Grand Rapids Children's Museum — Attraction in Grand Rapids

Went for the first time with my 2.5yr old. There were a handful of other families there and a BUNCH of staff. It was so dull that we left within an hour. Tons of pretend play places, but very limited toys to pretend with (i.e. a Huntington bank section with literally nothing but a desk and a chair - nothing to interact with to pretend being a bank teller). Multiple kitchen areas that were very limited on supplies to actually use the gadgets they had (pizza, dish washing, a mixer for cupcakes but nothing but one silicone cupcake cup, nothing in any of the cupboards or fridges, etc.). There was a station to make your own paper mitten but dull colored pencils and no plastic needle that was shown as required to connect the halves. The bubble station would have been neat but the solution didn’t actually allow for bubbles to be made, especially the large one that supposed to go up and around the kid (got about 8in from the solution before bursting every time). There were four puppets that didn’t actually go together. The bee hive no longer was there. Staff didn’t interact with the kids AT ALL. They weren’t there to show kids what to do, to pretend with them in certain areas, or even to assist in the art project. There was a train table that was larger but could easily be replaced by using the one at the Plainfield township library. I have no idea how any 2-4 yr old would enjoy being there without AMPLE assistance from parents to figure out what is going on and engage the kiddo. It cost me $10 for my kid (and another $10 for myself) to walk around clueless as to what to play with especially since there was more open walking space than there was activities. Very disappointed after all the rave reviews I’ve read and we won’t...

This place is never open, post pandemic!

I used to come to this museum multiple times as a child to the museum all the time growing up in the late 90s. The last time I was inside of this museum was 2015. It was such a fun experience in my wife and I have the time could not wait to bring our own children to the museum to learn all about Grand Rapids. But it seems as I’ve gotten older this day in age post pandemic, it’s incredibly hard to visit this museum with my family and I now that my own children are-grown up. There always seems as if there is too many liberal policies in place that don’t allow the museum to be open as much anymore. That’s pretty sad when a Museum such as this is only open two days a week to non-members. This is tough because we visit several museums down in the state of Florida and they’re open every day of the week. They don’t have problems with wiping down parts of the museum at the end of the day. And have thousands of children go through the museum each and every day. My family has tried to come to this museum each time for the past two years and it’s always closed during the middle of the week. My daughter is very bummed because she’s heard so much about the place so she wants to go but it’s just never open.

**Overall, I understand hiring times are tough but we’re post Covid and the museum doesn’t need to be open just two days a week it’s a bit ridiculous you’re better off saving your time and your money and going elsewhere just pass this place it’s never...

Toddler heaven!

Just got a family annual membership as a Christmas gift and my 2 year old LOVES it...in fact I thought I lost her as soon as I went to check in because she was reveling in all the wonderful stations they have there, the cool yellow car was her 1st wonder (takes after her dad I suppose).

She absolutely loved the bubble and sand stations and there's just SO much for kids to do there from toddler up. Can be germ central and I do not recommend for babies, but if you have a baby also, wear them in a carrier and bring hand sanitizer and wipes. I make sure my daughter washes her hands when we leave and change her clothes at home (tis flu season!).

They have a very small gift shop behind the front register area and coat hanging area, and bathrooms.

I knocked off a star because parking can be a challenge, especially during peak times and winter when you might have to walk a bit. Parking options include paid street parking, I just signed up for the Motu app as I used all my quarters my 1st visit. There are a some paid parking lots in the area including the Main library. It can also get quite chaotic in there when busy. There are 2 levels and it is a relatively small space when you compare to say the GR Public museum John Ball Zoo or Meijer Gardens where we typically have annual memberships. There is plenty of seating for the parents throughout the upstairs area which is nice, especially when you are pregnant and tired. Just be careful not to...