Hudson River Tides Water Play Table

Splash around in our all new Hudson River Tides water play table. Learn that the Hudson River begins at the top of Mt. Marcy in the Adirondacks. Feel the cold air at the top of the moutain. Turn the Moon Dial to raise the tide in the ocean. Water floods the Hudson River mixing fresh and salty water creating an estuary. Look out the museum window, which way is the water flowing? Is the tide flowing up (north), or is the water flowing down (south) from Mt. Marcy?

Hudson River Tides water play table was funded, in part, through grants received from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River Foundation's Hudson River Improvement Fund. Ribbon Cutting event photo click here.

WKID Disney Radio Station

In the brand new, one of a kind, WKID Disney Radio station, children can select music and sing along with Hannah Montana, dance to the Macarena or groove with The Benny Goodman Orchestra. Colorful DJ lighting sets the stage. Large arcade buttons, trackballs and trackwheels access fun sound effects, like snoring, laughing and dogs barking.

The WKID exhibit centers on a touch-screen tele-prompter. Where older children are able to select from wacky news, silly stories with sound effects, interview questions, jokes and tongue twisters. The imaginative script encourages children to read and speak and make up their own stories in a friendly fun environment.

The Disney Radio Station at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum was made possible, in part, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency funded through appropriations sponsored by the offices of Congressman Hinchey, Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton. Additional support was provided by Cumulus Broadcasting Co. and IBM Corporation. Ribbon Cutting event photo click here.

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"The Battle for Liberty" - Hands on History

Imaginary steps through the Revolutionary War in the Hudson Valley. Pretend to be a King, experience an old jail, declare your freedom and ring the Liberty Bell. Then, stir some imaginary stew cooking in a colonial hearth and re-live the wild ride of Sybil Luddington, the 16 year-old Paul Revere. Finally, help Hamilton and Clinton reach a compromise that resulted in the Bill of Rights and then put your signature on it! Funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Historical Society.

CLIMB THROUGH THE HEART PLAY SPACE

Travel the pathway of a red blood cell through the heart and lungs and learn a lifelong path to having a healthy heart and lungs. Climb Through the Heart Play Space photo click here. Funded by the Dutchess County Children Services Council through the United Way of Dutchess County.

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VIRTUAL REALITY 
VR is a technology which allows you to interact with a computer-simulated environment, be it a real or imagined one. The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum has the following computer-simulated games to play: Basketball, Parachute Rangers, Shark Attack and Soccer. Virtual Reality was funded byJohn & Nancy O'Shea Charitable Fund.

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IBM'S DA VINCI INVENTIONS
A great introduction to simple machines, IBM's internationally traveled working models of the artist/inventor's 16th century inventions spark curiosity and teach about simple machines.

MORSE TELEGRAPH

Learn about the Hudson Valley's artist/inventor Samuel F. B. Morse and his invention which changed long distance communications forever.

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HEALTH CENTER

Examine the wonders of the human body through detachable models of the brain, heart, ear, organs and a see a friendly moving skeleton that rides a bicycle with you!  Explore our Pretend Doctor's Office, and try adaptive equipment for the physically challenged.

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GEOGRAPHY

Giant wall mural of the world, rug map of the U.S., globes, puzzles and electronic games provide children with a tangible sense of the world around them.

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STARLAB PLANETARIUM

Call for on-site schedule. Also available to schools and groups off site. Funded by the Dyson Foundation.

GRAVITY ROLL

What makes the ball stay on this roller coaster track invented just for us by our local inventor, Reid Bielenberg. Gravity keeps a ball on the track as it is driven through artfully designed copper railings. Children turn the crank to start the ball on its journey, making it climb through a figure based on Archimedes' screw. Learn that everything has gravity. The earth is attracting the ball, and the ball is also attraching the earth! Gravity Roll click here.

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HUDSON RIVER MURAL

View why the Hudson River has been so important to our area created during a workshop at the museum.

SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY

Where would you ever find a carousel full of black and white cows instead of colorful, galloping horses? Well here, actually, in a miniature carousel included in our new, interactive exhibit about solar and wind energy.

Our imaginative senior volunteer, Bill Miller, has created a whimsical rural farm scene which demonstrates the possibilities of alternative energy sources. The lights in the farmhouse and the spinning carousel are powered by the sun; peeking through a partly cloudy sky. The lights in the hay barn come on when the wind blows the propeller on a generator. So, why the tiny cows following each other around the carousel? It's just Bill's way of getting your attention. Come and see for yourself.

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IBM'S TryScience Kiosk

The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum is proud to join a selected few sites to be chosen for installation of an IBM TryScience Kiosk. The growing TryScience "Around the World" Kiosk Network is a dynamic complement to the popular TryScience.org. web-site. This interactive multimedia showcase features adventures ranging from fossil collection to space exploration. The kiosk is a self-contained exhibit featuring state-of-the-art 3D animation and other interactive adventures that are impossible to deliver via standard Web-based applications.

A special feature of the kiosk network will allow MHCM visitors the chance to check out other linked organizations around the world and exchange ideas and notes with their visitors. MHCM shares the beauty, heritage, and environmental significance of the Hudson Valley as this prestigious network will allow "virtual" visitors to view live cams of MHCM and partake in scientific experiments and activities related to the Hudson River and our many varied science and invention exhibits. The TryScience "Around the World" Kiosk Network is an IBM donation initiative that supports the overall TryScience mission to provide programs that encourage interest in science & technology.

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