Interactive Exhibits
Families love the interactive exhibits at Sandcastles!
In 2011 - in the new, permanent Sandcastles - you will recognize many exhibits, but they have been changed to fit our new location. Our Neighborhood features a new grocery store, ice cream shop, bank, pizza place, and post office. Grandpa's Farm is much the same with the large barn, with a silo and conveyor belt, farm truck, Buttercup (the milkable cow), chickens and eggs, and tractors. The Badger PlayShip offers the chance to be the captain, drive a car onto and off the ship, and explore the nooks and crannies. An old favorite, the sailboat, is docked next to the Badger. Our big interactive Michigan Treehouse and the Vet Center are back, too! We have a great new stage and some new sound effects. The Pere Marquette Water Table and the bubble table are located next to one another. There is a cozy reading nook for quiet time, and the marble run will be set up in its own location.
New Exhibits in 2011...
Wishing Well Vortex and Electronic SMART Table
Throw a coin in the wishing well and watch it make its way through the vortex. The SMART Table will offer children a chance to work together on projects and challenges electronically.
Returning Exhibits in 2011...Many will look different this year.
Grandpa's Farm
Truck
Grandpa's truck is fun to drive, and you can load it with corn from the silo, vegetables from the garden - or your friends!
Planting Gardens
Cultivate or pull the beets, onions, and carrots; pick tomatoes, beans, and corn. Learn how these vegetables grow.
Buttercup the Cow
Buttercup, the cow on Grandpa's farm, is ready for you to milk - just like Grandpa used to do when he was a boy.
Badger PlayShip
Be the captain - check the instruments, ring the bell, and steer the ship. Be a passenger and drive your car below deck. Stay with your "pet" below deck or go up on deck to see what's going on all over the museum. Explore the nooks around the ship.
Pere Marquette River water table
Float logs down the river, let down the bridge, build a dam, sail a boat - and discover how water flows.
Bank
You can be the banker who cashes checks and hands out money or the customer who writes the checks and spends the money!
Mirror
Long skinny body? Two heads? You will be surprised to see the "new you" in our Fun Mirror!
Grocery Store
Gather your groceries and place them in a hand held basket or child sized grocery cart! Be the clerk making the sale! Learn about good health at the Good Nutrition Exhibit.
Ice Cream Parlor
Serve up ice cream or take the orders. Learn about nutrition, menus and pricing.
Post Office
Write a letter and deliver it to one of the color coded mailboxes!
Bubbles Galore
Create giant bubbles at our new bubble table!
Rook the Bearded Dragon Lizard
Everyone loves Rook! Try to be at Sandcastles when Rook is chasing after his lunch, live crickets, that he is given once per week.
Piano
Using our color coded piano keys and sheet music, play a variety of songs on the piano.
Sand Box
Enjoy the feel of Lake Michigan sand! Measure and compare with the tools provided.
Art Center
Paint a picture, create with pipe cleaners and foam, or create your own masterpiece with a variety of our art supplies. Hang it up to dry and take it home.
Theater Stage and Dressing Room
Dress up, sing, dance or act out your favorite story on center stage.
Infant Center
This is a safe place for non walking children. It is padded and filled with interesting things to see and touch.
Discovery Bins
Choose from over 20 Discovery Bins, each containing a themed activity with activity card: Marble Run, Animal Fur, Magnets, Magna-Tiles, Snakes, Vet Kit, Be an Artist, Animal Skulls, Bugs, Read Aloud Books, etc.
