“COSI is about inspiring interest in science & encouraging
people to want to learn more about their world.” -COSI
Let me take you back a ‘few’ years to one of my very fondest childhood memories: Circa 1984, Girl Scout troop 473 traveled less than 2 hours north from Cincinnati, OH to Columbus. An overnight at the renown COSI (Center Of Science and Industry) was ahead of us and we were as giddy as the grade-schoolers we were. Not only were we free from parents and with our bestest of friends, we were given the freedom to explore the museum on our own! Life didn’t get too much better at that age.
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Visiting COSI as a mom showed a side of the center I didn’t appreciate as a young child. Back then, I just wanted to have fun (I had no idea the amount of education that had been squeezed into my “fun”). Now, with 2 children far apart in age, I was able to test another side of COSI. Would my beloved COSI from years ago still hold the same magic today as it did as a child? Our most recent visit in January 2016 gave us the opportunity to test it. This is what we found:
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With 2 kids 6.5 years apart in age, finding something they both have interest in can be challenging. Many of the exhibits at COSI are appropriate for a large age range and our family enjoyed them together. For those that were not, my husband and I were able to separate and enjoy the children one on one. I wondered though, how I would manage if I had been on my own. Not long after I questioned this, I discovered the Big KidLab within the Little KidSpace. The The Big KidLab is designed for older children in the family to enjoy while the younger are busy in Little KidSpace®. “The Big KidLab offers cool, engaging activities that are appropriate for their developmental levels in a safe, monitored atmosphere.” It was perfect! They packed quite a variety of activities into the area and staff members were there to assist the older children. It wasn’t just a “babysitting” room. My 11 year old son enjoyed it quite a bit.
Outings for families with children on the Autism spectrum or other cognitive conditions comes with added challenges. COSI offers on the the first of it’s kind, Calming Room. The room is open to caregivers with overstimulated children or individuals who need a brief moment away from the busy COSI environment.
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Family Restrooms
COSI offers family restrooms on all visitor levels. Not only are changing tables available in BOTH men’s and women’s restrooms, restrooms in the Little KidSpace had child sized facilities. My daughter was thrilled with the independence it allowed her and it gave me the freedom to not have to assist as much.
Healthy & Fresh Food Options
One of my biggest frustrations when out with my children is finding something I’m okay with them eating. We don’t do much food that isn’t fresh and healthy. I was thrilled to see the MANY healthy options offered by COSI’s cafeteria. Not only were the options healthy, but the menu set up was designed to encourage healthy choices. SCORE!
Nursing Room
In the Little KidSpace, you will find 2 Nursing Rooms. These rooms are open to nursing moms and equipped with rocking chairs and toys for older children you may have with you.
Baby Supply Vending
It happens. You leave the house only to later realize you forgot diapers, a pacifier, a bib, formula, etc. COSI has your back. In the Little KidSpace you’ll find a vending machine with many baby/toddler necessities. They really thought of everything!
Enabling Independence
I mentioned above the child sized facilities in the Little KidSpace bathrooms. There are many areas where COSI has been designed specifically to encourage independence in children. Another example is the well divided and labeled “clean up” area in the cafeteria. Children are easily able to clean up after themselves and families. It’s one less thing for caregivers to have to do and one more thing the kids are able to do.
Lockers & Storage
Families with a day’s worth of outing survival necessities can rent large lockers for $1.00 or use the temporary storage area in the Little KidsSpace.
Device Charging Stations
Phone and electronic device charging stations can be a lifesaver in today’s world. COSI offers at least one charging station in the ‘rest area’ in front of the Little KidSpace.
COSI offers the most up to date, family friendly, “museum” for families! I was very impressed with their obvious strive to provide for today’s families. My kids’ found the same magic I did all those years ago and I discovered another magical side to the center as a mom. Tweet The only complaint I have about COSI is that it’s not in our backyard. Oh how I wish it was located in Cincinnati!
“COSI is Columbus, Ohio’s dynamic Center of Science
and Industry – named America’s #1 science center by
Parents Magazine. COSI brings science to life through
more than 300 interactive experiences.” -COSI
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*****
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Disclaimer: This writer received media passes from COSI for review purposes. As always, all opinions expressed are those of the writer and in no way influenced by companies or products mentioned within. Post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for clicking through them! It helps keep this site here for you 
America’s #1 Science Center Evolves With The Modern Family
[…] Of Science and Industry). It was a fun packed day and the kids loved it (big and little kids ). Click here to see if COSI passed my “family friendliness” test and be sure to scroll to the bottom […]