Exhibits
Some exhibits have been temporarily changed to follow current state guidelines.
|
Imagination Playground Children have a natural curiosity about building. With these oversize blocks, children and adults alike are encouraged to let their imagination run wild! This exhibit promotes cooperation and teamwork |
|
The Topography Table (currently off exhibit) Ever seen a topographical map? Ever try to explain that to a child? In this interactive exhibit, children can move the sand in the table and literally change the topography of the world they create. Make islands, peninsulas, mountains, lakes and rivers. Children will learn about many different landforms at this exhibit. |
|
|
Safe Haven Animal Shelter
Children have a natural curiosity about animals. Through interactive play, children will discover the important concepts of pets needing homes and how to care for a pet. They'll work together to help one of our "animals" mend a broken leg or get over a cold. You'll never know what kind of animals we are going to have at our shelter! 
| ||
|
9/11 World Trade Center Beams (currently traveling)
The Traveling Exhibit Two beam pieces from the World Trade Center Towers attacked on 9/11/2001 serve as the focal point in this exhibit. Unity, friendship, helping and patriotism are the themes of this exhibit. At the Talk-Back station, answer the question asked and post your ideas about unity, friendship, helping and patriotism on the board. Funded through the generosity of individuals and private foundations
|
| ||
|
What if...? This exhibit explores diversity in terms of disability. Phase one of this exhibit is now open thanks to the generosity of the Edmond and Alice Opler Foundation and Signing Time. This phase focuses on hearing loss/impairment. Learn basic sign language, about the parts of an ear, how soundwaves work, and what a decibel means. Future phases of this exhibit will focus on vision impairment, loss of limb and autism. This exhibit strives to help children understand that each and every one of us has something unique about ourself, and it's okay to be different!
| ||
|
Nanoscale: The Science of Small (Currently on loan to the Homewood Science Center) This exhibit promotes STEM learning through the exploration of "smallness." Learn about the nanoscale particles that you can't see with the naked eye and how these particles react to light. Parents, you are sure to learn a few things at this exhibit, too! Watch the calendar for our special Nano programs where we bring out even more experiments for you to try!
|
| ||
|
The Moo Cafe Funded by the Midwest Dairy Association, The Moo Cafe teaches children that dairy is in a lot of different foods. They'll make "dairy-licious" meals and serve it up to their friends and family. While visiting the cafe, don't pass up the opportunity to milk Clarabelle, the official Museum cow!
| ||
|
Route 66! In partnership with the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Illinois Department of Tourism, |
|
|
Dream-A-Dream Theatre and Dress Up Area The playhouse appeals to children’s imaginative side and their desire to tell stories, be seen and heard. Youth “players” cooperate to create their theatrical masterpiece, learning together that the possibilities are endless. Language skills also increase, as children assemble a story to tell to their live audience. Lots of choices are built into this area - children can select to use puppets, dress up in costumes or perform on the stage. If they can dream it, they can do it!
| ||
|
Friendly Market At the Friendly Market, children will discover their familiar grocery store in new ways. Our kid-sized market is filled with all the elements of a real store! This is the place where children can become a shopper, check-out clerk or re-stocker. The market focuses on nutrition and food choices. It also encourages math skills with cash registers where food costs are entered.
|
| ||
Tuneful Tree House
Several levels of fun await at the tree house. Find the tunnel and crawl underneath. Try out a couple of musical instruments after climbing the steps or choosing the more challenging "rock ramp". Keep going up and what a view! The playhouse attached to the tree house provides another area to explore.
Several levels of fun await at the tree house. Find the tunnel and crawl underneath. Try out a couple of musical instruments after climbing the steps or choosing the more challenging "rock ramp". Keep going up and what a view! The playhouse attached to the tree house provides another area to explore.
|
Build It!
This area is an every changing area where children get to explore a variety of activities. Sometimes there are tools but all of the time there is making involved. We've explored the aerodynamics of paper airplanes as well as ramp making! |
| ||
Air Maze
Everyone knows what goes in must come out…. but where? Kids will experiment with the force of air and cause/effect as they push a brightly colored cloth or ball into the Air Maze. Kids will soon realize that by moving a flapper they can change the air flow. Are they fast enough to catch the item? If they can, it’s simply air-mazing!
|
Move It! (The Race it On!)
At this exhibit, children will learn about gravity, motion, momentum, force and energy. Roll the ball down the ramp to see if you can land it in the bucket. Race your ball down the roller coaster- does it have enough momentum to make it to the end? For a taste of human momentum, take a quick trip down the slide! Don't let gravity get you down!
|
|
| ||
|
|
Tummy Time
In this area, infants and toddlers will discover their world using their muscles and all of their senses. This exhibit is designed to encourage infants to spend time on their tummies. Previous guidelines have encouraged parents to keep their babies on their backs. However, research has shown that very young children do not properly develop their arm and hand muscles, which affects their large and small muscle control. Infants and toddlers have opportunities to go over, under, and around, and to develop spatial pre-math skills. Caregivers comfortably watch and guide their children through important developmental experiences. |
| Tummy Time Learning Standards.pdf |
Health Quest
With funding from Advocate Christ Hospital and the Edward and Alice Opler Foundation, youngsters can “search” for knowledge of good health in this exhibit. Kids can experiment with various tools of the trade, such as the stethoscope and a variety of other doctor tools. They'll be in awe when the drum beats to the rhythm of their own heartbeat, but what happens to the beat when they vigorously exercise?
Children who develop an effective understanding of basic health promotion can establish the foundation for achieving and maintaining personal health. This knowledge will help kids make informed wellness decisions now and throughout the rest of their lives.
With funding from Advocate Christ Hospital and the Edward and Alice Opler Foundation, youngsters can “search” for knowledge of good health in this exhibit. Kids can experiment with various tools of the trade, such as the stethoscope and a variety of other doctor tools. They'll be in awe when the drum beats to the rhythm of their own heartbeat, but what happens to the beat when they vigorously exercise?
Children who develop an effective understanding of basic health promotion can establish the foundation for achieving and maintaining personal health. This knowledge will help kids make informed wellness decisions now and throughout the rest of their lives.
| Health Quest Learning Standards.pdf |
Ambulance Assistance
Children will be allowed to immerse themselves in the experience of what it takes to be a part of a paramedic team in an ambulance. Whether they are driving a critical patient to the hospital or saving a life in the back of the ambulance, children will have the 411 in this 911 exhibit.
Water Adventure and Beachcomber Island
Funding from the J. Edward Mahoney Foundation helped bring this exhibit to life. Water's fluid nature means explorers can make waves, interacting with liquid as it flows, falls and makes things float. Children get a multi-sensory experience as they feel the water splash, hear it gurgle, and see it move and lap against the banks. Children learn to appreciate the properties of this abundant and life-giving element. “Swim” across the water to our favorite Beachcomber Island. Comb the beach to find the “hidden” objects. How many can you find?
| Water Adventure Learning Standards.pdf |
Go Fly a Kite
Exploring and soaring is the name of the game! Our friendly fliers create their own kite, hook it onto a pulley and watch it take flight across the Museum. The destination is only limited by their imagination! Children express creativity and imagination as they design their kite. Through “flying” a kite with a pulley system, children discover mechanical wonders and observe the science concepts of force and motion. Youngsters will also get a better sense of “if-then” relationships as they watch their kites fly higher and faster.
Exploring and soaring is the name of the game! Our friendly fliers create their own kite, hook it onto a pulley and watch it take flight across the Museum. The destination is only limited by their imagination! Children express creativity and imagination as they design their kite. Through “flying” a kite with a pulley system, children discover mechanical wonders and observe the science concepts of force and motion. Youngsters will also get a better sense of “if-then” relationships as they watch their kites fly higher and faster.
| Go Fly a Kite Learning Standards.pdf |
|
Explore Art Studio
Activities involving all the senses abound in our Art Room! Numerous forms of media will be available so young artists can experiment and create their own masterpieces, surely to be hung on their home “Refrigerator Art Gallery”. In this exhibit, children will be able to express their artistic talents as they paint and create sculptures and recycled art. Click below to see which learning standards can be applied to this exhibit, as it is currently displayed. |
|
| art_room_learning_standards.pdf |
|
Firehouse Friends Whether they are trying on firefighter gear, driving the fire truck, or participating in fire safety activities, children will experience what firemen do everyday to protect our families.
Police Pals
The job of the police is to protect our lives, protect our property and maintain order through the enforcement of laws. Children will learn that police officers have many jobs and skills. By role playing, youngsters gain a better understanding and respect for the broad responsibilities of our police officers.
| ||||
Multi-Purpose Room
The Multi-Purpose Room is a great location for performances, group meetings, special occasions and much more. In this room, children may be audience members or performers, teachers or students, observers or doers, workers or players - depending on the activities and events that are planned. Most importantly, what a great place to schedule a birthday party! Special thanks to Jim and Joan Buschbach for help bringing this room to life.
The Multi-Purpose Room is a great location for performances, group meetings, special occasions and much more. In this room, children may be audience members or performers, teachers or students, observers or doers, workers or players - depending on the activities and events that are planned. Most importantly, what a great place to schedule a birthday party! Special thanks to Jim and Joan Buschbach for help bringing this room to life.
