Cheap Thrills: The Lawrence Hall of Science

Parked on a shelf of hillside high above campus, The Lawrence Hall of Science looks out across the glistening waters of the bay, standing sentry from above and awaiting its visitors in stately silence. Looking like a giant concrete wing nut, the building is a stoic structure, positioned solidly on an expansive stone deck, and housing an impressive selection of hands-on exhibits, installations, and activities.

Serving as UC Berkeley’s public science center, the Hall was founded on the notion that children learn by doing — by listening, watching, poking, squishing, smelling — and the carefully curated collection reflects that philosophy. Exhibits invite little ones to touch and explore different textures and shapes, and interactive activities encourage them to grasp, guess, build, and experiment. Excited by possibility, kids flit and dart between the displays like minnows, their minds fired to full tilt and their bodies ready to wholly engage and participate. With buttons to push, levers to pull, and blocks to stack, balance, and topple, the Hall cultivates a climate of curiosity, stinging the imagination and awakening a new creative spirit.

Wait for the slower pace — and smaller crowds — of mid-week. Pick a late afternoon, postpone the day’s homework, and motor up the hill for an unexpected visit to the Lawrence Hall of Science. Watch as your kids hop out of the car eagerly, sprinting across the entry plaza with eager abandon. Follow them as they drape themselves across the massive stone whale and hang from the giant DNA sculpture.

Then enter the Hall itself and trail behind them, zoning in and out of your private thoughts, as they zigzag through the exhibits. Bring a sack of snacks to enjoy in the outdoor area in back. Plop down on the lawn and nibble on your goodies next to the water. Sitting close, you can catch up on the day as the sun begins to dim and the air cools. After quick notice (or calculated avoidance) of the gift shop, you can depart, winding slowly back home in the quiet aftermath of a big day at the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Have you been to the Lawrence Hall of Science lately? What's your favorite thing to do or see while there?