Learn and Play at EdVenture: Columbia, SC

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Planning Your Trip to EdVenture: Columbia, SC

From babies to pre-teens, EdVenture Children’s Museum is sure to have something for all! Several exhibits make up the two floors of wonder and include activities ranging from science and engineering to pretend play and everything in between. Before we discuss the exhibits, let’s start with some helpful tips to get you prepared for your “edventure.” This children’s museum is closed on Tuesdays but is open every other day of the week.

Admissions and Fees to Columbia’s EdVenture

Tickets can be purchased at the museum or online before you go for $13.00/person (children under 2 are free). Yearly memberships can also be purchased with various price ranges and package deals. EdVenture has a strong belief that EVERY child should have the opportunity to engage in educational fun within the museum. Because of this, they offer reduced admission of $3 per visitor for those receiving income-based food assistance benefits of SNAP, TANF, or WIC.

Once tickets are purchased, you can leave and re-enter the museum throughout the same day for no extra fees. 

Camps, Classes, and Regular Events at EdVenture

EdVenture offers several extra programs throughout the week and during different seasons. Check out EdVenture’s weekly schedule for times, dates and all other pertinent information. *Please check with the front desk upon arrival to see what fun activities are scheduled for the day!

• Spring Break & Summer Camp
  • Ages 4-10
  • Visit EdVenture Camps online for pricing and to register
• “Toddler Time”
  • Story and themed craft
  • Included with admission/membership
• “Storytime Station”
  • Come join us for story time and discussion afterward
  • Each session of story time features a special children’s book, often aligned with holidays, seasons, and other special occasions
  • Located on the 1st floor in the Richland Library exhibit
• “Tinker Tech”
  • Ages 4+
  • Build, create, craft course overseen by a member of Edventure’s Curiosity Crew
  • Located on the 2nd floor in the engineering/crafting area
• “Biolab”
  • Ages 4+
  • Explore various biology themes in a fun a creative way
  • Located on the 1st floor
• “Cooking Lab”
  • Ages 4+
  • Hands-on activities with cooking in relation to health and the body
  • Located on the 1st floor
• “A-Ha! Maker Space”
  • Design, build, and test your own parachute Experiment with different materials and see how physics and engineering help your parachute take flight.
  • Learn physics and engineering by experimenting with different materials used to make your parachute
  • Create a masterpiece with recycled materials
  • Located on the 2nd floor
• Tesla Theater
  • Explore the Musical Tesla Coil
  • Learn about the father of electricity, Nikola Tesla, and his Alternating Current (AC) invention
  • Showtimes are Friday, Saturday and Sunday (*Inquire about times and information at the front desk)
  • Located on the 3rd floor
• A full monthly calendar can be found at edventure.org! 

EdVenture Children’s Museum Exhibits

More than nine different areas with endless amounts of learning and exploration can be found at EdVenture. We will walk you through each level of the museum and let you know what to expect as you wander around with your kids! 

On the main level of EdVenture you’ll find the majority of the museum’s exhibits.  

Eddie!

You can’t miss him, he’s the world’s largest child measuring in at over 40 feet tall with a heart weighing over 500 pounds! Eddie is his name, and he will help teach your children all about body organs and their functions!

You can climb up a set of stairs that will take you into his stomach, intestines, heart, and brain. Eddie is the perfect combination of fun and education as his insides are set up like a jungle gym, but with realistic organs – You can hear his beating heart, the electricity inside of his brain as well as his stomach growling when you listen carefully.

As you make your way up, take a tunnel slide back down to his large shoes (which are each about the size of a car, might I add), and start your exploration again! I love that Eddie opens up a door for parents and caregivers to talk to and teach their children about the wonderful things our bodies can do at such an age-appropriate level. 

In May 2023, EdVenture introduced a new companion for Eddie—a firefly! This new addition, replaced Eddie’s original companion, a dragonfly known as “Stink.” The new firefly, crafted by artist Meaghan Westfall, is named “J,” in honor of fallen Irmo Fire District firefighter James Muller. 

MedVenture

Wags & Whiskers

Get ready to put your children’s pet care abilities to the test! In this area, they will be able to care for a variety of different animals with x-rays, grooming and veterinary tools, and basic pet care needs. Wags & Whiskers teaches your child how to care for the health of their pets through interactive play.

Biolab at EdVenture

Let your child explore their inner scientist in the Biolab, designed to teach kids about biomedical science in a fun way! With teaching laboratories, this exhibit and programming is geared toward kids ages 5 – 14 to spark a lifelong interest in the biomedical field. *Be sure to check with the front desk upon arrival for lab times facilitated by a member of the Curiosity Crew.

Cooking Lab at EdVenture

Enjoy cooking and preparing real food in the Cooking Lab, all while learning about the body, how nutrition is important, and tie all the information together with what is taught in the Biolab.

The Great Outdoors

The outdoor area at EdVenture complements the indoor exhibits, offering both educational and fun activities through outdoor play. The Great Outdoors is made up of several areas: water play, gem mining, prop plane and a tricycle pathway. Be mindful, that your kids may get pretty wet in the water play area, so an extra shirt or full change of clothes isn’t a bad idea! Come play, cool off, climb, ride, mine or just come to learn!

Fly an Airplane on the Second Floor of EdVenture 

The second level of the museum is home to all things science, engineering, and technology, but with a closed-off room dedicated to the tiniest explorers. 

Flight

• Boeing 777 Flight Simulators
  • Three separate Boeing 777 flight simulators offer kids the opportunity to pilot a virtual flight
• Boeing 747 Engine Cowling
  • A massive engine cowling serves as an entry point to the exhibit, providing a tactile experience of aircraft components.
• Paper Airplane Station
  • Children can create, launch and test their own paper airplanes
• Wind Tunnel
  • Kids can experience principles of lift and air flow in this small wind tunnel
• KUKA Robot
  • Your child can use an aircraft robotic arm to help understand the properties of automation and engineering
• Learning Theater
  • Come here to learn about the science behind flight with the use of real airplane fuselage sides and seats

Draw Alive

At this exhibit, children can help bring their drawings to life! First, your child will select a coloring sheet template (dinosaurs, planes, farm animals, etc). Next, they will color their sheet using markers provided. After the sheet has been colored, the drawing is placed under a scanner and within seconds, your child’s colored sheet will appear on the screen. Lastly, watch as your child’s animal or object come to life with animation and technology.

A-ha! Masterspace

In this area, your children will be able to create and build. In the “Open Make” center, there are several recycled materials where your kids can cut, glue, fold and color their own creations. There are also several different styles of blocks that can be found – magnetic, large Legos, KAPLA blocks, waffle blocks, etc. that will put your child’s problem-solving and engineering skills to the test!

This part of the museum is best suited for children 5-10 years old, however, with extra assistance, younger children might also be able to engage in some of the play (especially with the building blocks). 

My Backyard

Strictly reserved for children 3 years old and younger, here you will find tons of toddler and baby-safe play! There is a treehouse-styled jungle gym, a boat where kiddos can dress up in rain boots and large yellow jackets, puzzles, soft play mats, a ball pit, and several ways to meet the sensory needs of your tots!

As mentioned before, there is also a nursing area and large, family-style restroom within. 

Eddie’s Eco-Garden

The eco garden is an immersive outdoor plant and garden exhibit that incorporates hands-on learning with ecological responsibility. The eco garden features a variety of edible plants, such as spearmint, allowing children to taste, smell and touch. And don’t blink or you might just miss the magical fairy garden!

Celebration Circle

This area was created to honor and celebrate pediatric patients and their families. The Celebration Circle boasts a bell and memory wall, where patients can celebrate milestones in their health journey.

Birthdays at EdVenture

Looking for the perfect place to host a birthday party? You might want to check out the EdVenture party room! The birthday packages come with several incentives including all-day admission for 35 guests, discounts in the gift shop, downloadable party invitations, 120-minute private party, and more! You can visit the EdVenture Birthday page to check for pricing, available dates and more!

Visit EdVenture: Columbia, SC

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