Are you good at puzzles?
Good enough to join the Mindbender Society?
I took a trip through the new temporary exhibit, Mindbender, at the Science Museum of Virginia and I can’t wait to come back with my 6 and 8 year old boys.
When you enter the Mindbender Mansion, you’ll watch a video and pick up a clue card. As you try your hands and test your brains at the various puzzles and brain teasers, you’ll get clues along the way. If you get them correct you’ll be able to solve the final challenge and join the notable Mindbender Society, complete with your photo (see my 18 month old son, left) on a certificate so you can gloat your genius off to all of your friends! (I think he cheated.)
Perhaps kids will have the advantage during this exhibit, in order to solve the puzzles, you’ll have to change your perspective, look at things in a new light and shed preconceived ideas. Many of the puzzles that look easy are much more challenging than they seem, and those that seem difficult likely have a simple solution.
In addition to 40 individual puzzles, the exhibit gets the whole family involved with 5 large-scale activities for your whole group to solve together. Work as a team to tilt a giant labyrinth, or untangle yourself from your kids in a pair of handcuffs. Answer trivia like “What mythical creature is half woman half fish” by hopping on the letters of an oversized key pad.
The Mindbender exhibit is probably best for ages 8 and up. While younger kids may enjoy playing with the many different materials, I’d like to think that if I couldn’t do some of the puzzles they can’t either (but I’ll be honest and say an 8 year old might have me beat).
Mindbender is at the Science Museum of Virginia now through January 4, 2015.
Pssst… Admission is buy one get one free at the Science Museum of Virginia every Friday with the Richmondmom Savvy Saver App.
The Science Museum of Virginia is a Sponsor of Richmondmom.
