See the Sea at Nauticus
Kids who love history and maritime adventures will thoroughly enjoy spending the day exploring Nauticus. Home of the Battleship Wisconsin, you can step aboard and explore the ship via a self-guided tour. Nauticus also features a museum with numerous permanent and changing exhibits.
If you want to get closer to the sea life, head to Horseshoe Crab Cove to touch exotic sea creatures or watch bamboo sharks, coral catsharks, epaulette sharks, and more at the museum’s Shark Experience exhibit. You can also learn more about the animals and plants that call the Chesapeake Bay home at the Living Seashore exhibit.
Kids can also test their skills controlling a 9-foot-long robotic arm while trying to collect samples off the seabed. If you’re looking for a thrill, head to the SOS Station to see NOAA’s “Science On A Sphere” and step inside the Hurricane Simulator to experience hurricane force winds.
Get Creative at Chrysler Museum of Art
Spend the day at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Considered by many to be one of the top museums in the country, it’s home to numerous permanent and traveling exhibits, including one of the world’s largest collections of blown glass.
The museum also hosts Tickle My Ears the first Thursday of every month. Here, kids can listen to stories while looking at art and then head to the Diamonstein Education Workshop for artistic, hands-on fun. During the summer, kids can join in on arts and crafts every Friday morning and create their own masterpieces. Held three times a year, Family Day is centered around an artsy theme and welcomes everyone to join in on crafts, hear stories, and watch performances.
Bounce Around at Bounce House
When it’s time for the kids to burn off some serious energy, plan a few hours at Bounce House. The facility covers 15,000 square feet, and kids can jump on 11 different inflatables, test their skills on the climbing wall, navigate tunnels and slides, and bounce on trampolines. For the ultimate birthday party, you can even rent out Bounce House and have Mario or Luigi stop by to wish your child a happy birthday. For parents on a budget, there are weekly specials to help save money on open jump times.
Next time the kids are home and the weather report says there are rainstorms on the horizon, don’t panic! Load up the family and explore the many activities and exhibits that make Norfolk such an interesting place. Not only will the kids learn a thing or two about their town’s history and surroundings, but they’ll also have a blast while doing so.
Image via Pixabay
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