After a month of quiet halls and closed doors, Columbus’s beloved Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is flipping the lights back on.
Following its annual September shutdown for cleaning, maintenance, and a little behind-the-scenes magic, the museum reopens Wednesday, September 24, with plenty of new reasons to visit.
First up, a treat for the little ones (and their parents who know every “creature power” by heart). COSI is welcoming a brand-new traveling installation, Wild Kratts: The Exhibits. Based on the hit PBS Kids series, the two-part exhibit invites kids to dive into the ocean, explore animal habitats, and unlock the “creature powers” that make wildlife so extraordinary.
It’s designed for ages 3 to 9, but let’s be real: grown-ups will be tempted to test their inner Kratt brother, too. The exhibit runs through January 4, 2026.
On October 11, COSI will launch The Science Behind Pixar, an interactive exhibit that peels back the curtain on the artistry and math that bring characters like Buzz Lightyear and Dory to life. Visitors can expect hands-on activities, eye-popping displays, and plenty of moments where you realize just how much science hides in your favorite animated films.
Of course, COSI wouldn’t be COSI without a little fun for the adults.
After all, we were all COSI kids once, too! On October 9, the museum’s 21+ series returns with COSI After Dark: Apocalypse. There will be cocktails, food, and zombie survival games among the exhibits. Tickets start at $20 in advance.
So whether you’re wrangling kids, planning a night out, or just craving some hands-on science, COSI’s grand reopening has something on the calendar for you. To learn more about what COSI has going on, head over to cosi.org.
