiments to get to the bottom of all your burning questions. Make sure you check out the backwards driving Porsche and airplane entirely made out of duct tape on your way in!

 

Opening Weekend at Allaire Village

Travel back to simpler times starting April 1 when this historic site opens its doors for the season. Mini history buffs get to see what it was really like during colonial times by watching blacksmiths and carpenters at work. Don’t forget to swing by the old bakery for a snack.

 

Sea Turtle Sanctuary at the Turtle Back Zoo

This Essex County mainstay just got an adorable upgrade: a full-on sea turtle rehab center that nurses these little sea creatures back to health before releasing them into the wild. Look on as expert zoologists treat Kemp’s ridley turtles at this brand new state-of-the-art facility that’s the only one of its kind in NJ.

 

BASF Kids’ Lab at the Morris Museum

Starting April 22, young chemists get a chemistry lesson by completing kid-safe experiments under the watchful eye of an instructor. Each session has a different chem-centric theme and runs for about an hour. Added bonus: each child gets a take-home prize and backpack. Ages 6 to 12 plus their caregivers.

 

Adventures in Art and Technology in The Meatpacking District

Kids four and up explore all things tech at this two-month-long pop-up STEM exhibit that will make them reach for their thinking caps. Engineers-in-training get to build their own structures using Rigamajig and its wooden planks, wheels and pulleys, get creative in a full-blown GIF-making station and get a view of the stars in a blow-up planetarium. Also not to miss: a hands-on station where kiddos get to build their own vehicle and learn all about velocity, a post-it art installation and a giant ball pit. Reservations are required.

 

“Wilderness Camp” at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Soar to new heights at this exhibit that brings the great outdoors inside. Your little one assumes the role of an outdoor explorer going out on an epic adventure and learning all about the world’s natural resources along the way. Visitors can start by hanging out in real-life tents and doing various art projects like macramé (tying colorful string into knots to make artwork), playing with shadow puppets and singing and telling stories around a campfire. Your squad also gets the lowdown on basic survival skills, like how to start a fire and tool-making.

 

The Secret Garden at the Sugar Hill Museum of Art and Storytelling

This amazing series of abstract paintings comes to life in a crawl-around labyrinth of artist Shinique Smith’s creation. Children will crawl through the installation and learn about our role in waste production and how humans are intertwined with our planet. This exhibit is great for kids ages six and under.

 

The Butterfly Conservatory at The Museum of Natural History

Spend a spring afternoon indoors with some winged friends in a room that’s filled with hundreds of tropical butterflies and lush green plants. FYI: this annual exhibit is super-balmy (we’re talking summer temps), so make sure to dress in layers! All ages.

 

Powers of the President Exhibit at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia

From Washington to Obama every US President has put his own stamp on the oval office, redefining the meaning of executive power. Pack up the kiddos and let them see what exactly the executive branch does under the Constitution and what past presidents have done to make America the country it is today.

 

Farmyard at the Bronx Zoo Opening

Get a sneak peek of the new farmyard exhibit to meet, greet and pet some of our visitor favorites starting April 23. You're never too old to get up close with goats, sheep and even donkeys. The exhibit is great for all ages.