{This post is sponsored by The Strong National Museum of Play and SheKnows Media.}
Landon and I went on a big adventure last weekend — we drove up to Rochester, NY because we were invited to check out an amazing museum: The Strong National Museum of Play!
The Strong is a 285,000-square-foot, highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play.
A museum dedicated to playing? Of course we had to check it out!
The Strong is one of the largest history museums in the United States, and one of the leading museums serving families.
It houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, and much more.
We spent about five hours there, and we would have loved to stay longer – The Strong is so much fun and so educational!
There are hundreds of interactive stations where kids and adults can try new things and are encouraged to play and learn.
Here are just a few of our favorite activities:
The exaggerated perspective room in the Field of Play is a real mind tease! When you walk in, you feel like the whole room is rotating, and it’s hard to stay upright even though your brain knows that the room is stationary. Landon and I walked through it over and over again.
I’d love to have long legs like this, ha!
After having fun in this section, we walked into Wegmans Super Kids Market. The kids get to shop just like grownups or they can be a baker, a grocer, or a butcher.
Landon has been interested in being a cashier since he was really little, so of course scanning the items and working the cash register that spits out a real receipt was his favorite job, plus using the intercom.
Until January 7, 2019, kids get to experience being an astronaut. They get to sit in a cockpit and fly to the moon, drive a rover on mars, and blast off into deep space. This exhibit is so well done, and we spent quite a bit of time here. Once this traveling exhibit leaves, a new one – Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit – will be open in the same space in February.
Want to walk up the wall like Spiderman? That’s no problem at the American Comic Book Heroes exhibit.
There are so many books and places to read at The Strong. We loved adding to our reading list while we explored Reading Adventureland. I love that this museum encourages kids to read in addition to having so many play options.
Oh, and I had to take a picture of this: I had the same FISHER PRICE Little People Play Family school house set when I was a kid! It opens up and has a little bell. I loved playing with the many pieces and these little people when I was young.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit The Strong National Museum of Play with your family, you must seize it!
This is the best family museum I’ve ever been to, and it offers special exhibits and programs throughout the year.
It’s perfect for kids and adults of all ages because there is something for everyone. I saw many families with babies and toddlers enjoying Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden (which we explored for a small additional fee) as well as lots of adults loving the room full of pinball machines.
After we explored the museum for a few of hours, we had lunch at the Skyliner Diner before we spent several more hours in the museum.
There’s also a food court and a museum shop with many interesting toys. We left with a night light that projects stars onto the ceiling of Landon’s bedroom.
Landon is already talking about his next visit. Next time we’re near Rochester, NY we’ll definitely visit The Strong again!
The Strong National Museum of Play — One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607 | 585-263-2700
The Strong museum is open 362 days a year.
Museum Hours:
- Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
General Museum Admission: Age 2 and older: $16, under age 2 free.
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