Children's Museum of Illinois — Attraction in Decatur

An Amazing Experience at the Children’s Museum of Illinois – A Hidden Gem for Families!

Our visit to the Children’s Museum of Illinois in Decatur was absolutely incredible, and I can’t recommend this place enough for families looking for a fun and educational experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a world of hands-on exhibits, interactive activities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made the experience truly unforgettable.

As a family, we’ve visited many museums over the years, but this one really stood out. There was something for everyone, not just my kids, but for me as well. From imaginative play areas to educational exhibits, every corner of the museum was filled with opportunities to learn and grow. My kids were absolutely enthralled by the hands-on exhibits where they could explore everything from art and science to construction and even water activities. It was amazing to see their faces light up as they engaged with each interactive display, from building structures to experimenting with physics. It was so much fun to watch them discover new things in such an engaging and playful way.

What truly made this experience even better was the fact that the museum wasn’t crowded. As someone who’s used to visiting bigger cities, where everything is typically packed with people, it was such a relief to be in a more intimate, calm setting. It made the entire experience feel much more personal and allowed my family to fully enjoy the exhibits without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Being from a big city, it was also refreshing to visit a small, charming town like Decatur. There’s something so peaceful about taking a break from the hustle and bustle, and the Children’s Museum provided the perfect escape. The museum’s layout was easy to navigate, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, making our visit smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, I highly recommend checking out the Children’s Museum of Illinois. It’s a perfect place to bond with your family, create lasting memories, and let your children explore and learn in a fun, stress-free environment. The museum offers so many engaging and educational activities that both kids and adults can enjoy. It’s an experience that will leave you wanting to return again and again.

We had such an incredible time, and I can’t wait to go back. If you’re in the area or even if you’re just visiting, don’t miss out on this hidden gem in Decatur. Trust me – it’s...

Update: visited again today and everything seemed really clean and smelled clean. The exhibits were fixed, I saw a table and benches added for duplo area (nice) and they were painting the party room green. I noticed a new-to-us area my son enjoyed (the 4 and under area) and he had fun painting on the glass wall and playing with kids. Thank you. 👍

Original: I know Howard Buffet pays to keep this open but does it have to be so obvious? It's a total shrine to cops. After the first floor was half cop stuff I didn't expect the 2nd floor to also be dedicated to cops. Want to have your birthday party there? Ok- but the room is surrounded in framed police uniforms. Felt like a cop break room not a kid's room. Even the duplo blocks are police themed. How about some nature stuff?

Everything needs a deep clean. The buttons and screens for many exhibits aren't working. My one year old enjoys it but I can't help but feel grossed out after touching things. More nature, less "cops are gods" please. Tell us about the lake we're looking at (through dirty windows) or something. Background music wouldn't hurt either. And more...

Don’t waste your money! Not worth the trip or the time. I remember going here as a kid and had a great experience. I brought my kids (4 and 6) today (June 2022) and was very disappointed! We arrived 10 minutes after opening and several exhibits were not turned on yet. I also noticed that several areas had not been “reset” from the night before. For example, the grocery store had very little items on the shelves- they were all still piled up in carts and baskets. Many of the dress up items were on the floor and not hung on the appropriate hooks. Many of the exhibits have buttons and I would say more than half of the buttons didn’t do anything. There were missing pieces at more than on exhibit. Other exhibits just didn’t work- the theater’s curtain was stuck closed, the ball was stuck on the clean water exhibit (just two of many examples). The craft station had absolutely no new paper. Every paper had already been colored on or cut up. My kids kept saying, “let’s just pretend it works.” I shouldn’t have to pay $9 a head to pretend your museum does what it’s...