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Impression 5 Science Center is a hands-on wonderland that your kids will never want to leave.
When your kids visit Impression 5 (I5 to the locals), they’ll have so much fun exploring the STEM-focused exhibits that they’ll have no idea they’re learning. Whether exploring the water room, building in the maker space, or experimenting with physics, kids and parents alike will find something to spark their imagination.
Conveniently located in downtown Lansing, Impression 5 museum is the perfect destination for family fun, school trips, and unforgettable experiences.
Impression 5 Science Center is located at 200 Museum Dr, Lansing, MI 48933.
Impression 5 creates spaces where visitors can learn and be themselves. Each station is customized to be engaging for people in every phase of life. The result: your toddler can have as much fun as their grandparents. They even build all exhibits in-house!
MEGAWATT: The newest addition to Impression 5 explores the science behind electricity production throughout Michigan. With knobs to crank and buttons to push, everyone will love exploring electricity.
FLOW: A Water Experience: Explore the fluid dynamics with two stories of interactive water components. Build and test your own sailboat, power a giant flywheel, play with water jets, and more.
Pro Tip: Visit this exhibit last (or bring a change of clothes) as kids WILL get wet — and not want to leave.
SMASH: A Nuclear Adventure: Experience the wonder of nuclear science that explores atoms and their journeys of acceleration, collision, separation, and detection in simulated environments. Build an isotope and learn about careers in nuclear science.
SPECTRUM: Explore the electromagnetic spectrum and compare different light sources, lenses, prisms and mirrors, and more. Be sure to strike a pose at the Shadow Wall.
CHEW ON THIS: Good dental hygiene takes on a new meaning with this larger-than-life mouth exhibit. Be sure to also visit the nearby SMART MART to discover how the food you eat affects your teeth with the interactive grocery store checkout activity.
THROWING THINGS: Explore the world of kinetic and potential energy with this hands-on activity that allows you to perfect your pitching form and blast targets with an air cannon. Create an aerodynamic airplane to launch and hurl a tennis ball 40′ with a trebuchet.
NANO: Immerse yourself in nanoscale science by playing with magnetic material, build a giant model of carbon molecules and compare levels of static energy.
BUILD ZONE: Put on your hard hat and take on engineering and building challenges. Magnetic tiles, blocks, panels, and more available here. How high can you build your tower?
POP: A Bubble Experience: Step into a full-size body bubble! Experiment with buoyancy and break down the molecular structure of a bubble.
MI NATURE: What does a naturalist do? Explore nature of course! Use your problem-solving skills to get a closer look at nature found right here in Michigan. Get a closer look at birds with the webcam and scoop up some pond water and magnify the amazing word within it.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ROOM: Children ages 0-4 can roam, touch, crawl, climb, splash, read, create, and get to know science in a whole new way in a comfortable and supportive environment. This fully-enclosed room is located near the front of the museum on the lower level.
There’s even a designated infant area behind a partial wall so the littlest kiddos can explore without getting stepped on.
Remove your shoes and store your diaper bag in the cubbies directly outside the room – where you’ll also find stroller parking and a nursing room. There’s also a family restroom outside the room and another one inside First Impressions.
Pro tip: The First Impression Room has air conditioning so it’s a great place for littles to hang out on a hot summer day.
PLANET WALK PLAZA: Don’t miss this outdoor exhibit that is part art installation, part place to contemplate the universe.
Learn something new every visit!
Each year Impression 5 adds either a new permanent exhibit or showcases a unique traveling exhibit to explore with friends and family.
Explore From Here to There from Feb 1 – May 4, 2025, to learn about movement by land, air and sea. Stations include a hovercraft chair, a canal lock system, pneumatic air tubes, pulleys, levers, and hydraulics.
Be sure to check their website for current or upcoming traveling exhibits.
For years Impression 5 has been teaching kids that learning about science is a blast! They prove this in their play options for the whole family and by the cool experiences they offer. Kids love making slime, doing experiments with lab equipment, and so much more.
Camps: Spring Break Summer day Labs during school breaks. Ages 5-14.
Positive Learning Programs: Sparking Science. Ages 2-4 with a caregiver. Open Fridays and select Saturdays October 2024 – May 2025.
Birthday Parties: Celebrate a birthday in one of the most fun backdrops. Private rooms to eat and open gifts are provided. Then, play in the science center and choose a science experiment for you and your party attendees.
Groups and Field Trips: Experience the fun of science with a customizable package. Contact Impression 5 for more information and to schedule.
Evening Adventures are available via a Reservation Request. This unique outing is from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM, includes one snack, two workshops, and free chaperones. Please note it requires a minimum of 36 students and admission is $22.50 per student.
Impression 5 does an amazing job of community engagement and offers a diverse calendar of events all year long.
Some family favorites include being a part of the Capitol City Film Fest, meeting book characters, members nights, and adopt-a-river where families can contribute to keeping Lansing beautiful.
Next time the grandparents ask for gift ideas, suggest an Impression 5 Family Membership. It pays for itself within 2 to 3 visits, depending on the size of your family.
With a membership, there’s no pressure to stay all day so when the toddler starts melting down, you can pack up and leave without feeling like you wasted money.
| Family Membership | $100 | Two named adults and children |
| Enhanced Membership | $125 | Two named adults, children, and bring one guest |
| Elemental Membership | $150 | Three named adults, children, and bring two guests. |
A membership to I5 includes free or discounted admission to science centers and children’s museums all over the country with the ASTC and ACM (Elemental level only) benefits. Michigan options include Grand Rapids Public Museum, Michigan Science Center, and the Air Zoo.
Bonus: Impression 5 also partners with Michigan Museums to offer free admission to a different museum each month! Monthly Membership Promotions for 2025 include Potter Park Zoo and Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
Impression 5 wants to make every experience the best it can be for all families.
Sensory-Friendly hours are are offered select days each month for children of all ages in 2025:
Explore select exhibits altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli. Impression 5 ensures a limited building capacity of 250 people, pop-up activity, and 360 degree map designating the sensory experiences in each exhibit.
Wheelchairs (both child and adult sizes, limited quantity), wheelchair trays, compression/weighted vests, weighted blankets, and more accessible amenities are located throughout the building.
Bonus: Check out the video series Sensory Friendly Science at home to create your own science projects with everyday household items.
For any further questions, please call (517)485-8116.
Try these tips to help ensure everyone has a good time:
1 – Make Your Visit Hands-Free: Strollers are allowed throughout the museum, but they do get in the way and make it hard to interact with your kids. Having a baby carrier and backpack is great.
2 – Bring a Friend: While not always possible, try to go with another adult. Having multiple hands helps when navigating this large space.
3 – A Nursing Room is Available: If you prefer a quiet space to feed your little one, there is a nursing room next to the toddler area.
4 – Birthday Parties Don’t Wait For Late Arrivals: Birthday parties run on strict schedules to accommodate all of the families who plan to celebrate. If you are invited to a birthday party, arrive on time so you don’t miss out on making slime and singing to that special kid.
5 – Groups Can Play After Hours: These late evening workshops are perfect for classes, churches, scouts, or other groups of learners.
6 – Bring Extra Clothes: Kids will get pretty wet playing in the water stations. It’s so nice to be able to let them play as long and hard as they like. After a splashing good time, you’ll have a fresh new shirt for them as you leave.
7 – Save Some of the Best for Last: It doesn’t matter if we have the entire day or just an hour to spend – it is ALWAYS so hard to get the kids to leave. Save the water exhibit or traveling exhibits till last. This is such a great incentive to make your way downstairs and out the door in a timely manner.
8 – Refuel on the Second Floor: Vending machines are located on the second floor with places to sit, eat, and get back to playing. You can also bring in your own food and take a lunch break here or at the small eating area on the first level.
9) There is a Magical Gift Shop Right When You Walk In: Be prepared to run defense or perhaps spend some money on a new toy or book because the gift shop is sure to captivate the attention of kids and adults.
Willing to share your valuable skills and time? Impression 5 is always in need of some extra help!
From Special Events, the First Impression Room, Facilities, and Impression 5 TO GO, Impression 5 loves volunteers.
Please note volunteers must be 14 years of age, must successfully pass a criminal background check, and Impression 5 asks that volunteer shifts last either three or four hours on a regular weekly basis.
Submit an application online, email volunteer@impression5.org, or call Debbie Kuhl at 517-485-8116 ext. 140 to learn more.
Impression 5 Science Center is located in downtown Lansing.
200 Museum Dr, Lansing, MI 48933
517-485-8116
| Adults & Children (ages 2+) | $12 |
| Seniors; Military Members + their immediate family | $10.50 |
| Members, Children (ages 23 months and younger) | FREE |
| Museum For All (up to 6 guests with valid ID and EBT, Medicaid or WIC card) | $2 |
| Tuesday – Friday | 9:30 AM – 4 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM – 5 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
Impression 5 is closed on the following days: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Impression 5 has its own parking lot, but it can fill up fast! There is plenty of street parking in Lansing.
Pro Tip: Street parking is free on weekends.
Grab kids and head to Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing for a spectacular day of fun while learning!
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Ashley is a stay-at-home mom to her two favorite humans, golden retriever, and two cats. She loves going on family adventures across Michigan, taking their dog for long walks by the river, reading, and cheering on her alma mater, MSU! She is very excited to be a part of the HeyMI team.
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