We have been to the children's museum several times as we have a membership which was bought for us when we first moved here. We have been with friends and on our own. The museum is an interactive building with a number of fun and engaging activities for kids which are educational too!
Activities on the first level when you enter include but are not limited to:
-Building blocks
-magnetic shapes (magna tiles)
-light box room where you stand against a light absorbing wall, a light will flash and when you move your shadow is seen on the wall (kids love this and making silly or clever shadows). you also can write with light pens.
-Light screen with falling leaves, as you raise your arms your shadow can catch them and make them fall.
-A fish tank with a variety of fish
-Cloured tubular sticks which once inserted into holes transfer light and you can create lit up pictures
-There is a 'make it move' area with various activities using cogs, wheels and dials to make marbles, balls and bricks move in various ways.
-A bubble and water play zone where you make small and large bubbles and can even make a giant one surround you. There are various water tables with containers and water wheels which will keep your water babies busy.
-One section is all about air pressure with wind tunnel where you can watch various items be pushed up through tubes using wind power or you can stand in a wind tunnel and feel the breeze while watching ribbons and ropes dance.
-There is a woodworking section where kids can use hammer and nails to design and build their own creation using wood, metal and plastic. Older children can do this unsupervised with adult permission, younger children must have an adult with them.
-One room is dedicated to arts and crafts and while we have never had enough time to do this (because there is so much else to do) it looks like it has a good variety of materials to use.
The second floor is a smaller area which if you as a parent want to sit while they play this is where to do it. Some activities here include: ** edit to add this area changes from time to time with different activities and displays.
-A magnetic wall with geometric shapes for creating pictures and patterns
-Clear walls where plastic geometric sheets can be used to create pictures
-An area like a house with table and chairs and pretend food items (this has recently been changed to a Leoardo da vinci area complete with flying machine and interactive art activities.
-Musical instruments
-A quiet area for reading and looking at books
-A mirrored tube for crawling through
-Puzzles
In the basement
This is the cafeteria which offers a selection of hot and cold foods and drinks. Like most places it is over priced, however it is actually nice food which is not always the case in children's places. You can get organic options and if you are a member you get a 20% discount also.
There is a small area for kids to play which also has books, making it easy to enjoy your drink or food without the kids being completely bored.
This museum is sensory and interactive, parking is usually easy and staff are friendly. It is wheelchair assessable on all levels also. They host a variety of events throughout the year and constantly add to and change activities to keep it interesting.
As rated by parents:
9/10
I love this Children's museum. Its a fun engaging place to burn off a little energy while kids learn through play. We have also been to the children museum on Navy pier and actually think this is much better. Parking is easy unless its a very busy day. There is a host of interactive and educational equipment making this an ideal setting for learning through play. All my children can find something they enjoy. My 12 year old likes the light screens and woodworking area, my 8 year old likes the magnatiles, woodwork area and wind tunnel my 3 year old likes the 'make it move' section, light screen, bubbles. While the food is a little overpriced, because its actually tasty and wholesome food I don't actually mind paying a bit more. The different areas are changed or added to on a regular basis and there is a number of events held throughout the year. The only reason I have not given it a 10/10 is because I think there could be more for older children. I find everywhere we go that there is a huge lack of things aimed at children over about 10 despite the fact they ARE still children. The children's museum is not as bad as some places are, as my 12 year old can find some interesting things to do, but it is very limited for her. I do recognize it is aimed at younger kids but believe it could easily be made inclusive for slightly older children also.
I WOULD recommend this for the whole family especially children under 10. I WILL go again and soon. This is a HALF day activity.
As rated by a 12 year old:
7/10
I don't mind it here for a while. I like making things in the wood work area, but there is only so much you can do there. I like the interactive light screen and shadow box and sometimes the bubbles are fun. Overall this is not for my age group but for an occasional hour out its okay.
I would NOT recommend this as a good day out for my age but WOULD go again with my family if its just for a couple of hours.
As rated by an 8 year old:
10/10
I really like coming here as there is a lot of things to do. I like the wood work area and making towers with tiles. I like the bubbles and getting a snack in the cafeteria. Playing upstairs is fun too, but I do have more fun if I have friends with me. Sometimes they have different things to do here and I like that its not always the same. I WOULD recommend for my age and WOULD come back especially with friends
As rated by a 3 year old:
10/10
He loves coming here and building blocks, making bubbles and putting items in the wind tubes. He also really likes the marble run in the 'make it move' section. Overall he always has a good time and doesn't always want to leave. He WOULD recommend for his age and he WOULD go back.
TOP TIPS:
- If you are likely to go more than 4 times in a year you might want to consider the membership which gives you a discount in the shop and cafeteria as well as other museums.
- If you are planning to go at the weekend, a special day or school holiday you are best to either get there very early for parking or wait until after lunch when it generally becomes much quieter.
- Check the website before going for special events and closures for maintenance (we were caught out by this once)
Activities on the first level when you enter include but are not limited to:
-Building blocks
-magnetic shapes (magna tiles)
-light box room where you stand against a light absorbing wall, a light will flash and when you move your shadow is seen on the wall (kids love this and making silly or clever shadows). you also can write with light pens.
-Light screen with falling leaves, as you raise your arms your shadow can catch them and make them fall.
-Cloured tubular sticks which once inserted into holes transfer light and you can create lit up pictures
-There is a 'make it move' area with various activities using cogs, wheels and dials to make marbles, balls and bricks move in various ways.
-A bubble and water play zone where you make small and large bubbles and can even make a giant one surround you. There are various water tables with containers and water wheels which will keep your water babies busy.
-One section is all about air pressure with wind tunnel where you can watch various items be pushed up through tubes using wind power or you can stand in a wind tunnel and feel the breeze while watching ribbons and ropes dance.
-There is a woodworking section where kids can use hammer and nails to design and build their own creation using wood, metal and plastic. Older children can do this unsupervised with adult permission, younger children must have an adult with them.
The second floor is a smaller area which if you as a parent want to sit while they play this is where to do it. Some activities here include: ** edit to add this area changes from time to time with different activities and displays.
-A magnetic wall with geometric shapes for creating pictures and patterns
-Clear walls where plastic geometric sheets can be used to create pictures
-An area like a house with table and chairs and pretend food items (this has recently been changed to a Leoardo da vinci area complete with flying machine and interactive art activities.
-Musical instruments
-A quiet area for reading and looking at books
-A mirrored tube for crawling through
-Puzzles
In the basement
This is the cafeteria which offers a selection of hot and cold foods and drinks. Like most places it is over priced, however it is actually nice food which is not always the case in children's places. You can get organic options and if you are a member you get a 20% discount also.
There is a small area for kids to play which also has books, making it easy to enjoy your drink or food without the kids being completely bored.
This museum is sensory and interactive, parking is usually easy and staff are friendly. It is wheelchair assessable on all levels also. They host a variety of events throughout the year and constantly add to and change activities to keep it interesting.
As rated by parents:
9/10
I love this Children's museum. Its a fun engaging place to burn off a little energy while kids learn through play. We have also been to the children museum on Navy pier and actually think this is much better. Parking is easy unless its a very busy day. There is a host of interactive and educational equipment making this an ideal setting for learning through play. All my children can find something they enjoy. My 12 year old likes the light screens and woodworking area, my 8 year old likes the magnatiles, woodwork area and wind tunnel my 3 year old likes the 'make it move' section, light screen, bubbles. While the food is a little overpriced, because its actually tasty and wholesome food I don't actually mind paying a bit more. The different areas are changed or added to on a regular basis and there is a number of events held throughout the year. The only reason I have not given it a 10/10 is because I think there could be more for older children. I find everywhere we go that there is a huge lack of things aimed at children over about 10 despite the fact they ARE still children. The children's museum is not as bad as some places are, as my 12 year old can find some interesting things to do, but it is very limited for her. I do recognize it is aimed at younger kids but believe it could easily be made inclusive for slightly older children also.
I WOULD recommend this for the whole family especially children under 10. I WILL go again and soon. This is a HALF day activity.
As rated by a 12 year old:
7/10
I don't mind it here for a while. I like making things in the wood work area, but there is only so much you can do there. I like the interactive light screen and shadow box and sometimes the bubbles are fun. Overall this is not for my age group but for an occasional hour out its okay.
I would NOT recommend this as a good day out for my age but WOULD go again with my family if its just for a couple of hours.
As rated by an 8 year old:
10/10
I really like coming here as there is a lot of things to do. I like the wood work area and making towers with tiles. I like the bubbles and getting a snack in the cafeteria. Playing upstairs is fun too, but I do have more fun if I have friends with me. Sometimes they have different things to do here and I like that its not always the same. I WOULD recommend for my age and WOULD come back especially with friends
As rated by a 3 year old:
10/10
He loves coming here and building blocks, making bubbles and putting items in the wind tubes. He also really likes the marble run in the 'make it move' section. Overall he always has a good time and doesn't always want to leave. He WOULD recommend for his age and he WOULD go back.
TOP TIPS:
- If you are likely to go more than 4 times in a year you might want to consider the membership which gives you a discount in the shop and cafeteria as well as other museums.
- If you are planning to go at the weekend, a special day or school holiday you are best to either get there very early for parking or wait until after lunch when it generally becomes much quieter.
- Check the website before going for special events and closures for maintenance (we were caught out by this once)
