Imaginarium of South Texas, Laredo, TX

The Imaginarium of South Texas is a children's museum and learning center, located in Laredo, Texas. In the 1980's Cecilia Martinez Claflin was working at the Nuevo Santander Museum. She felt there was a need for hands on learning experience for children and so she worked to find funding and a place to create such a facility. Her dream eventually came true in 1990 when the museum was incorporated. The Laredo Children's Museum opened in 1991, a year after getting incorporated. In 2007 it was decided the museum needed a new name to better describe what they were about. It became the Imaginarium of South Texas, which describes what the place is all about. It is a facility bent on using the imagination of children.

The museum is partnered with a community college, community center, and center for the arts. They are also in partnership with TexNet, a science foundation to help educate. The goals of the museum are to help get the community involved in an interactive and fun way, but also to be available for visitors to Texas.

The Imaginarium is located on San Dario Street near the Mall del Norte. In the summer they are open Monday through Thursday 2pm to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 8pm, and Sunday 12pm to 6pm. Winter hours will vary slightly, closing a little earlier during the week. Special occasions can change the hours as well. Admission is $3 per child and $2 per adult. This is one of the most inexpensive children's museums in the country, and they offer a break for adults since the place is geared towards children.

Field trips are welcome to book group tours via reservation. The weekdays around 4pm are usually slower than the weekends. Strollers are not allowed in the museum, and no food or drink is allowed. The museum is part of the mall structure, so guests are able to leave and eat at the food court or restaurants in the area. Parties for birthdays or other events are welcome.

Thinking Tinkering is a new exhibit as of August 2008. This exhibit is part of the permanent exhibit now. It shows engineering, design, and automation. Cars, rockets, and other vehicles are shown. There are also materials for children to play with. Body Carnival examines the science of the body to show how it works and even the laws of physics.

Exhibits that have been a part of the museum for many years include the Magnetic Wonder Wall, Shadow Room, Light Play, Union Pacific Train Station, and Critter Corner. Critter Corner explores the corn snake, tarantula, empire scorpion and snails. There is also the Construction Zone, Mercado or market, Toddler Fun Zone, Painting Place, and Dream Studio. The dream studio is filled with Movie Maker, RoboLab, and Create It workshops. There are also camps available for children.

Every so often Imaginarium of South Texas will have new programs and exhibits. Target is offering an event at the end of 2009 for children to learn and participate.