Families looking for a fun, lively, learning excursion this summer don’t have to look far. Central Illinois is home to several family friendly museums that offer engaging permanent installations and special events for all ages. Here is a look at four great destinations within 90 miles of home, including one right here in Springfield.
Illinois State Museum
502 S. Spring St., Springfield
“Science, history and art, oh my! There is something for everyone at the Illinois State Museum this summer,” says museum educator Elizabeth Bazan.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibitions is “Changes: Dynamic Illinois Environments,” which transports visitors through 500 million years of environmental change – from the time when Illinois was tropical through the Ice Ages and into the diverse landscapes of the modern era. “Changes” features interactive elements, an introductory film, hands-on specimens and more.
On the museum’s lower level, children can become a museum curator in the Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum. Children dig for fossils, create an art exhibition, examine specimens under a microscope and more.
For a change of pace, stroll through the upstairs galleries. In addition to varied collections and detailed portraits of life and lifestyles through the decades, the art gallery features the new Civil War exhibition “Illinois Quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois.”
Special summer programs include the Bob Steffan film series on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Super Saturdays, story times and much more, all free of charge.
In addition, children ages 6-10 are invited to Kids Unplugged, 1800s Fun and Games Kids’ Night Out on June 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The evening includes a make-and-take toy, old-time games, a snack and time in the Play Museum. Cost is $20 for one museum member child, $15 for each additional child; nonmembers $35 for one child, $30 for each additional child.
For details about these events and the rest of this summer’s programs, visit www.museum.state.il.us or call 782-7386.
Children’s Museum of Illinois
55 S. Country Club Road, Decatur
For first-time visitors and frequent guests alike, excitement builds from the first glance into the busy and colorful Children’s Museum of Illinois. A perennial favorite play-and-learning house since its opening in 1995, the museum offers two large floors of health, art, physics, sports and commerce experiences. Even the youngest guests are free to play and roam on their own in two self-contained play areas where visibility is high and the props are low.
“Each exhibit at Children’s Museum of Illinois is hands-on and interactive,” says executive director Nicole Bateman. “Experience climbing to new heights on Luckey’s Climber or unleash your artistic side on our paint wall on the first floor. Upstairs test your skills in the hospital, report the news as a television anchor or learn about cultures in other parts of our world. We also have a gift shop that carries a variety of educational toys and popular exhibit pieces that children will enjoy long after their visit.”
The museum is situated on the shores of Lake Decatur and is also a quick drive to the free wooden playground and Scovill Zoo in adjacent Scovill Park. “Pack a sack lunch and eat in our mess hall or enjoy the beautiful park setting outdoors,” Bateman adds.
One of the finest aspects of this family friendly museum is not only its emphasis on fun with learning, but its manageability. Large enough to hold a variety of themes and activities, it still doesn’t overwhelm the senses or exhaust its younger visitors and their parents. The same thing goes for its gift shop, which is large enough to hold an excellent assortment of teaching-and-learning toys, but can be satisfactorily experienced in just several minutes. Combining it with the free playground next door when it’s time for the children to run around is a bonus.
Open Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission for everyone ages 2 and older is $5, CMofIL members admitted free. Admission changes on special event days. Be sure to visit the museum website for road construction updates and recommended routes for easiest access.
For a schedule of special events and directions, visit www.cmofil.org or call 423-5437.
Caterpillar Visitors Center
110 SW. Washington St., downtown Peoria
The area’s newest museum just opened last October and features nearly 50,000 square feet of one of early childhood’s favorite things – diggers!
“The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world,” says Caterpillar spokesperson Lisa Miller. “From the humble beginnings of the first tractor” to present day, Miller continues, “it’s all right here on Peoria’s beautiful riverfront. Your experience begins in the bed of a massive two-story Cat® 797 as you take a virtual ride into a customer’s mine site.” From there, learn about Caterpillar’s history in the Heritage Gallery.
“Young children and children at heart particularly enjoy our product gallery,” says Miller. “They are able to sit in actual equipment and see what it is like to be a real-life operator.
“Fun for all ages, the Caterpillar Visitors Center has something for everyone.”
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Last ticket sale and entry is at 3:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $7 with discounts for senior citizens, active military and veterans, and military 55 years and older; children 12 years and younger with an adult admitted free (limit four children per paid adult ticket).
Visit www.caterpillar.com/visitors-center/plan-your-visit for complete ticket, event, parking and exhibit information. Note: no food or drink allowed in the Caterpillar Visitors Center. Visit www.peoria.org, and Peoriariverfrontmuseum.org for nearby dining options, information about the Peoria Riverfront Museum, PowerDome Digital Planetarium, Giant Digital Screen Theater, and more.
Children’s Discovery Museum
101 E. Beaufort Street, Normal
Bring on the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer with a visit to the Children’s Discovery Museum. Just a short drive from Springfield by car or train (the Amtrak station is literally next door), the CDM is a great place to spend a day with the entire family, says public affairs spokesperson Heather Young.
At the CDM, where the mission is “to inspire the love of learning through the power of play,” children and families enjoy three stories of hands-on fun.
“The surprising array of exhibits and programs keeps curious children and playful grownups happy for hours, including the two-story Luckey Climber, Kids Medical Center, AgMazing and more” says Young.
In Healthy Kids Healthy Future, visitors learn and play in a Pizza Kitchen, Fresh Market and outdoor exhibit, Dig It. Arts Ink features the Imagination Theatre, Math in Music, Art Studio and gigantic Paint Wall.
Admission is $6 per person ages two years and older. Children younger than two years are admitted free of charge.
Museum hours in June, July and August are Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays September through May, including May 27. For more information, visit ChildrensDiscoveryMuseum.net .
DiAnne Crown and her son visited many museums together while he was growing up. They say, “Start out well rested, dress for comfort, allow plenty of time for discoveries, take snacks and water, and enjoy whatever the day brings.” They still do.
This article appears in Capital City Parent April 2013.
