Where to Wednesday: Lawrence Hall of Science
Although I had heard this was a fun place to visit, it took me a while before I decided to make this a Wednesday destination. Neither of my boys can read yet, let alone understand the nuances of things like gravitational pull or wind resistance, or whatever else was sure to come up at a science museum. I was sure that by the time I had read the information on any exhibit and actually tried to digest it myself, the boys would be on to something else eye catching. As we drove up the hills of Berkeley I said a little prayer, “let them at least enjoy it here for as long as it has taken me to make the drive”. After all, I had roped other moms into making the trek as well. So nothing could be finer than what greeted us on the plaza; this huge DNA strand made for climbing, as well as what appeared to be a full scale climbable whale! Feeling more confident, I was ready to bring on the science.
This museum is truly a place where scientists and kids collide. The entrance foyer immediately entices the kids with beach balls and life-sized hair dryer machines. (yeah, I’m sure there’s a better word for this… did I mention I’m science-impaired?) The balls balance on a stream of air while the machine is pointed up, but you can rotate them and see at what angle the ball is too heavy and falls. This is a great place to wait for friends, as it was hard to pull the kids away. There are several other hands on exhibits in the lobby, but further back is where you hit the jackpot. A very large space is geared just for kindergarteners and younger. There are things to climb on, things to build, computer stations and exhibits that illustrate concepts that even I can explain to my five-year-old. Pictured here is a large wall hanging. You can insert and move the flat slots around the back, making a path for the ping pong balls to roll (or drop or bounce) on. This is an example of many of the exhibits that were perfect for kids of varying ages.
Further in the room is a small planetarium, which wasn’t open during the time we were there. There is a room with animals downstairs which was also closed during our visit. I understand from their website that Lawrence Hall of Science also offers many classes geared toward the younger crowd. I only wish now we lived closer and could come back more frequently on weekends to visit the exhibits we missed or attend the after school classes that are offered. Also worth mentioning, the rooms are quite large so it is not impossible to have two kids playing with two different things, and have one eye on each of them.
At the end of the visit, when the kids are a bit wired from running from one contraption to the next, you can find some respite on the outdoor patio. Here is a garden setting with water pools and yes, even a few hands-on science things to play around. The view is gorgeous. You can even get a closer look through a few well-positioned telescopes. We stayed a full two and a half hours. Considering there were still places unexplored, I am mighty impressed with this find. This is worth several future return trips, even for a sciencephobe like me. 
This place sounds great. Another one on the “to-go-to” list once we get back.
Lora, your entire site is like a giant bookmark for me!