KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum — Attraction in Rutherfordton

Very good kids museum. The top level has STEAM and community themed rooms: -broadcast station with green screen tech where kids can operate the camera or sit at the news desk with a microphone (MOM TIP: use a squirt of hand sanitizer from the main hallway to smear on the microphone before your kids speak into it/put their mouths on the mic... they all do this at some point but if it tastes yucky they only do it once ;) -vet office with a real fish tank, many stuffed animals to care for, tools like a faux Xray machine that make noise and are very interactive (usually at least 1 piece of equipment does not work-- well loved exhibit) kid sized grocery store MOM TIP: if your child has sensory challenges, this area can be overwhelming when many kids are present! If so, the bathrooms are across the main area outside this Exhibits doorway and there is a very calm exhibit for the 4 and under crowd with a large faux barn that adults can fit in too and a dark tunnel with black light. Rocking chairs as well and books. -STEM room with a small tornado machine, wind tunnel maze, electronic magnet the kids can control, gears -room for coloring and simple art

The lower level features -a dress up theater area with puppets and a large stage -faux restaurant (kids LOVE serving adults here at the 50s diner style tables!) -bubble room Tesla coil shows MOM TIP: there is a neat room where kids can press a button then pose, a flash goes off (bright in a dark space, warning to sensory avoidance or sensitive vision visitors) -train table -rooms where classes and parties are hosted -2nd set of bathrooms in the corner by the bubble room

The levels are connected by a rope ladder tunnel no kids have ever been hurt in this, there is a cow bell to ring if they climb to the ceiling.

A vintage style faux firetruck is next to the main entrance and visible from the street. Firepower to slide down and lights and horn to activate on the truck. MOM TIP: Could be overwhelming for some. Great diversion to occupy kids while shopping for surprises in the giftshop (clean, good prices, well-stocked) across the main entrance area.

The staff has pleasant management who have successfully written grants allowing them to provide FREE FIRST FRIDAY admission and extended hours (open til 8pm) in 2022 and 2023! Teens and adults are turned away at the front desk if not with a child or meeting the rest of their party/family that includes a kid.

MOM TIP: typically, this hands on museum is less busy in the evenings of the 1st...

I love interactive children museums like this one. I wish I didn't have to drive so far. There are tons of exhibits and lots of things to keep children occupied for hours. There is an upper and lower level. A designated area for crafts. There's also another designated area for children 3 and under which is the treehouse room. There's a scarf tube, a grocery store, vet area, restaurant, bubble room, picture light exhibit (to watch how shadows appear and disappear), a large fire truck to play on, the weather area, a puppet area to put on a play, and a beanstalk to climb from upper level to lower level. My kids always love coming here. We've come more lately for field trips than anything else. Prices for field trips is a little bit more reasonable than overall price. Especially since you have to pay for adults. I have never understood paying adult price for something I don't...

In town visiting family and we came to KidSenses after a google search for fun things to do in the area. What an amazing experience we had! My son is 4 years old and enjoyed exploring every aspect of the museum. The fire truck, grocery store, alphabet wilderness, and dining restaurant were his favorites. Everything was clean, organized and quiet on the Tuesday morning we went. Can tell some items have been well used - primarily in the dining restaurant and grocery store. Would suggest placing reusuable grocery bags in the store for children to bag their items. So much fun and appreciate the thought and time that was placed into this small-town children's museum. Reasonable pricing as there is so much to see and do and tickets are good for the whole day. Cute little gift shop to browse on...