The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder :: Worth the Drive from Lafayette
Last week, we went to Port Wonder with our homeschool group. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was such an amazing field trip! Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, this museum and science center kept us busy for hours! We stayed for three hours and still didn’t have time for everything! It’s located right off of I-10, making it an easy drive from Lafayette.
The children’s museum offers countless opportunities for learning.
The first thing we saw was an elaborate water station. My toddler could’ve stayed there forever! I loved watching him splash around and laugh with his friends. His favorite place at the museum was the real life firetruck. He loved dressing like a firefighter and “driving” the big red truck. They also had a baby/toddler section, complete with private rooms for nursing moms. That’s always a plus!
My ten year old loved the indoor playground. There were plenty of opportunities for exercise, climbing, and jumping. I loved seeing her playing and laughing with friends while also learning. She also loved the newsroom with real life cameras. She enjoyed playing pretend… I enjoyed watching her practice her reading and public speaking skills!
Some of the other exhibits we enjoyed include the bubble center, the music center, the cafe, an art center, and the general store. My toddler loved the wind machine and got to observe how wind blows a ball super high in the air. We all packed a lunch and ate in their large lunch room, complete with tables and chairs.
The science center was really neat and incredibly educational.
We loved looking at the giant aquarium, which featured a bunch of fish. Both of my children were mesmerized. My daughter’s favorite part of the science museum was getting to touch a stingray! There were many stations where you could read and learn more about the coast. We didn’t get to see their outdoor exhibits since it rained while were there. I definitely want to go back in the future!
The museum offers memberships and weekly activities for children and adults of all ages to enjoy. There are plenty of opportunities for STEM learning, which is always a benefit for us homeschoolers! They offer field trip packages, which allow entrance to both the children’s museum and the science center. My daughter already wants to go back, and my toddler keeps talking about the big red firetruck!
