The Exploration Place (Wichita)

Because we had some time to kill before our baseball game, we decided to check out yet another science museum. Mona, her kids and my son Isaac decided to hang back at the hotel and chill out for a bit, while Lilia and Joel and I soldiered on heading to The Exploration Place.  Oddly enough as we were about to enter this very kid friendly science museum, there was a sign on the door that featured a handgun with a red line though it.  My kids and I were speechless.  So apparently in Kansas carrying a concealed weapon is ok, you just can't bring it into the museum.  Wow, in California where we are from, having any kind of gun on you can get you arrested.  Moving through the museum we had an opportunity to check out some original exhibits like a replica of the Wright Brothers plane (sponsored by the aviation industry which like Tulsa also has a strong presence in Wichita).   You  lay on top on your stomach just as Orville and Wilbur did and try to fly with a simulator lining up the points. It was quite challenging and very fun although I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't a very good pilot! I crashed way too many times.   There were some other flight simulation gadgets to try and I really got a reality check watching my  8 year old son beat me at every one. This generation is so tuned in electronically and so dialed in with their fine motor skills it incredible to watch and humbling all at the same time.  I have real mixed feelings when my kids are better at something than I am-I am proud to be sure, but in a funny way I wonder if my authority is somehow being eroded too.  Not to mention I am a pretty competitive person, so at the end of the day, maybe I just don't like to lose....You can also check out other exciting exhibits on the human body that both the kids and I found really informative and interesting sparking a lot of conversation about digestion, teeth brushing how our eyes and ears work. The Exploration Place is definitely worth a visit, if you have the time and inclination!