I had read something about the kids museum “Imaginosity” in Sandyford in a newspaper article at some point and filed it at the back of my mind in the “things to do” section. The thought of an interactive museum for children excited me with regard to its possibilities quite a bit more I expect than it did the kids when we told them, but I guess that is how these things work. They have to be able to attract the parent’s attention first otherwise no children would ever be brought along.
Promises of “fun” and “creativity” didn’t disappoint and we spent many hours letting the nippers run around on a voyage of discovery. The one thing that did put me off on their website was the fact that there is a maximum stay of 2 hours when the place is busy. On the Saturday morning we arrived it was quiet, so we were told the time limitation didn’t apply on that occasion. However, in retrospect two hours seems like it would be enough time for the kids to get the best out of the place. But if it is truly busy I imagine there would be quite a wait to see and use things as you went around.
Favourites with the girls were the supermarket and a fabulous large doll house that I immediately began to take pictures of with my phone, planning how I could get it built into my daughter’s bedroom when we got home – dream on! I kept thinking how much I would have wanted one of these at her age – there it was again – transference of my ideas and wants onto darling daughter! She was quite happy to move on without a backward glance when the lure of a wall puzzle was dangled! The two older kids got great mileage out of the dressing up area that had loads of different outfits and props to keep them busy. The climbing frame that runs through the middle of the museum was another draw, but it was harder for the shortest of our party to make it right to the top without some difficulty.
The roof-top garden, only open weather-permitting, was another hit. Although the loud snoring emanating from a dark little house in the centre of the garden made the eldest ones rather nervous until they realised it was only a friendly old badger having a nap. Funnily, the youngest ran in without a thought to see what was going on – but that’s just her – full of courage and ready to take on anything!
A short rest for us as we caught a few minutes to sit down and grab (a rather expensive for what it was) lunch for us all. At least here there is a decent selection of food on the kids menu and if your kids are old enough you are happy to keep an eye on them while you sip your coffee from the café and they continue to explore.
Some sections were geared towards kids a bit older than ours (3 & 4 yrs) but only rightly so if it is to appeal to a range of ages. They also run other workshops during the day that are announced a couple of minutes before commencement and places are filled on a first come, first served basis. Our lot made paper crocodiles that they really enjoyed making, especially as the process involved gloriously sticky glue and usually forbidden scissors!
Just to mention, there are two baby-only areas, so at least little ones have a haven from the over-excited madness as the bigger ones discover one new thing after another. Or at least they are supposed to be a safe place for babies – we found our two girls who had seemingly disappeared, tucked away into the baby’s area having a nose about. Apologies to all babies’ parents on that day from the two mothers who I am sure you discussed amongst yourselves as having no control over their children!
There is a shop full of goodies on the bottom floor, which the gang spotted on the way up, but we were luckily able to steer them away from on the way down. Thank you Imaginosity for not making the exit a walk-through shop which is sometimes the case at these places and ultimately an unfair way to elicit cash from parents who are just thinking about getting home to a cup of tea!
Outside in The Plaza at Beacon South Quarter there are many cafes if you fancy waiting until you are finished in the museum to eat. There is also a pretty decent Dunnes Stores if you feel like a browse before home. Then it is back down the moving walkway to the car. This provided some of the best fun of the day with its steep gradient proving a very unsteady surface for the children to stand on. All 3 of them collapsed in a heap at one stage much to the amusement of their mothers – we roared with laughter as we watched the whole thing happen in slow motion a little too far out of our reach for us to have any control. The kids were not hurt and we are not bad mothers – it was just too funny for words and a “you had to have been there” kind of occasion. Word of warning to all – hold on tight to smaller children!
For a day out that stimulates their imagination, book Imaginosity online at www.imaginosity.ie. Prices as April 2009 – Adults and Children 3+ €8.50, Toddler €6.50, Baby’s + 6 months €2. Tickets are non-refundable.
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Tags: attractions, beacon south quarter, children's museum, dublin, family days out, fun, imaginosity, kids, sandyford
January 28, 2010 at 12:51 pm |
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