KidsWork Children's Museum — Attraction in New Lenox

Really sad I feel the need to write this. I emailed them on December 23rd and requested a response back and didn't recieve one. Understanding the holidays, I wanted to give it time but here we go. I was really anticipating this place opening and between the awful contracting (ex: everything there is way too high for kids to reach, water table, that astronaut they advertise, unless you have a parent to pick them up for the picture and one to take the picture, forget it...rocket area, literally everything needs stools kids have to wait to use, or parents to pick them up. That jungle gym area is dangerous for kids 3 and under.) You'd think they wouldve built some risers or a step around the water table the first week, but instead just cheap 12 inch stools made their appearance a month later (and only a handful of them). Makes me sad for kids in wheelchairs, too. You couldn't even put those glow sticks in and out of the holes because they werent drilled properly. Not to mention parents constantly hitting thier heads on the pods). The no sight lines, the AWFUL layout doesn't give any clairity to what/where you are, the always unfinished sections, and the cheap toys per section. It is absolutely not worth it. I got a pass before it opened (with the excitement for it opening last spring and having an outdoor area).... it's nothing more than a giant daycare vibe with the exception of maybe 3 things. I'm embarrassed when my friends ask to go now (they have other passes so we would bounce around) and i was hyping this place up before it opened, just to tell them how unexciting, disappointing and NOT worth going it is. It shows someone had a vision and someone inexperienced who has no idea the height of a child, put things together to create extremely tight spaces, 0 sightlines, a mess of a maze. I have no idea how this place passed fire code because God forbid, that'd be a nightmare. It feels like a rat race when you're there. It shocks me to look up the board of directors being in child development and they let them open the doors to what feels like a daycare center. It looks rushed, thrown together, choppy, and even months later just always has something not working, broken, it's a mess. I've been to every other children's mueseum around, and it shows they have not done thier homework. It bothered me no one took the initiative to make it better, or commicate empathy for how bad it really is. Half the toys don't work and I could sit here and break down every station and explain why (literally beside the art room, dino area, vet and stage, even that is crooked though). Like the car area, there's no actual way to take apart and put together the engine. What's the point? There's no learning beside the around the world part, which is the nicer area, but still unfinished or falling apart already due to the cheap things they buy or put up. I even offered to give solutions in my email to a lot of these things but not even getting a vague response is disappointing. Makes you wonder if it's a scheme for the amount they charge vs the expierince you get. (Not kidding. Most places like that, IF they charge adults its usually half the price). I have to say (most) of the people who work there are super friendly and nice (had 1 "meh" encounter) but you can feel the tension there. I was really disappointed about the lack of communication to Members about the true nature of what is going on. I just found it really unacceptable and was mad about the money spent, but lesson learned. They act like they did a favor by extending the pass, but it didn't even make up for the transition time from Frankfort, and the place wasn't, and STILL isn't finished, so therefore the extention doesnt make sense. Each time I go there's one new thing working, and 3 other things broken or out of order. Sad because Frankfort had a charm to it, although it was small it was inviting and cozy. This is the...

Closing the downtown Frankfort Museum was unfortunate but understandable. It was outdated, small, but had a type of charm to it that made it perfect for children. When the news of a new and modern children’s museum was announced in New Lenox the vibe was optimistic and exciting. So once it opened I was excited to see it. The immediate vibe I got once I entered was I just walked into an airplane hangar. It’s literally a giant airplane hangar with white walls, white ceilings, and a bunch of cubicle like areas that are themed. Why didn’t they at least paint some of the walls or at least decorate them? To my surprise everything is built ‘extremely’ cheap and for only being open for about five months you’d expect everything to be finished and working properly. Nope not the case. A makeshift fire truck with little laser hoses to point and put out fake fires wasn’t working properly and now all the laser hoses have been removed. The ‘under 2’ area is comically bad. No chairs to watch the little ones, a few toys, and super tiny. Also, everything is so high for kids to reach. They have some step stools now but you need to stack them to get high enough. Most of the activities they have at all this kids stations are pretty basic. Coloring, cutting things, and arts and crafts. Water table is a joke. Dinosaur pit is cool though except that they built a level that nobody is allowed to go on. Why build it so high? Besides that it seems very cheaply built and very poorly designed the overall message that the museum seems to be about is learning. Learning about different cultures, the planets, wind power etc. But it seems like very little care was put into this place when being designed. Plus if your have more than one child and you’re alone with them it’s very difficult to watch them both because of the design of the museum. No where to sit and watch your child if you need too. For being a brand new facility I was expecting more interactive things to do and better facilitie. It’s literally a giant airplane hangar with cheaply built cubicles and poorly designed things for kids to do. Will your children love this place though? Absolutely….but from a parents prospective it’s not somewhere you would drive to if you’re 45 minutes away. Will we back back? Yes because we live close and it is worth to let your kids run around and burn energy. Staff is...

I had a membership for the Frankfort location, but once the plans were announced to move, I didn't renew so that I could wait and see what he would look like. I had such Hugh hopes with it moving to New Lenox, but upon entering the new facility, I was disappointed. Sure, for some families, this will be a good place to visit and let the littles burn off energy. Parenrs pay the same price and kids and there are hardly any places for them to sit when kids want to spend extended times in areas, so it gets crowded and overwhelming fast. Some parenrs didn't encourage their kids to pickup after themselves, so play items were all over. If a child requires mobility devices to get around, be mindful of that when visiting. The walls were very builder grade and felt unfinished. There were three employees on the day my family visited, and that seemed insufficient.

The world clock wall falls short of expectations. Here’s a suggestion. Put up actual clocks—digital and analog—for the various countries represented in that play area.

The small kids play area is tucked in a corner and the blue walls don't work. And get rid of the TV! Encourage kids to play with blocks, read books, and explore their interests. Incorporate Montessori learning elements. Add a rocking chair for nursing or parents who are just tired of being on their feet.

Did I miss a sensory room?

The dinosaur dig area is disastrous. Many older kids and their caregivers ignored the sign to not be on upper level. God forbid someone falls and hurts themselves! Routine walkthroughs could help here.

And that side door that's going to lead to another area? Put a siren on it. I'm not sure if the woman was already in the museum and stepped out or if she hopped the fence and came in.

Water Works isn't a big splash.

No food or drinks allowed in play area, so why not have a small cafe or even just tables and chairs by coat space so families can take a break with their little ones to hydrate, eat a light snack, and go back to playing? I did observe many parents with their coffee cups, so it doesn't seem to be enforced or monitored.

Overall, I was very disappointed. I am all about shopping small and local, but I have to make my budget work for me, so I cannot say I will come back when the value doesn't compare to the investment. It takes me 30+ minutes to get here now, and I'd rather make the drive to Oak Lawn...