Pacific Science Center551

There's a lot to do at the Pacific Science Center, so plan on spending at least a day, or come back several times. All aspects of science - health, games, computers, physics, biology - are covered here. Kids can jump in at whatever level they feel comfortable.

Children love to hang out in Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time, which features animatronic dinos realistic enough to be almost scary. At the Tropical Butterfly House and Insect Village, kids can explore the world of arthropods through interactive exhibits and displays of some cool live bugs, including butterflies. In the Tech Zone, sports fans play a game of virtual reality soccer or manipulate heavy machinery to perform simple tasks.

Little ones don aprons - or not - and splash in running water, or play on a nice selection of climbing toys, in the separate, walled-off toddler area. If someone older in your party loves water play (and who doesn't?) check out Water Works outside in the Fountains Courtyard. Kids blast water cannons at spinning and moving targets, while their parents admire the retro white soaring arches and reflecting pools that define the PSC's architecture.

The Willard Smith Planetarium offers free star shows at different times during the week. Two IMAX theaters, the Boeing and the Eames, show various films daily. The Laser Dome features such gems as Laser Creed and Laser Zeppelin.

Food can be found at Fountains Cafe, which offers reasonably decent cafeteria-type food in a sometimes hectic setting. Brown-baggers can search out space in the covered Brown Bag Court for lunch - it's located at the far end of the Fountains Courtyard, next to the Tech Zone entrance.

Classes: The Science Center offers a variety of workshops and classes for families. Check the Center's website for updated information about each quarter's offerings.

Discoveries Day Camps: Offered in conjunction with the Seattle Children's Theatre, these camps blend science and drama in weeklong sessions.

Summer/School Break Day Camps: Check out the Science Center's website for a truly dizzying array of day camps for all grade school ages. These are popular and are held at five locations around Puget Sound.

The center's Science On The Go! After School Programs bring hands-on, inquiry-based science to elementary schools in a format specifically designed for after-school science clubs. Comprised of six one-hour workshops, after-school groups meet once a week at school locations. The programs build on the Washington State Grade Level Expectations and enrich the classroom curriculum. [206.443.2681]

Birthday Parties: Choose from two packages. The first includes a party room for two hours, invitations, and admission. The second package features all of the above, and choice of a science theme; cake, decorations, and goody bags to match the theme; a liquid nitrogen ice cream demonstration (which provides ice cream to go with your cake); and a science show. B'Earthday celebrations at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue are also available for kids five and up. These include a wetland hike, party invitations, room rental, and more. Call the birthday party hotline: 206.443.3625.