Activities for Kids

6 Local Children’s Museums You Haven’t Visited Yet

Lesser-known children's museums hide out of sight but are well worth discovering. Read about our favorite secret places for hands-on play. We promise you haven't played them out ... yet.

By Taryn Bickley February 19, 2014

If you’ve already conquered Chicago Children’s Museum and Kohl Children’s Museum, then it’s time to find kiddie fun further afield. Head to lesser-known children’s museums that hide just out of sight but are well worth discovering. Click through our gallery for the 411 on secret places for imaginative play, interactive games and engaging exhibits. We promise you haven’t played them out … yet.

Discovery Center Museum – Rockford

Nominated for a “Best Museum for Families” award by USA Today, the Discovery Center Museum -- part of the Riverfront museum campus -- offers plenty of enrichment in the arts and math, recreational experiences and fun. Housing more than 250 exhibits on two sprawling floors, the focus is on stimulating topics like “Ag-Zibit”, an agricultural feature with tractors and pretend cows for milking; “Body Shop” where you can learn about the human body and WIFR News Studio, an interactive newsroom where kids can channel Matt Lauer. Its most recent addition chronicles the accomplishments of Janice Voss, a Rockford astronaut and hero.

711 N. Main St., Rockford (815-963-6769 or discoverycentermuseum.org). Open Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $8 per person.

Have you visited any of these museums? Let us know about it in the Comments section below.

— Taryn Bickley