One of our close friends recently started working at the Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint, Michigan. It has become a tradition for us to visit him when we are in the area! It is always an unforgettable experience that blends education, history, and hands-on fun. Whether you’re a curious child, a history buff, or simply looking for an engaging day out, this museum offers something for everyone.

A journey through flint’s rich history

We started our day in the History Gallery, where we explored Flint’s transformation from it’s earliest inhabitants through its pivotal role in the automotive industry. Interactive exhibits, including story stones that activate personal stories from local residents, bring the city’s past to life.

Discovery Hall: Science Comes alive

The Discovery Hall is where we spend a majority of our time each visit. It’s a vibrant space filled with interactive exhibits that encourage curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving. One of the highlights of Discovery Hall is how it invites guests to touch, build, test, and explore. From engineering challenges to physics demonstrations, every corner offers a new opportunity to think critically and play creatively. For younger kids, there are simple cause-and-effect stations, while older children and adults can dive into more complex activities like circuitry, coding challenges, and motion-based puzzles.

A few standout features include:

Building stations with blocks, ramps, and gears to explore how structures work and what makes things move.
STEM-themed activity tables that change periodically to reflect new science topics or seasonal experiments.
The Great Lakes Water Table, where kids manipulate currents and watch how water interacts with landforms (covered in its own section below).
The Discovery Lab, a dedicated space within Discovery Hall where museum educators guide hands-on experiments (see full section below).

What impressed us most was how open-ended and welcoming Discovery Hall felt. There’s no “right way” to engage—just an invitation to explore. Whether your child is building a marble run or investigating how pulleys lift weights, they’re learning through play in the best possible way.

This area alone could easily fill a full morning or afternoon, making it a standout part of the museum that’s well worth the trip.

Great Lakes Water Table: splash & Learn

One section that was easily my kids favorite feature in the Discover Hall is the Great Lakes Water Table. This interactive display replicates the Great Lakes and their surrounding waterways, allowing children to explore how water flows, where it collects, and how it impacts our region.

We loved watching our kids experiment by placing boats in the currents, building dams, and guiding the flow through canals. It was a great way to introduce real-world concepts like watersheds, erosion, and environmental stewardship—all while having fun and getting just a little bit wet!

Whether your child is a future engineer or just loves to play with water, this exhibit is a must-stop during your visit.

*Tip: there are safety vests hanging to protect your kids clothes, but I recommend packing an extra outfit just in case.

Hagerman Street: A miniature world for kids

Do you remember Mr. Rogers? Or perhaps Daniel Tigers Neighborhood? Hagerman Street reminds me so much of those shows. For families with young children, Hagerman Street is a dream come true. This gated play space is a child-sized neighborhood including a grocery store, car shop, roundabout, tricycles, post office, ambulance, playhouse, and more. The nature-inspired climbing treehouse was a particular favorite, where my kids tried to find all the hidden animals throughout the structure.

Discovery Lab: Hands-on STEM Exploration

Another favorite during our visit was the Discovery Lab, a dynamic, hands-on space designed to spark curiosity and creativity. This lab is where science truly comes to life! With rotating experiments and themed activities led by staff, it’s a space where kids (and adults!) can get involved in real scientific inquiry—no lab coat required.

During our visit, we got to experiment crafting an aircraft made from recycled materials. The lab is also stocked full of legos, a 3D printer, magnetic devices, and so much more.

Plan your visit

Location: 1221 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 12 PM–5 PM; Closed Mondays
Admission: $13 for adults (12+), $8 for children (2–11), free for children under 2
Parking: Free, with electric charging stations available

Genesee County residents enjoy free general admission, thanks to the Arts & Culture millage.

Family Fun at the Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint, MI