We’re super excited to share that LEAP – a new interactive STEM museum and play centre – has opened in our region!
We’ve long lamented the lack of hands-on, educational experiences available in our region, so we were super excited to hear about LEAP. Opened in Morisset earlier this year, LEAP is a space where families can hang out, learn and play together: a place where mum, dad, nan, pop and children of multiple ages can all have a good time.
Imagine a mini Questacon merged with a Montessori-style play centre. Imagine a place stacked with non-electronic, hands-on activities that are fun and inclusive for the whole family. Imagine an area full of marble tracks, wooden pinball machines, soft play building blocks, LEGO pits and imaginative play areas. This is LEAP Museum: our region’s newest and coolest indoor activity.
Playing in Puddles visited last weekend, and we had an absolute ball. Scroll down to read all about it or click here to visit LEAP Museum’s website.
It’s learning that’s fun!
LEAP Museum was created by Ryan and Alice, who describe themselves best as, “two Lake Macquarie parents with a desire to do something innovative for families in this region”.
All of the wooden games – including the channel ball, marble runs, pin-ball-style “quad ball” and the incredible LEGO ball maze – have been designed and crafted by Ryan. These ain’t no cookie-cutter games you can get from Kmart – no no: these are one-of-a-kind bespoke creations made specifically for LEAP.
To Ryan’s absolute credit, these were the activities that we loved the most and found ourselves drawn to again and again. They were like Time Zone games in that they were hands-on and interactive, but they cut out the annoying bits – the screens, the coupons, the flashing lights and noise.
They were the kind of games that everyone could easily pick up, play and enjoy – even our toddler. But for those who wanted to give it more time, concentration and practice, it could also be mastered… and this satisfied the secretly competitive members of the family immensely.
LEAP has something for all ages and abilities
LEAP’s games and toys are suitable mostly for kids of around primary school age, but LEAP has this clever way of appealing to all ages and different personalities.
Have a kid (or adult) with energy to burn who likes to just get stuck in, have a go and then move on to the next activity – they’ll navigate towards the basketball hoop, footy table and race car ramps. Have a kid who likes to up their skills, resolve a problem, or master a task? They’ll be in their absolute element building the golf-ball run or trying to conquer the marble labyrinth.
There’s a huge room dedicated to imaginative play. It’s adorned in twinkling lights, fairy murals, daisy cushions and flowers. It’s a space that invites tea parties, ice-cream selling and fairy-wing wearing. Our toddler was in his element in this room and it was so inviting that even our primary-school boys couldn’t help but try on the dragon wings and set up shop too.
Parents, You Get To Do It Too!
Do you want to know the best bit about this place? The thing that we absolutely love?
LEAP Museum is an attraction that the whole family will love. This is a space where families from ages 1 to 80 will genuinely have a heap of fun together. This is an activity that encourages you – the adults – to play, build, collaborate and problem solve alongside your kids.
There are so many activities where parents are relegated to the sideline – to be the onlooker, the photographer, the snack provider – and at Playing in Puddles we get so excited when we find an activity where we, the adults, can throw down our handbags and get involved too.
Get there. You’ll have a ball!
We can’t recommend this place enough.
If you’re a family who loves board games, building fortresses or creating marble runs, you’ll love it.
If you’re a family who loves engaging in hands-on activities that entertain, educate, challenge and inspire, you’ll love it.
If you’re a family in need of some good-quality together time, get there: you’ll love it.
LEAP Museum
Getting there: Morisset is just a hop skip jump down the road for Coastie families. It’s just 12 min north of Wyee and 40 min from Gosford. Entry to the museum is outside Morisset Square centre. It’s upstairs and across the road from Domino’s.
Teachers and school groups: LEAP Museum welcomes school and preschool groups during school hours. Contact them to make arrangements for large group visits.
More information: They have air-conditioning, so this is a fabulous option for days when it’s freezing cold or steaming hot.
Age group: Everyone. This has something for everyone from 0 to 99!
Where: Shops 6 & 7, 35 Yambo St, Morisset.
Opening Hours – During NSW school holidays: Weekdays 10am-3pm, Weekends 10am-5pm.
Opening Hours – During NSW term time: Monday 9.30am – 1pm, Thursday 9.30am – 1pm, Friday 9.30am – 1pm, Weekends 10am-5pm.
Entry: Children: $20 (aged 1-18). Adults: Free (up to two adults per paying child). Infants: Free (aged under one).
No bookings are necessary. Admission is for the day, so re-entry is permitted.
Phone: 0425 458 258
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeapMuseum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leap_museum/
Website: https://www.leapmuseum.com.au/
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Header image ©Playing in Puddles.
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Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
