Six reasons to visit the Children's Discovery Museum

The Imagine Air Maze is a favorite section of the museum for many visitors. Pop in a scarf or a fluffy ball and wait to see where it shoots out. A machine blows air that pushes the lightweight items through the clear tubes, and you can change the direction that the objects go by flipping small doors open or closed.Children who love farm machinery will be delighted by the Children's Discovery Museum's AgMazing exhibit, where they can sit in the driver's seat of a red Case tractor and pretend to operate a combine. The combine even includes a video display, which provides the feel of driving through fields of corn.Water Works! is one of the museum's newest exhibits. Children will enjoy manipulating the water to change its flow as it moves through pipes and wheels. Smocks and hand dryers are provided, but if your child has a tendency to play extra hard, you might consider bringing an extra shirt to change into after exploring this exhibit.View the list »
The Amazing Ball Machine is just as amazing as its name implies. Both kids and adults are captivated by it. Turn a handle, and watch the colorful balls go, go, go! They loop up, down and around. Plan to spend a good amount of time just watching and listening to this machine in action.

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The Children's Discovery Museum in Normal, Ill. offers three-stories of hands-on fun for kids to explore. The whole place is full of exciting adventures, but view the list to see six of the top reasons why your kids will love a trip to the Children's Discovery Museum.

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The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays, except during June, July and August and select school holidays; when open, Monday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $6 for both children and adults. Kids under two are free. All museum exhibits are covered in this fee, and readmission is permitted at any point in the day.

The museum regularly offers special programming for children and families. These include homeschool classes, early childhood programs, day camps and family nights.

The Children's Discovery Museum is located in Uptown Normal at 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal, Ill. Call 309-433-3444 for information.

Schedule a field trip to the Children's Discovery Museum into your homeschool plans this year. View the list to discover six reasons why you'll be glad you did.

View the list
  • The Amazing Ball Machine is just as amazing as its name implies. Both kids and adults are captivated by it. Turn a handle, and watch the colorful balls go, go, go! They loop up, down and around. Plan to spend a good amount of time just watching and listening to this machine in action.
  • Water Works! is one of the museum's newest exhibits. Children will enjoy manipulating the water to change its flow as it moves through pipes and wheels. Smocks and hand dryers are provided, but if your child has a tendency to play extra hard, you might consider bringing an extra shirt to change into after exploring this exhibit.
  • Children who love farm machinery will be delighted by the Children's Discovery Museum's AgMazing exhibit, where they can sit in the driver's seat of a red Case tractor and pretend to operate a combine. The combine even includes a video display, which provides the feel of driving through fields of corn.
  • The Imagine Air Maze is a favorite section of the museum for many visitors. Pop in a scarf or a fluffy ball and wait to see where it shoots out. A machine blows air that pushes the lightweight items through the clear tubes, and you can change the direction that the objects go by flipping small doors open or closed.
  • The Children's Discovery Museum has the world's only climber that hangs from the ceiling. It might look intimidating, but the structure is actually quite sturdy. Wind your way up through the Luckey Climber's maze of ropes and platforms, wave at your friends and family below, then make your way back down to check out the museum's other exhibits.
  • Where else are kids encouraged to paint on the walls? Children can express themselves artistically by painting on these special, clear walls, while their friends and family watch from the opposite side. When the work of art is complete, wash it away, so another child can create a masterpiece. Smocks and sinks are provided for this messy, but memorable, experience.
View the list
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, Peoria Homeschooling Examiner

Meghan Ross is a homeschooling mother of two young children in central Illinois. She has been working with children for 15 years, in church, public school, and homeschooling settings. She believes that good books and hands-on activities make lessons come to life for both children and the adults...

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