During our visit, three instances occurred. I will also say that we visited this museum in February 2023 and loved it, had absolutely no problems whatsoever and were excited to come back. I'm extremely disappointed to write this negative review. I'm giving the museum two stars because my kids liked the ball exhibit at the front.

1. I walked into the museum and, instead of being greeted kindly, I was told I couldn't bring my coffee into the museum. My son had already began climbing on the first floor structure. I said I needed to watch my son, and I would stay right by the garbage can. I had never been told this at any children's museum, and my kids and I went to two in the Chicago area the week before. The way that the person spoke with me wasn't kind either, and I didn't appreciate being greeted in a rude manner.

2. My friend had made reservations for our children to enjoy the 0-3 playroom area. I was with my 2-year-old daughter and my son as well, who is 5 years old. My husband was not present at the museum during this time, so I was solo with both kids. We got to the entrance of the 0-3 area, and the woman working there asked how old my kids are. I said, "5 and 2 years old." I was told my son (who, by the way, went to this exact area in February 2023) couldn't come into the play area. I said, "What do you mean? What do you do with siblings? I can't be the only solo parent/guardian here with more than one child." She said, "Sorry, but he can't come in." I said, "Listen, we have a reservation. My daughter wanted to come." And they FINALLY let us in for a few minutes after I agreed that I'd stay "right by" him. Then, she came up to me AGAIN and rudely pointed out that my son was "playing" in an area that was "only developmentally appropriate for ages 0-3". She said he was supposed to sit on a bench and watch my daughter. LOL. I said, "You know what? I changed my mind. He's actually 3." I got my kids and left that area. My son was extremely upset about the way the woman spoke about him as if he wasn't there. We don't go anywhere where we aren't wanted.

3. My daughter was playing by the water table. Suddenly, another girl, who was at the station directly next to my daughter, threw up in the water table. I grabbed my daughter and walked away from that area and that family immediately. Then, I saw that kid walking around the museum 5 minutes later! I was astonished that she was allowed to stay. So, I went to the front and asked to speak with a manager--Justin. When I asked why she was allowed to stay after throwing up, I was told by Justin, "I'm not a doctor. How do I know she's sick? We don't kick people out of the museum just because they throw up." I said, "That's literally our school policy. For both of my kids. If they throw up, they go home. I don't want to get sick, and I don't want my children to be surrounded by sick children." The way Justin spoke with me was incredibly rude. Two separate times, he told me he needed to "end the conversation now". I would have reprimanded my 5-year-old if he ever spoke to me the way Justin spoke with me, a paying patron, who visited this museum.

It's truly a shame that all of these incidents occurred. I do hope that, at a future time, the museum can look closely at their policies to see what's working/not working well so customers can have an optimal experience.