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The Thinkery

September 24, 2017 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

The Thinkery

Thinkery in Austin, Texas
Thinkery in Austin, Texas



If you and your child enjoy S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) activities or you simply want fun hands-on activities, the Thinkery, in Austin, is the place for you!

Thinkery
A fun children’s museum, in Austin: The Thinkery!

We recently took our first trip to the Thinkery, with a three year old and a one year old in tow. Everyone had a wonderful time.

One of the first things through the door was a train table. This boy has trains and track at home but NOT on a table. This was so exciting to him. We had a hard time convincing him to leave the table and go see all the other fun things the Thinkery had.

Train Table at the Thinkery
Train Table at the Thinkery
Innovators’ Workshop

The next area we came to was the Innovators’ Workshop. Within this exhibit was Build Landscape. There were all kinds of wheels, pulleys, etc., you could build with. Keagan was still a little upset at us for pulling him away from the trains so he didn’t stop to build. That’s okay, that gives us something to do on another trip to the Thinkery.

Build Landscape at the Thinkery
Build Landscape at the Thinkery

Here were some other gears and construction activities to explore.

Gears to explore at the Thinkery
Gears to explore at the Thinkery

The one year old and mommy enjoyed the magnetic wall with the “magic” wooden pieces. Keagan finally came over and joined them.

Magnetic wall at the Thinkery.
Magnetic wall at the Thinkery.

Keagan did enjoy the opportunity to paint and squeegee a window. He even asked to go back to this area later in the day.

Painting at the Thinkery, in Austin.
Painting at the Thinkery, in Austin.

All of us enjoyed the Micro Eye. There were several microscopes with plenty of interesting items to examine. The pictures were projected on the wall so we could all enjoy them. Daddy even showed Keagan how to put his hand under the microscope and examine his own skin.

Micro Eye at the Thinkery
Examining things under a microscope.
Spark Shop

The next area, I believe, was Amaya’s favorite. This area is called the Spark Shop and is a place where children can explore the concepts of aerodynamics. She spent a long time placing ping pong balls in the wall and watching them disappear.

Flow wall at the Thinkery.
Flow wall at the Thinkery.

Amaya also loved the beach balls floating on air. I was actually surprised at how coordinated she was at grabbing the floating ball off the column of air. The young man working in the area was very sweet and helpful. He got a stool for Amaya and turned the apparatus so that the ball floated a little closer to her. She spent a lot of time here too.

Floating balls
Balls floating on a column of air.

Keagan loved the floating scarves. I must say that I enjoyed watching them shoot up into the air myself.

Flying Scarves
Scarves floating on air.

Daddy and Keagan were able to create their own flying machines. You took a basic body from one basket, wings and a tail from another, and then put them together. You then take them over to the special launcher, load it up and push the button. You can try to go for distance or attempt to shoot it through a hanging hoop. Keagan shot it through the hoop on the first try.

Flying Machine
Make and fly your own machine.
Light Lab

I believe the Light Lab was my daughter’s and my favorite area. She loved the Frozen Shadows. You stand against a wall and this special camera takes a “picture”. You step away and your shadow is displayed on the wall. Brittany (my adult daughter) “played” in there quite a while. She kept trying to get the kids excited about it but they weren’t nearly as interested as she was. I do have to admit, it was pretty fascinating.

Frozen Shadows
Frozen Shadows

I especially liked the over sized “Lite Brite” table and walls, in the Light Lab. My grand-daughter loved it too.

Light Lab
The Light Lab has an over-sized “Lite Brite”.
Currents

One area that looked like a lot of fun but we didn’t attempt was the Currents. It is a water play area. Although they do have big plastic smocks to put on, kids were coming out soaking wet. We decided to pass this area up for another day when we bring a change of clothes.

Currents
Currents is a fun water play area.
Kitchen Lab

We stopped by the Kitchen Lab. The adults were really interested but we couldn’t get the 3 and 1 year old to stand still long enough to listen. We were able to get a partial explanation of the food chain before the kids were on the run. That’s okay. Again, we will have something to look forward to on a future visit.

Food Chain
Visual of a food chain.
Let’s Grow

Let’s Grow was another area that both kids spent quite a lot of time at. Keagan loved “shopping” for food and then taking it to the kitchen and preparing it. He took quite a while preparing something for Mommy and Daddy while I was off playing with Amaya.

Let's Grow
Let’s Grow is an area where you can collect and “cook” food.

Although there was a special play area for babies, Amaya, at 15 months, does not see herself as a baby and spent the time playing on the mats with the big kids.

Baby Play area
Baby Play area
Story Nook

As we were winding down our visit, they were making an announcement about a storytime in the Story Nook. We decided we would catch storytime on another visit.

Story Nook
Story Nook
Our Backyard

We weren’t able to get to the outside play area because it was a rainy day. As you can tell, we have plenty of reasons to return to the Thinkery. We had a blast at the areas we encountered and there are several things that we missed and look forward to doing in the future.

Outdoor Play area
Outdoor Play area (picture courtesy of the Thinkery)

Admission prices are reasonable at $10 per person, children 0 to 23 months old are free. There is a $2 discount for military and up to five of their family members.

Have you been to the Thinkery before? I would love to hear about your visit. Maybe you were able to experience some of the areas we weren’t.

Filed Under: Articles, Attractions and Events Tagged With: Austin, Austin Texas, Children's Museum, hands on, museum, S.T.E.M., STEM, Texas, Thinkery

May Family Friendly Events for the Killeen, TX Area, 2016

April 30, 2016 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

May Family Friendly Events for the Killeen, TX Area, 2016





It’s time for the May family friendly events, for the Killeen, Texas area. I’ve found a few more activities for this month. If you know of anything that I haven’t posted please leave a message so I can add it.

May 19
Thursday

Rabbit Fest – A Copperas Cove Tradition!
This will be our first year to experience this special event. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. There is a carnival, a car show, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, carnival food (yum!), a parade and an actual Rabbit show! I can’t wait to join in the fun. Have you ever attended Rabbit Fest? What is your favorite part?
Click here to see the activities schedule: Activities Schedule
Copperas Cove City Park
1204 W Avenue B
Copperas Cove, TX 76522

May 20
Friday

Rabbit Fest – A Copperas Cove Tradition!
This will be our first year to experience this special event. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. There is a carnival, a car show, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, carnival food (yum!), a parade and an actual Rabbit show! I can’t wait to join in the fun. Have you ever attended Rabbit Fest? What is your favorite part?
Click here to see the activities schedule: Activities Schedule
Copperas Cove City Park
1204 W Avenue B
Copperas Cove, TX 76522

May 21
Saturday

Rabbit Fest – A Copperas Cove Tradition!
It’s parade day! Don’t miss out, it starts early. There will be lots of other fun things happening today, including the rabbit show.
Click here to see the activities schedule: Activities Schedule
The rabbit show isn’t on the above schedule. Click here for that info: Rabbit Show
Copperas Cove City Park
1204 W Avenue B
Copperas Cove, TX 76522

Family Friendly Events: Craft Time
Family Friendly Events: Craft Time

Free crafts for kids every Saturday at the Lakeshore Learning Store, in Austin. This Saturday your child will be able to make a fun Twist and Twirl Spinner. Lakeshore is an Educational Store that has wonderful toys and craft supplies for use at home or in the classroom.
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free

May 22
Sunday

Rabbit Fest – A Copperas Cove Tradition!
It’s the last day of Rabbit Fest but there is still a lot going on. There will be great entertainment and don’t forget the carnival rides and food.
Click here to see the activities schedule: Activities Schedule
Copperas Cove City Park
1204 W Avenue B
Copperas Cove, TX 76522

May 28
Saturday

Free crafts for kids every Saturday at the Lakeshore Learning Store, in Austin. This Saturday your child will be able to make a festive Memorial Day hat. Lakeshore is an Educational Store that has wonderful toys and craft supplies for use at home or in the classroom.
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free

 

Filed Under: Attractions and Events Tagged With: family friendly, family friendly activities, family friendly events, Fort Hood, Fort Hood Family friendly activities, Fort Hood Family Friendly events, Killeen, Killeen family friendly events, May family friendly activities, May family friendly events, Texas

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are Relocating

November 4, 2015 by Mama Carmody 18 Comments

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are Relocating

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are relocating, from Indiana, to Texas next week. I’m sorry that my posts have been erratic this year but I have had a lot going on.

Mama Carmody is Relocating: Texas Bound
Mama Carmody is Relocating: Texas Bound

My daughter and grandson came to Indiana for an extended period of time, starting this past May. My son-in-law serves in the army and has been deployed for several months. From the time my grandson was born I have tried to convince myself that I could be a long distance grandparent. I grew up in Indiana and my grandparents lived in Florida and West Virginia and I loved them dearly. I knew I could have a good relationship with my grandson, even with the distance…a lot of grandparents do. Then my daughter found out she was pregnant with my second grandchild. After spending several months with my grandson and daughter, then finding out I have a granddaughter on the way, I knew I didn’t want to be a long distant grandparent. So my husband and I have made the decision to head to Texas.

I will still be blogging, it just may take a little bit for us to get settled. As I stated in my very first post, “Learning Should Be Fun”, I have wanted to share fun learning activities and family friendly events to enjoy with your family. Now I will be able to continue with one of my original visions. I will be adding Family Friendly Events for the Killeen/Fort Hood/Austin area. I plan to continue to post the Indianapolis Family Friendly Events too, so don’t anyone give up on me.

I will also continue to add different learning activities for your family’s enjoyment. I look forward to this new adventure and am glad to have you along for the ride.

Related Posts

Learning Should Be Fun
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: granddaughter, grandparent, grandson, Indiana, Learning Should Be Fun, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, relocating, Texas

February Family Friendly Events, Killeen, Texas Area 2016

January 30, 2015 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

February Family Friendly Events for the Killeen, TX Area, 2016





The month of February is here. It’s time for more family friendly events. I love sharing things with you but since I’m new to the area, I sure could use your help. There may be some special Valentine activities happening but I haven’t found them yet. If you know of any, please let me know and I will add them to the calendar. I’m so glad you have come to join me and hope you find some fun things to do with your family.

February 20
Saturday
Family Friendly Events: Craft Time
Family Friendly Events: Craft Time

Free crafts for kids every Saturday at the Lakeshore Learning Store, in Austin. This Saturday your child will be able to create a Chore Chart Door Hanger. Lakeshore is an Educational Store that has wonderful toys and craft supplies for use at home or in the classroom.
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free

February 27
Saturday

Free crafts for kids every Saturday at the Lakeshore Learning Store, in Austin. This Saturday your child will be able to create a Funny Fish. Lakeshore is an Educational Store that has wonderful toys and craft supplies for use at home or in the classroom.
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free

 

 

Filed Under: Attractions and Events Tagged With: Austin, crafts, family crafts, family friendly, family friendly activities, family friendly events, January, January family friendly activities, January family friendly events, Killeen, Texas, Waco

March Family Friendly Events for the Killeen, TX area, 2016

February 29, 2016 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

March Family Friendly Events for the Killeen, TX area, 2016





Here come the March Family Friendly Events. It’s time for more family friendly fun. I love sharing things with you but since I’m new to the area, I sure could use your help. I bet there are some Easter Egg hunt or other activities happening this month, but I haven’t found them yet. If you know of any, please let me know and I will add them to the calendar. I’m so glad you have come to join me and hope you find some fun things to do with your family.

 

Saturday
March 26

Free crafts for kids every Saturday at the Lakeshore Learning Store, in Austin. This Saturday your child will be able to create a Cheerful Chick Basket. Lakeshore is an Educational Store that has wonderful toys and craft supplies for use at home or in the classroom.
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free

Sunday
March 27

Free Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic at the Pointe
Food, prizes and fun! I loved taking my kids to the church Easter egg hunt each year. Here is your opportunity to make memories with your little ones. It’s free and everyone is invited. Fish and french fries will be served. Festivities start at 3 P.M. at Northpointe Park.
The park is located on N. FM 116 about ½ mile past Lutheran Church Rd, on the way to Gatesville.
3:00 p.m.
Free

Filed Under: Attractions and Events Tagged With: Easter egg hunts, family friendly activities, family friendly events, free crafts, Killeen, March, March Family Friendly Activities, March family frienly events, Texas

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