Fun meets science at Reno's Discovery museum

Papi and his little buddy launch parachutes into the air at
The Discovery in Reno.

Just about the time we were packing up and moving to France, The Discovery museum in Reno was opening its doors. My kids weren't exactly kids anymore in 2011, so it's taken a decade to have the chance to check it out. With a requisite 3-year-old and her Papi in tow, we recently spent a most enjoyable day playing and exploring at The Discovery. 

Let's see if Papi can get out of these handcuffs at
The Discovery in Reno.

Large foam blocks can form a bridge at The Discovery in Reno.

The Discovery calls itself, "the home for informal science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) learning." Visitors of all ages can certainly learn a whole lot during their visit, but mostly — especially if you're a curious and energetic young child — it's all about the fun. The museum's official name is the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, named for its primary funder. In addition to being a hands-on museum, The Discovery hosts camps, school field trips, birthday parties, and loads of workshops. You can even have a slumber party at The Discovery, which sounds both awesome (if you're a kid) and exhausting (if you're a chaperone).

 

Visitors to The Discovery in Reno get a jump start
on car maintenance.

Upon arrival, my little friend, (or ma petite amie, whom I will refer to here as MPA), heads directly for the auto repair shop. Here she can change tires, add fluids, and tinker with the engine. Everything can be fiddled with, in fact, there's no "hands off" at The Discovery.

 

Flashlights illuminate this tunnel of shapes and colors at
The Discovery in Reno.

An area that MPA especially enjoys is a crawl space that illustrates the way eyes perceive color. With flashlights in hand, MPA has decided instead that this is a forest, and she is Little Red Riding Hood. Papi is, naturally, the Wolf. And I'm Granny. When her "forest" is invaded by a gang of boys, MPA is a little annoyed, and she's relieved when they move on to another exhibit.

Visitors to The Discovery in Reno see what they can make with
wooden sticks. 

Feel free to draw on this glass wall at The Discovery in Reno.

In the art area, MPA draws on glass with bright markers. In another area she braids ropes. The lower level is dominated by a vast recreation of the water systems of the Reno-Tahoe area. She's not interested in climbing the netted ramps above the lakes and rivers below (thank goodness), but she's happy to splash about in Pyramid Lake.

Ropes that can be twisted and braided illustrate the basics of
basket weaving at The Discovery in Reno.

The waterways of the Reno-Tahoe area are recreated in a
vast splash-and-climb section at The Discovery in Reno.

By the time we hit the dark Outer Space room, Papi and I are happy to sit back on some comfy sofas while MPA explores the galaxy. She carries around what appears to be an iPad and thoughtfully considers what she imagines is on the screen.

"Ah ha!," I think. "She's going to work at NASA some day!"

Instead, she tells me it's my turn for a haircut. 

Engineer, hairdresser, astronaut, automobile mechanic: Whatever! — as long as she's happy. (Although I'm holding out for Mission Control Flight Director.)

The large Electrosketch entertains The Discovery's older visitors.

The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum is located at 490 Center Street in Reno. Visit The Discovery website nvdm.com  for hours and admission prices.