All aboard train lovers, the newest traveling exhibit has at Lansing’s Impression 5 Science Center. The immersive exhibit features Thomas & Friends with plenty of hands-on activities as well as opportunities for children (and adults) to learn through play. Visitors can climb into Thomas’ cab, explore the Island of Sodor, load Percy up with coal and explore an over-sized Thomas Wooden Railway train table! Lansing Impression 5 Science Center provided us with free admission so we could share our experience with you.
More about the Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Exhibit
Thomas the Tank Engine
If you have a Thomas fan in your home, then they are going to flip when they see this amazing train car they can explore. Not only is it the perfect spot for a photo op, but there are levers, buttons and movable parts to investigate. Your little engineer can pretend to drive Thomas all around the Island of Sodor.
Percy the Little Green Engine
While visiting Percy, children can collaborate to fix his wobbly wheel. Children can experiment by trying to find out the perfect combination of wheels, rods and bolts that will make the wheels work properly. On the reverse side, guests can load up Percy’s coal box and fill his tank with water from the nearby water tower.
Dramatic Play on the Island of Sodor
Visitor’s can explore the train station at the Island of Sodor which includes a ticket booth where friends can pretend to sell as well as buy train tickets. They may also load up the luggage, livestock and freight into the coaches and train cars, then pretend to set off to faraway places.
Thomas Wooden Railway Table
The over-sized Thomas Wooden Railway train table is amazing. With plenty of trains, little engineers can pretend to travel about the Island of Sodor. Some of the destination include: Tidmouth Sheds, Brendam Docks and the also Sodor Search & Rescue Station.
Tot Spot and Coloring
Even the youngest of Thomas fans can get in on the fun in the toddler circle. For those that love to color, there are also several pages as well as crayons available for use here.
Dive Into the History of Thomas & Friends
Parents and older Thomas fans will love to explore the Thomas & Friends retrospective. Guests will find model engines from the original live action series produced in London, copies of the original drawings as well as manuscripts from the Rev. W. Awdry, the creator of Thomas & Friends. There is also a collection of memorabilia documenting the history and evolution of Thomas & Friends through books, television, and toys.
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Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Location, Times, and Admission:
Location:
Impression 5 Science Center
200 Museum Drive
Lansing, MI 48933
Dates/Times:
Now until January 9, 2021
Thursday through Sunday hours are from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm.
Impression 5 Science Center is closed Monday through Wednesday
Cost:
FREE with Museum Admission
Admission Fees:
$8.50: Adults, Children 2 and older
$7.00: Seniors, Military members (and immediate family)
FREE: Members, birth until age 1.
$2.00: Museums for All (up to 6 guests with valid ID and EBT, medicaid, or WIC card)
Reciprocal Admission:
FREE: ASTC Travel Passport 90+ miles
50% OFF: ASTC Travel Passport under 90 miles
50% OFF: ACM Reciprocal Network (up to 6 guests)
Check out some other great places to visit while you are in Lansing or read more about Impression 5 Science Center.
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Amber is the proud Homeschooling mother to four beautiful children, Damian (24), Rosaleigh (10), Carlyn (7), Naomi (4), and a wife to her loving husband, Chancellor. Her family also includes three cats.
She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy.