One day during the December school holidays my brother and I took my daughter to the Sci-Bono Centre in Johannesburg. We had heard so many good things about the place and felt it was about time we paid a visit.
I was initially reluctant to go there is because of the location of the Sci-Bono Centre. It is located in the city centre of Johannesburg in an area that is known for its high crime levels. Since my brother was with us and doing the driving, I felt more at ease.
Getting there was easier than I thought it would be. There is secure parking just outside the Centre with a security guard controlling access and also monitoring the parked cars.
The entrance fee to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre was inexpensive, even by South African standards.
Inside the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Inside there are multiple displays, most of them interactive with explanations about how each item works. My daughter had a blast trying her little hands at everything and trying to see how everything worked.
Also, the friendly and helpful staff is available throughout the centre should assistance be required. There are electricity displays, physics, word and communication games, engines, chemical displays – fun stuff and educational stuff. My daughter just loved the fact that she could try everything by herself. They try to cater to all age groups with different displays but some items may not be ideal for kids under the age of six.
I would advise going as early as possible. We arrived just after 10:00 but by 11:00 it was getting busy and crowded with longer waiting times for some popular displays.
There is a little coffee shop on the premises if you feel a bit hungry after all your explorations. We spent about 4 hours there – considering the price of the entrance fee and the amount of learning we experienced, I thought it was worth every cent.
Other activities at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre also offers a holiday programme for kids and often have specific science themes running throughout the year. A place to explore what the world is about and how it works!
Have you ever been to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg or a centre that also offers scientific exploration? What did you enjoy most about it?