LEGO® Castle Adventure at Port Discovery Children's Museum

by Micaela Williamson

Step into a a magical kingdom of LEGO bricks where master builders rule.  The new LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit is taking over the third floor of Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore through September 20, 2015

“LEGO Castle Adventure gives museum visitors the opportunity to test their planning and construction skills while exercising their creativity with one of the most loved toys of all time,” says Bryn Parchman, President and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum. 

Families will love seeing the amazing the LEGO models of real-world castles (Blarney, Arundel, and Neuschwanstein) and the giant LEGO dragon and knights.   Kids are encouraged to use their creation skills at the hands-on building areas.  We loved that they are broken up by age with age-appropriate sized LEGO bricks: Apprentice Builders (toddlers), Journeyman Builders (ages 3-6), and Master Builders (ages 7 and older.) 

Other fun things to do at the exhibit include dressing up like princes, princesses, knights or dragons, building a LEGO brick topiary, climbing the lookout tower and sitting among the LEGO jewels on a very special LEGO throne. 

My kids also enjoyed playing with the catapult.  Using a 3-D computer program, a giant screen, and a real-world catapult, kids can build their own castle defense systems (walls) and launch the catapult to check out their durability.  

Things to know about the museum:

• We previously posted about Port Discovery Museum.  Check out that review online here for more details information about museum exhibits.
• Wear flat shoes or preferably sneakers.  The climbing structure that takes up the whole museum (KidWorks) is a favorite and parents are encouraged to climb along. 
• Parking is super easy in the garage next to the museum, and tickets are validated to a discounted rate ($7) with museum admission. 
• There is no on-site place to eat, but there is a room for those who pack their own lunch/snack.  Multiple restaurants are located in the pedestrian area right outside the museum doors.  Keep your wristband on and get back into the museum after lunch.  
• Clean bathrooms are on every single floor of the museum!  Well planned!  
• Weekends are crowded, but it is not unbearable.  We suggest getting there early.
• Port Discovery is a great place for kids to be kids and use their imaginations.  We highly suggest it for children ages 0-10.  Don't be surprised to see your "older" child enjoy things like working in the pretend diner and "pumping gas"  in a car.  It's a good reminder that kids need more play and exploration time, and we applaud this museum for combining education, physical activity, imagination and fun!  

Port Discovery
 35 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
http://www.portdiscovery.org