New Museum of Curiosity

  May 10, 2014, 3:30 pm

By Jennifer Klingonsmith

Have you ever been inside a tornado? Climbed inside a prop plane? Been inside a monkey's head? You, (or better yet, your kids) can do all these things and more at Thanksgiving Point's latest venue: The Museum of Natural Curiosity (MONC).

Opening on May 15th, this 45,000 square-foot attraction is sure to be a hit with families during the upcoming summer break. The museum is divided into five main areas: Water Works, Rainforest, Kidopolis, Discovery Gardens (including an Archimedes playground), and a traveling exhibit area. In Water Works, children experience water, wind, and earth movement. Waterproof outerwear allows patrons to get wet, but stay dry enough to explore the rest of the museum. In Rainforest, families can explore the rainforest canopy on a large play structure, crawl inside a 45-foot tall monkey head, and experience dozens of other sensory activities. For an additional fee, brave attendees can even complete a ropes course high in the MONC's rafters. Kidopolis is a kid-sized town where kids can put on a play, create music, run a bank, and play with bubbles. There are hidden passages and hands-on experiences galore.

In the three areas listed above, there was a conscientious effort to give children of all ages an area of appropriate play. In Water Works, for example, babies can sit safely in a splash table and play in small fountains of water to their heart's content. In Rainforest, older kids can climb through multiple levels of trampoline nets, bridges and slides. The ropes course will attract the old and young alike. Discovery Gardens has existed for many years, but will now become a part of the MONC. It will also include an innovative playground.Scott, age 9, was a recent test patron and states, "I liked climbing through the trampoline nets and sitting in the plane—that was so cool. I could play there forever!" Emily, age 12, tried the rope course. "It was scary at first, but then I liked it. You really have to trust the harness."