Sparks Will Fly

The Calgary Science Centre isn’t new to us, but the Telus Spark is.

The beautiful, new Telus Spark is now open, and we toured the facility with an eye for the preschool and primary-school moms. Here’s our report.

It’s more than twice the size of the old facility and the glass, metal and concrete architectural wonder is flooded with light and filled with wonder.

The Creative Kids Museum is the place to be if your children are under the age of six. This high-ceilinged, art-adorned room has seating for moms and toddlers (there is a nursing room on site as well), a space with supported art and craft projects, and a play structure equipped with air cannons to fire at second-story targets in the Atrium.

Bathrooms (note: no kid-sized toilets) are located inside the one-room museum. The view is wide open, with the exception of the theatre in the back corner and the climbing wall balanced in the centre of the room. There’s even a water feature. We strongly suggest bringing a change of clothes for your preschooler, who will most certainly get wet.

For children in grade one and up, there are many options outside the Creative Kids Museum. We particularly liked the Rain DJ and the 3D landscape inside the Earth & Sky exhibit, and the compatibility tester and shadow theatre in the Being Human exhibit. Most interactive displays are not actually named, giving the children an opportunity to create their own nicknames. The second-floor Being Human exhibit also includes several displays dedicated to human sexuality and reproduction for older children.

In case all the action sparks an appetite, the cafe is located on the second floor and offers up the regular burgers, fries and hot dogs, as well as made-on-site sandwiches ($4.99) and fruit cups. Note that the only table space at Spark is located inside the cafe.

Good to know:

• Leave your stroller in the car and request a free loaner when you purchase your tickets.
• Lockers are available for $1 rental as well and are located just off the lobby.
• An adult daily pass is $19.95.
• Birthday party packages are coming next year with bookings getting underway in January.

Winter’s only a few weeks away, and we look forward to sitting in front of a floor-to-ceiling south window when the temperature drops and winter sun glistens off the snow, while the kids expand their minds with the help of knowledgeable staff and displays at our city’s newest attraction.

What a spark of genius. Tested by Heather J., Calgary

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