Exhibits & Experiences

Travel back in time to 1920’s ancient Egypt in Adventure Expeditions! As you explore the pharaoh’s lost tomb, you’ll learn about the unique history of the Egypt civilization while you solve puzzles and decipher hieroglyphics. Enhance social, problem solving and creativity skills throughout this exhibit!

Learn more about Adventure Expeditions! 

Paint, sculpt, color and create in our creative arts studio! Visit the BGE Studio Workshop to experience hands-on, creative exploration of visual arts of all kinds. Choose from a variety of art-based projects all designed to promote creative freedom and exploration while enhancing fine motor, social and creativity skills. We’ll provide you with tips and tools to create together – and our staff will clean up the mess! 

Learn more about the BGE Studio Workshop!

Art programs in Studio Workshop are made possible by the Citizens of Baltimore County and by the Howard County Arts Council through a grant from Howard County Government.

Hop, jump, skip and play in our unique, indoor stadium designed for multiple games and sports! Visit Kick It Up! and take part in a variety of activities from drop-in soccer to backyard games that encourage you to get active, practice taking turns and teamwork, and learn about one another.

Learn more about Kick It Up! 

Read, play puzzles, explore games and play together in The Oasis! You’ll find ever-changing books, interactive toys, and educational games in this exhibit designed especially for early learners. This is a great space to try out new activities and materials and to learn something new.

Learn more about The Oasis!

Engage children in visual arts and theater in the PD Presents theater! Educators and performers from the Museum and community introduce children to the performing arts through interactive plays, theater workshops, musical performances, dance and more in this kid-sized theater. You’ll see imaginations come to life – and creativity blossom – in this exciting space.

Learn more About PD Presents!

Become the captain of an imaginative adventure on a multi-story ship in The Port! Sail, navigate and engineer as you explore the seas and discover how products make their way around the world. Work together to move, stack and explore what’s inside of shipping containers. Try your hand at operating a gantry crane, explore an engine room and try your hand at navigating a boat, plus learn about the Port of Baltimore – and the many jobs and products that make up one of the world’s most active ports!

Learn more about The Port exhibit!

* This project has been financed (in part) with Federal funds from the National Maritime Heritage program, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior.

This program received Federal financial assistance for preservation of historic maritime resources and for increasing public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the United States. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age in its federally funded assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated again in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240

Stop into the Royal Farms Convenience Store & Fill’er Up Station where little ones can pretend to grocery shop! As children play, they’ll take turns as the customer, cashier, stocker and more. They’ll also explore and learn about food groups plus take turns filling up the VW Beetle with gas and air!

Learn more about Royal Farms Convenience Store and Fill’er Up Station!

Soar to new heights as you try to reach the clouds! Test your courage as you climb your way up through an underwater scene and towards the clouds high above the Museum. As you climb and reach new heights, you’ll build confidence and problem-solving skills while having fun with new friends. You’ll trigger sound effects from Mother Nature as you climb – and will have a chance to play games with friends inside and outside of the SkyClimber, too. Socks required!

Toddlers can enjoy a smaller adventure in an underwater-themed soft play area under the SkyClimber. 

*Remember, no shoes are allowed on the SkyClimber! Children and adult climbers must wear socks.

Learn more about The SkyClimber!

Pretend play rules supreme in Tiny’s Diner, a 50’s-style diner that’s filled with imaginative fun. Watch as little learners play together and prepare pretend meals, take turns operating the cash register, serve up food and drinks, and clean up! While you wait for your very creative meals (and bills), you’ll see children’s brains at work as they figure out how to play and work together. 

Learn more about Tiny's Diner!

Infants and toddlers can sit, crawl, walk and explore in Tot Trails, an exhibit especially designed for our youngest learners. Infants can develop their gross motor skills and balance coordination as they crawl, roll, and wiggle through cushioned, mirrored "tidal pools" and the "dune walk." Young toddlers test their problem-solving skills as they maneuver their way through the Mountain Trail and Paw Paw Tunnel, while exercising their imaginations by digging for fossils and playing with puppets! Visit after visit, caregivers are encouraged to play, interact, and observe their child as they discover new ways to connect learning and play.

Learn more about Tot Trails!

Make a splash while learning all about water in Wonders of Water! Featuring a Stream Table, Bubble Hoop, Water Chimes, and a Plumbers Park area where you can build your own fountain, this exhibit encourages children to get their hands wet as they learn about cause and effect – and the many wonderful things that water can do!

Learn more about Wonders of Water!

Nano is an engaging and interactive mini-exhibition about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology for family audiences. Explore hands-on activities to discover the importance of things too small for the eye to see in nanoscale science.  

• Build a Carbon Nanotube
• Play “I Spy ” to discover nano in familiar places
• Compare the relative effects of static electricity and gravity
• and more! 
   

Developed by the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Nos. ESI-0532536 and 09040143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Here We Grow!, Port Discovery’s own agricultural exhibit, introduces children and families to the processes, products, and people who work on farms. Here We Grow! explores farming through themes of science and technology, history, local ecology, global economics, and art. Interactive exhibit components will immerse children and students into the world of farming!

Support for Here We Grow travel has been provided in part by Maryland Soybean Board, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, Allied Milk Producers, and Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. The Here We Grow! exhibit was developed by Port Discovery with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under grant award number MA-10-13-0567-13, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, the Wright Family Foundation, the Maryland Soybean Board, the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, and other generous agricultural partners. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services

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