You don’t always know what you’re in for when you take your kids to a museum. So, when we were on our way to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, we wondered: Will it be worth the effort? Will the kids show resistance? Will we just end up dodging staff who are shushing our rowdy children?
I mean, maybe your kids are saints in these environments, but mine have yet to reach that celestial status, so we tend to hold our breath a bit as we pull up our bootstraps and head for the entrances of these types of establishments.
And you know what? Other than a meltdown at the end of our tour from our littlest, we had a lot of fun at the Museum of Flight. There were some parts of the museum that were set up for the kids to play and explore and then others – like the World War exhibits – where they needed to slow down and show a little more restraint out of respect for the material they were interacting with.
The Airplanes at the Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight is basically an aviator aficionado’s paradise. But, if you are like me & my kids and know nothing about the history of aviation, you will enjoy it too. The sheer number of airplanes on display is mind blowing. So many different styles and eras are included. It’s cool to see how aviation has evolved over time!
The exhibits are hands on and easy to understand for those of us not in the know.
Hop into the cock pit and pretend for a minute that you are in charge of the airplane!
Take a look at this bad boy! The Blackbird aka the Mother Ship. The M-21 is a variant of the A-12, which is the earliest Blackbird type. Built for a CIA, this aircraft – the M-21 – carried unpiloted drones to gather intelligence. I mean, really, this is a thing of beauty!
Museum of Flight for Kids
Like many museums, the Museum of Flight is an educational goldmine. They even have an entire portion of the space dedicated to children. Hands on displays and simulators are just a couple of things that the kids enjoyed while we were there. Little flyers can test their piloting abilities and strap in for a hang gliding simulation.
C’mon! That’s cool.
Museum of Flight WWI & WWII Wings
With a decidedly somber feel, these exhibits are likely to impact you. It is just so insane the price people paid and the amount of people that died in those wars.
If you have little ones, you will want to gauge when the best time is to stop in to these wings. We miscalculated, and by the time we got around to it, our little one was in melt down mode.
It’s a bummer because it is here that you can explore the aircraft, interactive exhibits and history of “the war to end all wars.” And learn what it took to be a fighter pilot and the tactics used during the wars. My favorite, although I was hurried, were the personal stories of the fallen heroes from around the world.
The Space Exhibit at the Museum of Flight
We especially enjoyed the space exhibit. It was fascinating to learn how things have changed for astronauts over the last few decades. From what they eat to what they wear. The food pouches, suits, and stories really gave us a feel for what it is like for them.
I liked the Museum of Flight so much, I’d like to go back. Actually, it would make for a great date with my man. That way we could really slow down and read more of the history and take it all in without the chili beans underfoot!
While there is plenty to do for younger kids, if you are looking to benefit from all that the museum has to offer it would be best if your kids were a little older. Just keeping it real!
Let me know if you decide to go yourself. I’d love to hear what you thought! Also, don’t forget to flash your military card or AAA card for a 10% discount when you go. 🙂
Our friend had been telling us about the Franklin Falls hike for a long time and when we finally had the chance to get there we didn’t want to leave — if you are anywhere near the Seattle area, you should definitely check it out. It’s a really special place.
The boys enjoyed traversing over big boulders and getting their feet (and shoes) wet in the river. But don’t worry if you have smaller children – the trail itself doesn’t require these feats of bravery!
The trail is the perfect distance for kids and other than a bit of a tricky climb if you want to go down into the falls, it’s a very easy trek. If you are up for a little extra challenge, the hike down to the falls is worth the effort. We had fun splashing around in the water and getting close to the falls.
Isn’t it beautiful?
