Toledo Imagination Station Video (2 of 2)

The kids loved this screen that captured their motions.

Everyone lined up to take a turn shooting a tennis ball over 20 feet in the air.  Zaya launches a good one.  Please excuse the lack of focus at the end.

Toledo Imagination Station Videos (1 of 2)

After the girls built the Arch, Makenna wanted to destroy it.

The kids had a hard time figuring which way to turn the propellors (even with a little instruction from mom). The boats kept going backwards. Here Madi finally figured out the right way.  I love the expression on her face when she's sees it work!

Toledo Imagination Station

Back in April, I decided to take the kids to the Toledo Imagination Station.  We were headed to Cleveland for the weekend to celebrate my Dad's 65th birthday (by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!), so I left a day early and we spent Friday with some friends from Ohio.

This is by far the best children's museum we've been to.  This post only shows a portion of the activities they had available.  We liked it so much we bought a year membership!  I'd love to take the kids back for another visit, but it's also good at hundreds of other museums.  Definitely think we'll get our money's worth.

This is fair warning that this post is CHUCKED FULL of pictures.  If I can easily post them, I'll try to post a couple videos soon.

Tug-of-war, boys vs. girls.  It's point was to teach leverage.  Notice location of ropes on yellow post.



Neither of our kids did this, but you could seriously ride a bike on this high wire!! Unbelievable.



Special Exhibit:  EGGstreme Science

It took 4-5 of us to build this.

Tada!

This machine let you choose how much sugar, oil and salt you thought was in a food.  Then you could push a button to crush that food item and see the correct answer.

This experiment showed you how fast sugar was absorbed vs how slowly flour was absorbed, and they likened it to food being changed into energy in your body and how to make healthy food choices!

Just. Plain. Hilarious.  Your picture was taken in a photo booth and they aged your photo according to how you answered questions about weight, exercise and eating habits.

Zaya trying Tug-of-War by himself.

Balls were inserted at an entry point, automatically sorted and then dumped out when a button was pushed.

The water section is always a favorite!

Can you find Isaiah in the kiddie section?

It was unbelievable what they had to play with in the little kids' section.

Isaiah's driving the ambulance after he secured the baby!

Isaiah working the Admissions Department.  He was hilarious talking on the intercom.

The kids always enjoy the grocery section.

Group photo of the Lott and Davis kids. 
I won't tell you how we went outside to take pics and ended up having to call the front desk since we got locked out! O_o

This mural was made with gumballs!

Makenna was in her glory playing with the robotic arm.  She's very analytical.

Madi's on the green screen.
(She's on the TV!)

Sport's Anchor: Isaiah Lott

The largest exhibit was Mindbender Mansion.  Puzzles had to be solved in each section: Kitchen, Library, etc.

One puzzle was to fill these trays with food before they went too far down the conveyor belt before time ran out.

Then clues were entered here which gave you a code.

Code was entered here.

To print out a certificate that you completed the exhibit.
(Zaya pictured here is ski hat.)

This was a spelling game.  The screen in front of you would show a clue (ie, the longest river in Africa).  You had to step on the correct letters to spell the word.  Points were awarded and you could beat the high score.

It was a long day driving from PA to Toledo and then to Cleveland, but it was well worth it and a fun time with friends!

Giant Eagle Field Trip

Tuesday, we participated in a homeschool field trip to an area Giant Eagle.  I'd have to say it was one of the most funnest (just kidding) field trips we've been on!

Our hostess, Shari, was a delight.  We had numerous tastings.  AND it was very hands-on for the kids!



Our first task . . . browse the produce department, taking note of what we see.

Everyone was asked to name a fruit or vegetable they saw while walking through the produce department.



Shari talked about different fruits and veggies . . . colors, shapes, tart, sweet, vitamins, minerals, and ways to prepare them!  I even learned a few things.  Did you know kiwi has more Vitamin C than an orange?

She also passed around a fruit tray multiple times -- grapes, apples, pears, strawberries and a blood orange!



Then it was over to the Hot Foods Department where everyone received a piece of pizza!

 

In the Bakery Department, we learned about the bread oven -- how it moves around like a carosel, how steam makes the outside crunchy and how they use cornmeal to keep the bread from sticking!



Back in the cooler, we saw where they keep bananas, potatoes and onions and where they wash and package produce.  Shari asked the kids to help transfer their energy to her to help cut the fresh pineapple we all got to enjoy! CHOP!



We walked to into the deep freeze then into the back of the store where we were shown how they recycle cardboard and plastics.  Then over to the deli (where we sampled some cheese) and through many other parts of the store on our way up to the registers.



After a brief discussion on UPCs, everyone had a turn to scan groceries . . .

and bag them!

In addition to all the yummy foods we tasted at the store, everyone took home a treat bag with a banana, apple, cheese stick and cookie!

All in all, it was a great field trip!  One I'm sure they'll not soon forget.

 (Makenna did not join us because she was behind in her school work.  That is why she is not pictured.)

Phipps Conservatory (Pittsburgh)

I don't know when I'll have time to truly post on our field trip to the Phipps Conservatory today, but I could not pass up sharing a few pictures of the beauty we saw there.  ENJOY!