Looking for a family-friendly adventure to make this season unforgettable? The spring activities at McWane Science Center in the heart of downtown Birmingham offer the perfect mix of fun and education for all ages. Known for its interactive exhibits and engaging events, the science center provides a welcoming space where families can enjoy the wonders of science, technology, and discovery.
This spring, it’s brimming with hands-on activities and experiences that will spark curiosity and ignite a love for learning in kids and adults alike. Here are five must-see activities to put on your calendar this season:
1. Playing with Light
This traveling exhibit is open now through May 25! Step into a tunnel made of 20,000 tiny LED lights, and then watch what happens when they start responding to you. In Playing with Light, you don’t just look at the exhibits; you become part of them.
Full-body interactive experiences invite visitors to explore light, lasers, and lenses in surprising ways. Freeze your shadow in place, mix colorful beams of light, discover how you can “shake” your own hand, or send a laser bouncing through a stream of water. Paint with light using virtual brushes, create digital designs, and see your artwork projected onto the wall. It’s playful, hands-on, and full of moments that make you stop and say, “Whoa.”
2. Brickology
Brickology is back, and it’s bringing all the joy of playing with LEGO®, without the price tag or the cleanup at home. This fan-favorite experience is packed with open-ended ways to build, test, and get creative together.
New this time, guests can step into the Brick Maze where classic mini-fig characters help guide the way. As you puzzle your way through this brick-built adventure, you’ll discover that half the fun is seeing where your curiosity leads next. There’s no “right” way to play here, just plenty of chances to experiment and try something new.
3. Alabama’s State Fossil: February 14
Beginning February 14, McWane’s lobby will feature a giant reminder of Alabama’s ancient seas. Hanging above you will be a Basilosaurus, Alabama’s official state fossil, a massive prehistoric whale that once ruled the warm coastal waters here about 34–40 million years ago.
This long, serpentine sea mammal may look a little different from today’s whales, but it tells a big story about the deep past when southern Alabama sat under a shallow sea.
See this incredible piece of natural history right here in downtown Birmingham, a powerful reminder of the world that existed long before ours.
4. Big Machines Day: March 7
Big Machines Day at McWane Science Center is getting even BIGGER. This year, the popular event is expanding, which means more machines to explore and more ways to experience how these powerful tools work.
From towering trucks to heavy-duty equipment, Big Machines Day gives visitors an up-close look at the machines that build, lift, and move our world. With more vehicles and more excitement than ever before, it’s shaping up to be McWane’s biggest Big Machines Day yet.
5. Shark Kingdom: March 13
Shark Kingdom is swimming into McWane’s IMAX® Theatre this spring, and it’s a must-see for shark-loving kiddos. This epic family adventure dives into some of the world’s most beautiful and remote shark waters, bringing audiences face to fin with these incredible ocean animals.
Follow shark heroes Jess Cramp, Liv Rose, and Cristina Zenato as they explore the kingdom of sharks, come up close with these awe-inspiring creatures, and uncover the secrets that help protect them. Shark Kingdom is an exciting way for young explorers to learn more about sharks and why they matter to our shared oceans.
With so much to see and do, McWane Science Center is the ultimate destination for springtime fun and discovery. Visit for a few hours, or make it a whole day to create lasting memories with your family while learning and exploring together.
Get more information about ticket purchases, directions, parking, and more to plan your visit to one of these spring activities at McWane Science Center in Birmingham! We can’t wait to see you there!
