Gilbert Children's Museum

Last year we decided to buy a membership to the Gilbert Children's Museum because it gets you into OMSI and the Air Museum as well. I've used it mostly to take the littles to the Science Playground at OMSI, but I was determined to make a stop at the children's museum in Salem at least once over the summer! In August we got the chance to go on our way to the coast and it was a blast for the kids. Most of the stuff was a little young for Adrian and Luke, but since they are still kids at heart if they acted like they were just playing with their little sibling then it was "okay" that they were having just as much fun as all the little kids. I love that age!
Jonathan spied this giant chess set and totally believes that it is a game of wizard chess from Harry Potter. I think he would have stayed in this little spot all day if we'd let him.

Then there was the sand area with a "mammoth" skeleton which quickly became Jonathan's favorite place ever because it was only for paleontologists and he is going to be a paleontologist. His words, not mine.

Luke tried to get Reagan to go up the tire ladder...she got about half-way before she freaked. He was so good and patient with her though and I know that is part of why she loves her "Lukey" so much! He hates that nickname by the way, but never corrects her when she says it. No one else is allowed to call him Lukey though.

 

We have some pretty strong boys around here and they love every opportunity to show off their muscles...

 

They also love dressing up and getting to pretend that they are in the jungle. Adrian deemed himself "king" of the jungle and took the "throne."

One of Reagan's favorite spots was the animal clinic. They got to provide all kinds of "medical" treatments for their stuffed animals. It was pretty hilarious to hear them discussing their "patients" as though they were real animals in dire straights.

Reagan was always so concerned about which kennels the animals were assigned.

 

While the boys went into a dark room that Reagan didn't like I helped her make a mask that she was pretty excited to wear for all of 30 seconds.

The museum is made up of a series of old homes and is actually pretty cool. I don't know that it is awesome enough to warrant driving to Salem just for the museum, but if we are in the area it's worth stopping by for sure! On the front porch of one of the homes there are some chairs you can sit in. Adrian and Luke liked the giant rocking chair you have to climb a ladder to be able to sit in.

Jonathan loved the dinosaur chair (because it is for paleontologists of course!) and Reagan loved the little rocking chair that was just her size.

Reagan liked the China room until she saw a wall of masks that freaked her out. Now she tells me that we should not ever go in that room again.

 

After we were done at the museum we headed over to Lincoln City for a couple of days and it was wonderful!