Little Yo’s Home
A top indoor attraction for families in Taipei – the revamped Taipei Astronomical Museum is more fun than ever! The museum features a wide range of interactive exhibits that make learning astronomy fun for kids. Marvel at the stunning Milky Way, enjoy the children’s playroom enhanced with light and sound effects for a more realistic experience, and spend the whole day exploring spacecrafts on cosmic adventures or enjoying 3D shows!
For the 2019 winter break, the Taipei Astronomical Museum, Children’s Amusement Park, and Shilin Science Education Center jointly launched a special “Year of the Golden Pig Winter Passport” for just NT$199. Visit all three venues unlimited times within the validity period, available at all ticket booths. Limited to 10,000 passes, so parents, grab them while you can!
■ Exhibition Hall Ticket Prices: Regular NT$40, Concession NT$20 (for preschoolers and students), free for children under 5; Theater (Cosmic Theater, 3D Theater) Ticket Prices: NT$100, Concession NT$50
■ Address: No. 363, Jihe Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City
■ Phone: 02-2831-4551
■ Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 on Sundays, Tuesdays–Fridays; 9:00–20:00 on Saturdays (closed on Mondays)
■ Official Website
Date: 2019.1.18 (Friday)
The last time we visited the Astronomical Museum was to attend an astronomy family camp, where we learned a lot about space. Every visit to the museum has always been rewarding, and after its 2018 renovation, it’s become even more diverse and fun. We chose to come on the first day of the winter break, eager to see the museum’s brand-new look!
The ticket prices at the Astronomical Museum are very reasonable. There are both manual ticket counters and ticket vending machines, which accept coins or EasyCard payments. I originally didn’t think using EasyCard would be that useful, but that day, as an absent-minded mom, I actually forgot to bring my wallet. I’m so glad we had the EasyCard – I almost wanted to worship it right then and there, otherwise we would’ve had to go home empty-handed!
While waiting, watching the Montgolfier hot air balloon in the lobby became our entertainment – it rises every ten minutes, so fun!
Finally, it was our turn to enter. The moment we stepped into the permanent exhibition hall, we were absolutely amazed!
The permanent exhibition has three floors. The first floor includes the “Space Exploration Zone, Cosmic Kaleidoscope, and Earth Zone.” With dynamic lighting and visual effects, it feels like taking you into the mysterious universe. The visuals on the screens are ever-changing, and the Cosmic Kaleidoscope uses a nearly 360-degree circular interactive projection to display the starry cosmos. We observed the changes on the nearby screens while stepping on interactive star motifs on the floor – we had a blast playing!
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There’s also a “Q&A Kiosk” that kickstarts the journey of learning astronomy.
Space Exploration Zone – come on, follow the astronauts into the mysterious universe!
Many stations have specially designed slots where you can insert your ticket card to log your learning experience, which has also become one of Yo’s favorite parts of the visit. He makes sure to insert his card after experiencing each station XD
Step into the huge spaceship cabin and see what astronauts are up to in outer space and what they’re researching.
Gyro Chair – used for training pilots or astronauts, and it’s not easy to operate!
Combining manual interaction with machines makes learning astronomy anything but boring.
This is so cool! Put a vacuum-sealed bottle into a pressure chamber, use the air pump to pressurize it, press launch, and you can shoot an air rocket. Super fun!
Newton’s Third Law of Motion is demonstrated through hands-on operation in a very easy-to-understand way
The development of space exploration has a long history, along with discussions on Earth’s structure and history.
Approach the touch-sensitive large screen to start videos that explore the birth and formation of the solar system. The dreamlike sets are simply incredible!
The second floor is divided into the “Sun-Earth-Moon Zone, Solar System, Stars, Milky Way Zone, and Children’s Play Area.” The Sun-Earth-Moon Zone introduces the formation of the moon, the phases of the moon, and constellations. Sit in a space shuttle and go on an adventure through the solar system.
Wow, this place is so beautiful! A vast screen wall showcases the magnificent Milky Way zone. In front of you, over a billion stars form dazzling light patterns with varying color temperatures – the universe is truly stunning and mesmerizing!
There are also several stations where you can interact by touching to learn about the colors, magnitudes, and structural principles of stars.
The structure of the sun – in this zone, you can learn about the distances between the eight major planets in the solar system, and it’s astonishing to realize just how small Earth really is!
The solar system zone featuring the eight planets, comets, and meteors allows you to click on the on-screen menu to view related introductions – a great way to gain knowledge!
Some played games while others used the interactive devices to learn – turns out astronomy can be really fun after all. I challenged the game where you use gravity to drag and help planets fly several times before finally succeeding!
Yo found his own zodiac sign, Leo, and watched the video introduction very seriously.
Operating the star chart
And watching the dynamic movements of the moon.
The “QA Q&A Machine” is also the best knowledge refueling station.
A special feature is the “Children’s Playroom” added on the second floor of the planetarium – a space-themed playroom with cool and fun cosmic elements.
Opening hours:10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30. Each session is 50 minutes long with a limit of 60 people. Numbered tickets are distributed at the children's area service desk 20 minutes before entry. (Adults must wear socks to enter.)
Age range:Children in lower grades and below.
Unfortunately, Yo couldn’t go in, so mom had to ask the staff to let her in for a visit and some photos.
The playroom has many interactive installations such as light and shadow games, funhouse mirrors, light transformations, kaleidoscopes, and more.
Climbing into the space shuttle and pretending to be a cool astronaut will keep kids entertained for ages!
Picture book and block building area.
Look up – there’s a surprise waiting for you. There’s a mini track on the ceiling where every 10 minutes a little rocket takes off and circles the track, plus cute aliens pop out from Earth to say hello. Yo stood outside staring, completely captivated, wishing he could come in too!
The third floor of the planetarium features the “Astronomy Observation Area, Astronomy Research Area, Galaxy Area, and Alien Life Exploration Area” – the content is more advanced and suitable for children in higher grades and above.
Do you know what aliens look like? The topic of aliens has always been a mystery. Here, you can not only learn about friendly and unfriendly aliens but also create your own.
Send out radio waves to aliens XD
The movable astronomical instruments are super cool and fun!
This floor presents a broad range of astronomical knowledge, which was a bit too advanced for Yo.
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Even so, you can still get a basic understanding by manually operating the devices, so he didn’t find it boring!
When visiting the planetarium, besides viewing the exhibits, be sure to try out the new facilities. The “Space Adventure” on the 4th floor lets you board a spaceship for a 10-minute cosmic journey that’s thrilling and fun.
Ticket prices:Adults: 70 NTD, Children: 35 NTD. (For preschoolers and students) Children under 6 years old must be accompanied by a relative aged 12 or older to ride.
There’s a ticket machine onsite where you can buy tickets with coins or by tapping your EasyCard.
Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my wallet today and had limited funds, so I only let Yo experience it. When he came out, he shouted at me, “That was so fun!” Darn it, next time, Mom, I definitely want to come again (clenches fist).
Image source: Aibei Kids Parenting Network
Along the spaceship ride, you see various galaxies, the sun, black holes, and even aliens.
The most valuable part of raising children is that while accompanying them as they grow, you get to start your own life anew.
Astronomy used to be a subject I didn’t enjoy, but exploring answers and new knowledge with my child at the planetarium made the pursuit of learning lively and fun — and “astronomy” became a lot less annoying too.
If you also want to enjoy learning together with your child, discovering the joy of knowledge, come to the “Planetarium”!
[1+1=3 Play, Learn & Joy Lifestyle] Authorized Repost. Original Source: [Taipei Indoor Parent-Child Attractions – Shilin Planetarium (Astronomy Science Education Museum) Has Been Renovated and Is Even More Fun!]