Denver Museum of Nature and Science

A model of a cave of Mexico that is full of stalactites.

 

When we were in Denver a few weekends ago, we were able to go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  It was a fun visit with lots to see. We missed a few spots so we will have plenty to see when we return someday.  Joseph didn't come on the trip with us. He was busy playing soccer with his team in Montrose.

 

Checking out the exhibit of "hide and seek" animals.  They are trying to spot the camouflaged animals.

Courtney really liked this exhibit.

Blue Morpho Butterfly. 

There was a Diego episode that the boys used to watch about this butterfly.  I remember it well, they don't:)

Playing with Mars' dirt was a very exciting activity.

 

Oh no!  A dinosaur is going to eat us!

Alex grew a giant T-rex tooth!

Upstairs there were A LOT of these dioramas.  The animals in them were interesting, but have been at the museum a LONG time.  The girls liked them to begin with, but lost interest. Alex LOVED them and we had to look at every one. He was especially upset when we came to a display that housed extinct animals.  He is my wildlife lover. 

Nile Crocodile

Courtney poses on the llamas?

Alex takes a ride.

 

Alex tried to get the girls to set up their "llamas?" so they looked like the ones in the picture.

There was an amazing exhibit of figures made from carved gemstones. Each piece included the gems that were used to create the pieces. It was fascinating to see what the artist (a Russian) had done with the gemstones.

We ended our long visit to the museum in the Discovery area.  It was a perfect spot to wrap everything up. The kids were able to play and try everything out.  Grace enjoyed building a path for the ball to travel down the wall.

Courtney and Grace check out the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

The girls enjoyed "digging" for dinosaur bones.  The "sand" was old tires and cleaned up very nicely.

I think we built and re-built this arch 40 times.  It was a good lesson on keystones.

The vacuum experiment was a huge hit.  The kids loved watching the items expand and contract as the guide added and removed air. He put a balloon and marshmallow cookies in the chamber and they expanded and returned to shape. They especially loved the wiffle ball filled with shaving cream.  It grew like snakes out of the holes and then collapsed.  I evidently enjoyed it as well!

 

Alex rides the wolves outside the museum.

Courtney goes for a ride.

Grace and Courtney on the wolves.