Exhibits - The Discovery Center

COME EXPLORE, PLAY, & LEARN!

The Discovery Center’s unique, hands-on environment encourages children to make choices and acquaint themselves with who they are and who they might want to be. Offering a safe, engaging and happy atmosphere, the Museum fosters play, sparks creative thinking and builds self-esteem. Pretending to soar above the clouds in our A-10 cockpit, shopping smart, directing an emergency call, dining out international-style, or sampling simple science are perhaps the first steps in preparing a child to succeed in a changing society.

Matthews Auto Service Center

Get hands-on with car care at our auto center! Peek under the hood to check fluids, swap an oil filter, and test the battery. Master tire changes with kid-sized tools and slide under the car to “fix” the muffler. This is a fun pit stop where mechanics of all ages can tinker and learn.

Presented by Matthews Auto Service Center

SPORTS MATTER

Dive into the exciting world of sports with this immersive experience honoring the legacy of Tim Myers. Go fishing on a child-sized boat, putt on a mini-golf green, and kick a field goal with the multi-sport simulator. Explore a replica of the first DICK’s Sporting Goods store, stocked with bait, tackle boxes, cargo vests, and more.

Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

Weis Markets

Shop like a pro at our mini grocery store! Fill child-sized carts with realistic food, role-play store jobs like manager or cashier, and learn about healthy choices and budgeting. This exhibit offers a fun, hands-on way to explore real-life scenarios in a kid-sized supermarket.

Presented by Weis Markets

M&T Bank

Head to the bank for a hands-on playful approach to financial literacy! Become a bank teller, practice depositing and withdrawing money, count like a pro with the classic abacus, secure valuables in the vault, and explore the world’s currencies.

Presented by M&T Bank

Pet VET

Explore the wonderful world of animal care! Grab a lab coat and stethoscope and become a veterinarian for a day. Examine x-rays, give check-ups to our cuddly plush pups and kitties, and learn all about caring for furry friends. With a bookshelf of stories, puzzles, and toys, this exhibit is the purr-fect place for animal lovers of all ages.

Engine co. 5

Climb aboard a real fire truck, Engine Number 5, once a vital part of Binghamton’s firefighting force! Learn fire safety essentials, how to call 911, and the many ways firefighters keep our community safe. Gear up, take the wheel, and feel the thrill of responding to a pretend emergency – be a real life hero for the day!

Asian Celebrations

Learn how children in China, Vietnam, and South Korea celebrate Lunar New Year with festive foods, fun games, and traditional ceremonies. Dress up in a colorful South Korean Hanbok and test your skills in the giant Chopstick Challenge. Become part of the celebration by making a lion dance or pounding on the drum.

Sponsored by the Freeman Foundation

Dr. Demtrak's Healthy You

Explore the world of healthcare in a fun, hands-on way! Care for the babies in our mini-nursery and hop inside the back of an ambulance, just like real medical professionals. Practice precision play on our life-sized Operation game! Can you remove the funny bone with the steady hands of a surgeon?

Dedicated to Dr. Christopher S. Demtrak

Ecokids

Dive into the wonders of the natural world in this interactive wonderland designed to spark a love of nature in children of all ages. Explore the incredible migration of monarch butterflies, get a bird’s-eye view from the indoor treehouse, identify bird calls like a pro, and even dress up as a furry or feathered friend!

DINOSAUR DENTAL

Become a dentist, hygienist, or patient – the choice is yours! This exhibit lets you explore dental care through hands-on play. Take a seat in a real dentist’s chair, practice brushing on larger-than-life teeth, and keep patient records on a clipboard. While waiting, children can explore a captivating “Search and Find” wall and discover fascinating facts about animal teeth.

Plum Dragon Diner

Don your apron and chef hat and step into our mini-diner! Select food from the fridge, whip up a feast in the oven, and wash dishes in the sink. With menus in hand, take orders and serve up a delicious spread. Become a culinary master at the Plum Dragon Palace, where imagination simmers and fun is always on the menu!

Once Upon a Toddler Time

This magical space is designed for our littlest explorers – infants and toddlers aged two and under. Crawl, climb, and discover a playground of soft mats, colorful blocks, cozy blankets, and delightful toys. Mirrors spark curiosity, while a variety of textures engage the senses.

The Story Garden

Free and open daily dawn to dusk. Fully accessible mid-April through October during Museum hours.

Step outside the Museum and into our award-winning Story Garden, an interactive wonderland where your favorite stories leap off the page. Ride the Little Blue Truck, have tea inside the Three Bears’ house, or climb aboard a pirate ship like Captain Hook. Find books in dozens of colorful mailboxes throughout the garden and share the magic of storytelling with your child.

Haunted Hallows

Seasonal exhibit open throughout the month of October.

BEWARE: Fun is everywhere in this not-too-scary exhibit featuring a delightfully spooky haunted house that’s more giggles than chills. Climb the tower to the mad scientist’s lab for a fascinating lesson in anatomy. Dance your way around the tombstones, or take a magical ride in a Cinderella-worthy pumpkin coach.

Santa's Workshop

Seasonal exhibit open throughout the month of December.

Step into a magical winter wonderland at The Discovery Center during the holiday season! Dazzling festive lights and displays will fill you with holiday cheer, including giant gingerbread people scattered throughout the museum for a whimsical scavenger hunt with prizes! Marvel at a unique showcase of gingerbread houses created by the community, for the community.