What are the ScienceFest dates and hours?

ScienceFest runs Saturday, July 25 from 10:00–17:00 and Sunday, July 26 from 13:30–17:00.

Is there an admission fee for ScienceFest?

ScienceFest is free for museum members and included with regular WonderLab museum admission for non-members.

Are the activities suitable for very young children?

Yes—programming is family-focused with activities designed for a range of ages, but some demos may recommend parental guidance for safety.

Is parking available at the museum?

Yes; parking options include on-site and nearby public or metered spaces—arrive early to secure close spots on busy days.

Is the event accessible?

WonderLab provides accessibility information; check the museum’s website or contact the information desk for details on specific room access and accommodations.

Are food and drinks allowed inside demo areas?

Food is best kept to designated break areas or outdoors; check signage and staff directions for exact rules during ScienceFest.

hands-on-wonderlab-sciencefest-bloomington-family-science-weekend

WonderLab ScienceFest at WonderLab in Bloomington, Indiana, is a two-day, hands-on celebration of curiosity and practical science located in the heart of Monroe County. Over July 25–26, the museum fills with pop-up labs, live demonstrations, and close-up animal encounters designed for all ages. Walk from exhibit to exhibit and find energy demos that light up a room, chemistry stations with safe, dramatic reactions, engineering challenges that beg to be built and tested, and a gallery of natural-history pieces like the skull station that invite you to handle and ask questions. What sets ScienceFest apart is the way it stitches formal exhibits and pop-up, educator-led labs into one continuous learning loop. The festival highlights core physical sciences—energy, temperature, electricity—while inviting kids and adults to test hypotheses, measure results, and iterate on designs. Expect build-and-break engineering benches, static electricity and lightning demos that tie everyday objects like socks to big-picture concepts, and chemistry exhibits that focus on safe materials with striking visual outcomes. Animal meet-and-greets introduce local fauna and museum animal ambassadors, adding tactile context to biological lessons. The museum itself functions as a gateway to Bloomington’s broader outdoor and academic scene; visitors often combine ScienceFest with a stroll around downtown or a visit to nearby Indiana University. The event’s educators have years of classroom and museum experience, so demonstrations balance spectacle with clear scientific explanation. ScienceFest is free for members and included with museum admission, making it approachable for families and group visits. Saturday’s program runs 10:00–17:00 and Sunday’s session is 13:30–17:00, offering flexible windows to drop in. Practical details matter: plan to arrive early on Saturday for hands-on labs that fill quickly, and bring layers because demonstration rooms can vary from cool lab spaces to warmer demo stages. Cameras are welcome; educators often stage demonstrations for clear viewing angles. Accessibility info and exact room-by-room schedules are available through WonderLab ahead of the weekend; check the museum’s information desk on arrival for a printed schedule. Families seeking quieter experiences should consider weekday museum visits, while ScienceFest delivers concentrated energy, enthusiastic instructors, and a weekend of discovery. Whether you’re a local or passing through Bloomington, ScienceFest provides a vivid, educational alternative to traditional summer festivals—an active invitation to touch, test, and understand the world. Bring a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes; the museum campus includes interactive floors, staircases, and nearby lawns for breaks, so light walking is part of the day. Food options are available nearby in downtown Bloomington—pack snacks for younger children or plan a meal after your visit—and parking is available at or near the museum with both metered and free spaces depending on time of day. Check WonderLab’s website before you go for schedule changes and safety notices.