'Dinosaurs Live!' Exhibition @ Science Centre
For a 'dino-phile' like Kyle, any dinosaurs exhibition/show is a must-see for him, so we took this chance to visit the science centre on Monday, since it was a post-concert school holiday for him. This exhibition reminded me alot of the Hollywood Dinos experience in Jurong Bird Park which we attended in January 2010, as both exhibitions featured live-sized exhibits that were able to move and 'growl'.
The lights in the exhibition area were dim with large 'real-sized' dinosaurs, coupled with realistic sound effects that were enough to scare a 4 year old when he approached the T-Rex exhibit. While I was slightly distracted by the strong resin scents of pvc and plastic, most likely the materials used to make the dinosaur exhibits. Would have been better if the organisers used some forest/jungle scented air fresheners to mask the plasticky-scents to complete the whole sight, sound and scent experience for visitors.
Included in this exhibition is a Dig Pit, where kids below 10 can search for dinosaur fossils by digging through the sand pit, which was just about the best hands-on interactive activity for kids throughout the exhibition. Kids can also go around the tables in front of the exhibits to get their 'dinosaur passport' stamped, as they match and identify the exhibits with the ones featured in their booklets (The 'dinosaur passport' cost an additional $3 to purchase, by the way). The colour, etch and draw kiosks that were located towards the exhibition were not too intriguing for a pre-schooler.
Overall, I think Kyle will gladly give this exhibition an 8/10. I think it is a good effort by Singapore Science Centre, considering the affordable admission fees, which included the entrance fee to the other exhibits of Science Centre and an IMAX movie at Omni Theatre.
The Science Centre, Dinosaurs Live Exhibition & 40 Minutes Imax Movie $30 Adult $22 Child (3-12 years of age)
Dinosaurs Live Exhibition 21 October 2011 – 26 February 2012 Science Centre, The Annexe
As for the rest of the Science Centre experience, considering the rough handling of the exhibits amongst the throngs of primary school children who visit the place in bus loads, the exhibits are in rather poor condition and in desperate need of some overhaul. But seriously, I can't complain when admission fees are only at $9.00 Adult, $5.00 for a child.
The Science Centre is still a good place to go nonetheless, when…
you have a pre-schooler that has octopus hands and love to fiddle with things,
(No need to worry about the 'see no touch' policy, as the policy in the Science Centre is you will need to touch or press a button to see how it works)
it is the school holidays, and you can't think of any other place to bring a preschooler on a dull and quiet afternoon,
Or the neighbours are having their renovations and the drilling and knocking noises are driving both you and your kid batty. And there is no way any one can get his afternoon nap (helps if you don't live in the east of Singapore)
So that gives us lots of reasons why we think we will be sure to come back soon for another visit.
i have been there before though