NORMAL -- The Children's Discovery Museum helped get Harry Potter fans in the mood for his next movie adventure by hosting Potterpalooza on Thursday night.

About 130 children and adults gathered at the uptown Normal museum for a rousing game of a muggle version of quidditch, otherworldly snacks, a hunt for horcruxes, magic tricks using real science and other activities.

When asked if he plans to see "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" when it debuts July 15, Adeline Schulz, 12, of Bloomington had a simple answer: "Oh yeah."

He and his friend Jacob Springwood, 13, of Normal came dressed as students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Also dressed in capes were a set of twins enjoying "troll toenails and dips" (tortilla chips and salsa, cheese or hummus). They were not Fred and George Weasley, but Michael and Ella Story, 7, of Bloomington.

The twins and their three siblings enthusiastically said they also want to see the sixth film in the series based on J.K. Rowling's books.

Michael said his favorite part of Potterpalooza was making a drinkable orange "potion" which he called "phoenix tongue."

His elder sister, Peris, 9, said she enjoyed picking up a magic wand from the Ollivander's table. She said the wand was made from an oak tree and had a phoenix tail feather wrapped around it - and it chose her.

One of Potter's nemeses, Professor Dolores Umbridge, was mean-spirited enough to give the children homework at the event. At each station was a riddle that children answered for their horcrux hunt list.

Helping out

Illinois State University science students gave a presentation in which they used liquid nitrogen to freeze a rose and shrink balloons.

Most of the activities were planned by the museum's part-time college staff members who "grew up with the books," said Shelly Hanover, visitor services and volunteer coordinator of the museum. "They've done a fabulous job."

For youngsters still in need of more magical fun, the museum and ISU will host a Potter-themed camp the week of July 5.