The Works Museum: where kids explore how things work

The Works is an interactive museum in Bloomington, Minn. that makes learning about science and engineering interesting, understandable and fun. We had a blast there with our preschoolers!

My hubby is an engineer, and I couldn't help thinking the entire time we were at The Works just how much fun he would have there with the kids.

I didn't know a place like this existed before we went.

K'NEX BALL MACHINE
When you first walk in, kids (and adults) can't help but be drawn to the 2-story K'Nex ball machine. This enormous kinetic sculpture was built by University of Minnesota Student and K’Nex-structure expert, Austin Granger. Unofficially it's the largest K’Nex Ball Machine in the world, at 23′ tall with more than 100,000 K’Nex pieces.

According to The Works web site:

Austin started building with K’Nex when he was four years old. In middle school he was inspired when he saw another K’Nex builder’s complex, kinetic machine. He experimented with his own structures, trying to build something similar to, or even better than, the structure that inspired him. Today, he’s still building giant kinetic sculptures while pursuing a degree in computer science and product design.

We asked Austin what advice he’d share with young visitors who want to build machines like this one. He said to start by challenging yourself to build the strongest towers, bridges and other structures you can. The frame of your machine needs to be strong in order to withstand moving parts. Once your structures are strong, work on building even higher and longer structures – bridges that span longer distances and towers that reach the ceiling. The next step – add in the kinetic pieces. It involves a lot of trial and error to learn the skills and understand how to engineer with K’Nex at this scale.

THE DESIGN LAB
We spent a lot of time upstairs in the Design Lab because of the school groups filling the lower level. We made pom-pom launchers, explored how circuits work, designed marble runs, and played with the magnetic toys.

MAIN LEVEL
There was plenty to do on the main level. Kids could change a sound board to light things up or make music - my toddler loved plugging things in and out. In the Sensor Zone, they explored how things changed when a sensor was set off or covered up.

One of the most popular things for both the toddler and the preschoolers were the foam blocks which they used to build structures. Some of the world's most amazing buildings are hung up on the walls in this area to inspire would-be builders.

Yep, The Works Museum is a place we'll be sure to return to again and again.

IF YOU GO
- Check the web site for scheduled groups before you go so you know whether the place will be packed or not.
- If there is a big group there, head upstairs to the Design Lab for some quieter time.
- Admission is $8 per person for adults and children. Children two and under are free, as are members.

LOCATION
9740 Grand Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 888-4262
http://www.theworks.org/

HOURS

• Monday - 10 am - 2 pm
• Tuesday - closed
• Wednesday - closed
• Thursday - 10 am - 2 pm
• Friday - 10 am - 5 pm
• Saturday - 10 am - 5 pm
• Sunday - 12 pm - 5 pm