The Tinkering Studio in San Diego
ByMaribel Reyes, our San Diego contributor always takes her family to the most fun places. Read all about the Tinkering Studio in San Diego!
Credit: Maribel Reyes
Just before New Year’s Eve I took my 6 year old to the always fun Tinkering Studio in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. It is a creative place where kids and adults have access to tools and materials to make or build something unique. It is truly amazing to say the least.
Tinkering Studio closed its doors in 2009 and by popular demand it re-opened it’s doors on December 27th of 2011. In this permanent exhibit there is everything you need to create. Among the items to choose from to tinker are paper towel rolls, empty cereal boxes, empty water bottles, dowels, clothespin, plastic tubes, empty egg cartons and glue just to name a few.
Credit: Maribel Reyes
On the day we visited they had everything setup for creating marble rollercoasters there was even a peg wall you could use to attach dowels, plastic tubes, colanders, clothespins which were setup on a cart in separate bins to allow easy design and access.
Tinkering Studio has three separate tables with chairs and in the middle you will find a bin with items to tinker with. The day we visited the tables had a marble race game which included plastic tubes to be assembled however you decide and then at the top of it all you would release a marble and watch it speed down the tubes. It was so much fun.
Around the studio you will find books and pictures of contraptions that were previously built and in the center of the main wall there is also a flat screen playing videos of professionally made mechanical toys, catapults, etc. to inspire your creativeness.
Credit: Maribel Reyes
Every Saturday is “Family Science Saturdays” at the Tinkering Studio during the month of January from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in which you will be able to participate in creating “digital bling” with the use of colorful LED lights, batteries and accessories. Make origami, spirograph artwork or design toys. Activities are included with admission. To purchase admission tickets head here
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is open seven days a week and is the perfect place to take your family. To learn more please head here
Maribel Reyes loves visiting Balboa Park’s Science Center with her inquisitive kids, you can find her there at least once a month. Follow her adventures on twitter @strllradvsocal and on her personal blog Stroller Adventures
