Combine the excitement over the historic Artemis II launch in April with ever-popular Lego bricks — and you have liftoff.
The Pacific Science Center’s “Artemis Adventure with Lego Bricks” exhibit runs through Labor Day and promises hours and hours of fun for Lego-loving kids. (If we’re being honest, this includes visitors who are kids at heart too). There are impressive Lego models, build stations, plus a Duplo area for the youngest engineers.
(Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
The best part? Getting kids excited about space and all the possibilities it holds. NASA’s Artemis program is about returning people to the moon and establishing a sustainable lunar base.
“Here, you see. You get inspired. You build. The fact that they have it for all ages is amazing,” said Seattle mom Lorena Soriano, who brought her 2½-year-old son to the member preview.
Space runs in family for Seattle mom Lorena Soriano. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
Her curly-haired toddler was “obsessed” with the Duplos, Soriano said. (The area rug beneath the Duplos is a moon, super cute touch.) His fascination with space might be in his DNA: mom is pursuing her master’s in space sustainability for lunar and Mars missions, and dad is working on the engine for the Human Landing System for Blue Origin. There’s even a Lego model of the HLS in the exhibit.
“We grew up with the ISS,” Soriano said. “These kids, they’re going to grow up with humans on the moon. They are the Artemis generation.”
(Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
Find “Artemis Adventure” in the West Exhibits building, next to the Laser Dome. The traveling exhibit was produced by Flying Fish and comes to Seattle after a 10-month run at Science World in Vancouver, B.C.
When you enter the exhibit, the first Lego build station is the lunar terrain vehicle. Build your own rover, then race down a timed double test track. There are also Lego stations for building an Artemis space camp, an Orion spacecraft crew module, and a Mars habitat.
(Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
Don’t miss the community art project tucked into the back corner of the exhibit. Each person takes a square and builds the tile following a numbered key. When complete, the tiles will make up a Lego mosaic mural. “Science World took about a month,” the PacSci staff member handing out squares said. “We’ll see if we can beat that.”
The Lego spacesuit photo op was another hit. These life-size spacesuits aren’t just any old spacesuits; they’re a collaboration between Axiom Space and Prada. The Lego version took 325 hours to build.
Look up! It’s the International Space Station, made of 29,532 bricks. There are also Lego models of Canadarm3, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. The professionally-built Lego models are stunning. Throughout the exhibit, there are platforms where kids can showcase their Lego creations too.
The International Space Station, made of 29,532 Lego bricks. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
While most of the exhibit is geared toward Lego enthusiasts, there is plenty to see and do even if Legos aren’t your main passion. Color in a spaceship and scan your drawing to send your spaceship to the big screen. Or try a touchscreen game, like mapping a crater or building a station. Take a break in front of the two movies, which show footage of actual astronauts.
If you haven’t been to PacSci in a while, there’s one big change you’ll notice right away. The gates are gone! The ticketing booth was removed from the Seattle Center side entrance in preparation for the World Cup. The courtyard is public now and it feels open and welcoming.
(Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)
If You Go
- Dates: “Artemis Adventure with Lego Bricks” at the Pacific Science Center, May 22 through Labor Day.
- Age Recommendation: All ages. The Lego build stations are at table height, but I would keep an eagle eye on waddlers who are mobile and put everything in their mouths.
- Location: The Pacific Science Center is located next to the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. Enter through Seattle Center and walk across the courtyard to the main entrance to buy tickets. The Denny Way entrance is closed.
- Cost: The Artemis Lego exhibit is included with general admission. PacSci uses dynamic pricing, and tickets are typically cheapest mid-week. Prices for Washington residents start at $24.70 for adults, $22.20 for seniors and $18.45 for youth ages 3-17. Children under 3 are free.
- Summer Hours: Starting Memorial Day weekend, PacSci is open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public courtyard is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Parking: The closest garages are the 5th Avenue Garage, the Mercer Street Garage, and the Theater Commons ADA Parking Lot.
- Public Transit: Seattle Metro Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 24 and D Line all drop off at PacSci’s entrance. The Monorail also gets you right around the corner — catch it at Westlake Center, also conveniently a stop on the Light Rail. PacSci and King County Metro have partnered up to offer one free fare on select modes of transport for adult visitors. Follow the steps here to access the offer.
