Courtesy of Snapology
Budding builders and creators have a new spot in St. Louis to hone their design skills. This Saturday, the region's first Snapology Discovery Center will host its grand opening.
The space teaches engineering, science, physics, and literacy concepts through creative, interactive programming. Kids can tinker with LEGOs, tube maze walls, soft building blocks, and more while learning about entertaining topics like superheroes, Minecraft, and robotics.
Snapology serves children from 2 to 14 years old. Two mothers with backgrounds in math and science launched the concept in Pittsburgh in 2011, and it has since expanded to more than two dozen locations across North America.
The St. Louis location was started by Peter Auffenberg, who previously worked at a high-end furniture retailer but was inspired to start a Snapology center of his own after his grandson was born.
"We have a class called ABC123 for real little ones," Auffenberg says, "and we have 2.0 kits to build a variety of things—animation with LEGOS, video-game design, and robotics."
Courtesy of Snapology
After-school LEGO programs are nothing new, but Snapology aims to be the first place in St. Louis to offer parents a brick-and-mortar Discovery Center. This means parents won't have to wait for schools or community centers to offer Snapology; they can sign up for classes, camps, and workshops whenever it fits in their schedules.
The Discovery Center also allows Snapology to be a hub for play dates. It will offer open play for $8 per hour, with kids over 5 allowed to be dropped off at Snapology for up to three hours. (The space's staff are subject to FBI background checks, and the space has a secure check-in process, though parents are welcome to stay and play with their children as well.)
The center will follow the Kirkwood school schedule. "When the kids are off school, we're open," says Auffenberg. "We've already planned a couple classes for election day." View Snapology's class calendar here, and sign up for a free introductory class.
Courtesy of Snapology
Snapology's Discover Center is handicap-accessible and will host "Adaptive Play-Time," when children with special needs can play in a private, encouraging environment. During these times, Snapology will typically be closed to the general public, allowing children and their family members to play freely in a supportive, fun atmosphere.
See also: Sensory Saturdays at the Zoo Provide an Outlet for Kids With Special Needs
Snapology also offers birthday-party packages, workshops, and will soon be in local schools for after-school enrichment classes.
Families are invited to a free open house at Snapology on Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Kids can play with LEGO bricks while parents check out the variety of classes, camps, and birthday parties offered at Snapology.
Denise Bertacchi is a mom on a mission to find all things fun for kids to do in St. Louis. Read more at stlmotherhood.com, or follow her at @stlmotherhood on Twitter and Instagram.
