So, perhaps I'm a bit biased because we have the coolest Kid Museum at my home in Washington State (Everett, to be precise), but my family found the Museum to be kind of meh. But, the front desk lady was dellightful and extremely personable. The thing that really stood out in epic-ocity was the bee exhibit. My granddaughter absolutely loved it. Everything else was kinda lackluster. However, honorable mention definitely goes to the Bed of Nails exhibit. It was a true bed of nails, with a pillow provided for comfort!! In conclusion, if you happen to be in Springfield, MO, give this place a visit. Otherwise, don't bother making a special trip, you could be disappointed. read more

Discovery Center - Museums Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

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Such a neat place. Every interaction with staff was positive! Yes some attractions could be updated or use some work, but overall this place is amazing. So many things for all ages. read more

What a fun place to take kids for a day trip. It has four floors of hands on activities that keep the kids discovering for a good three hours. For the small ones there's lots of rooms to explore like the market where they can play cashier or shopper. For the bigger kids there's a tech room with robots and flight simulator. We bought a annual membership so we can take the grandkids regularly. read more

A great family-friendly place we found while on a weekend road trip that took us to Springfield! Having two small children under the age of a required admission price, and the fact that the Discovery Center does military discounts made it an extremely affordable outing for us, which is even better. This museum is very easy to find, has lots of adjacent parking, and has a great array of activities across an impressive span of age ranges. You can truly find things of interest, here, whatever your age. There is a small interior play area that is separate from the rest of the museum that is designed specifically for ages 0-5, which I thought was really nice. Lots of things for kids who aren't yet school age to explore in a very hands-on way, and contained enough that it wasn't nervewracking for parents. Older kids are only allowed in this area with supervision, so you don't have to worry about enthusiastic bigger kids stampeding around crawlers and toddlers. There were activities with giant Lego blocks and shape sorters, physics experiments where you loaded chiffon scarves into a fan-powered clear tube "cannon" and could blast them into the air...my seven month old baby loved watching them waft down. Vacuum hoses that sucked sponge balls through an elaborate tube maze and shot them out again...toddler loved that. Other, "older kid and grown-up" parts of the center had a pit where you could "dig" for "dinosaur bones" in chopped up tire rubber, displays and hands-on experiments on different types of energy, the physics of thermal imaging, etc. Lots of water and gravity exhibits, a genetics lab and cellular biology section, and a section on world cultures. Loads of interesting things...we spent several hours there, without anybody losing their cool, which is pretty amazing, with a seven-month old and a two-year old. I would say that while it's a great interactive museum, there are portions that are definitely showing wear and tear, unsurprising given how hands-on everything is. The world cultures floor was very cool in concept, but in notable need of some TLC...looking a little threadbare. But overall, just a lot of fun and a great value. IF I were in town again, I'd take the kids back there in a heartbeat. There is a lot there they could grow into. It's a great resource for the community. read more

Discovery Center - Museums Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

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I adore hands-on museums and STEM/STEAM centers. I've worked at one and hope to get back into the field after finishing my degree. If it wasn't so far from home, I would absolutely wok at the Discovery Center! The place is amazing. There are so many engaging exhibits that put STEM principles right into your hands. I found myself interacting with an exhibit and going, "Oh! This is just like this idea we went over in physics/chemistry/engineering/science class!" Rather than being put together like a giant playplace, like some museums, the STEM learning areas were thoughtfully constructed with specific leaning outcomes in mind. The place does a LOT with its budget. (which, judging by the catalogue of posters taped up to fill blank wall space, needs some more $$$! Get these guys a grant!) I don't remember the name, but the community role play area was very cute, too. One of the people I visited with works in news and she got a kick out of it. During our visit, this was the area most populated by kids. There were interactives and objects all over the place, from doctor tools to puppets, that were very neatly stored when not in use. But the highlight of our visit had to be the staff. One staff member in particular, a young man named Hunter, noticed my group's interest in the exhibits, and took the time to show us particularly cool uses. He showed us the Tesla coil and told us about the man it was named after; I got to hold a hissing cockroach while my friends made faces; he turned on the Van der Graaf and explained how it worked; and informed us of the amazing grape project growing on the roof. His customer service was OUTSTANDING, all because of our enthusiasm towards learning. If you have a kid who's interested in science, or you're an adult who remembers how to have fun, visit the Discovery Center. At $12 per person, you absolutely will not regret it. read more

A lot of the things my child would like aren't open or a employee operated. And I can find any employees to operate them. It is extremely dirty and a waste of money read more

Amazing place! Every time I'm in town with my girl we love to go here. Great staff, and she loves the imaginative play sections on the top floor. The house, store etc. She also loves the water and gravity play sections on the main floor. Great experience every time we come here. read more

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I took my nephew here for his last birthday and we all had a BLAST-adults and children alike. I swear you could spend five hours at this place and not get bored. They have every activity that you could ever imagine and then some. We dug for dinosaur bones, had our hair stand on end from electricity, built a bridge, watched a dead animal be devoured by flys and even got to see a baby chickens heart beat in an incubated egg....AMAZING. My nephews favorite thing was riding a bicycle across the high-wire, they do charge a couple dollars extra for this activity, but I think it was well worth it! They strap you in tight so it is safe, you would have thought he had taken flight by how excited he was when he finished. Take your family here, you won't be disappointed! read more

Good exhibits, up to date, clean. Lots of room to move. Participates in Passport Program. Free parking. Family of four admission $30 range.

I love finding these places when I am traveling with the little man...Loved that they had a room for 5 and under. Pros: Open pretty early on a rainy day, CLEAN, not crazy busy Cons: My little man is free but I pay full price (I still find this weird, seeing as there is nothing for me to do) Not a lot of staff, some of the exhibits were closed so it was confusing where to go. Overall a good place to hang out for a couple hours to hang on a rainy day! read more

Just moved here from Ft. Worth, Texas and our membership to the children's museum there works at the discovery center too. My toddler really enjoyed it. We will definitely come back. Only con- a little hard to navigate with a stroller read more

From Chicago and visiting Springfield for the first time with the family. For the inexpensive ticket (compared to Chicago museums) this place was outstanding. Exceeded expectations and the whole family was engaged in the various exhibits. Did not think that the Center would be so large with quality, interactive exhibits. Very impressed and worth the day trip to Springfield! read more

My aunt took us to the Discovery Center last weekend, and we were so impressed! My 8-year-old son had a ball, and - over the course of 5 action-packed hours - I think we managed to see every floor. We were also lucky enough to run into two fabulous employees who showed my son some of the exhibits and really made science come to life for us. I really recommend this attraction for both kids and adults. You'll all have fun, and I'm sure that everyone will walk away with a new appreciation for science and a new fact or two (or more!). I can't wait to go back!!! read more

Took my 6 and 8 year old nephews with my sister in law and they had fun. It was $40 for two adults and two kids, we spent about 2 hours at the discovery center so I guess the price for time was pretty reasonable. The kids ran around like madness playing with stuff. We did some reading and learning and working through stations together. We almost didn't find the stuff in the second building and there really were not many people over there so I think most people probably don't find it. A good way to spend some time with kids. read more

Lots of broken exhibits and exhibits that you had to go see at certain times. Lots of things to do but required staff which was never present. Also staff refused to refund ticket for bike as we found out he was too short to ride it. read more

Came to pass some time before a movie at the Alamo Draft house. The kids had a lot of fun and so did my husband and I. There were lots of interactive things for my kids (age 11 and 5) and all of the employees were really nice and helpful. We did some DNA testing that my oldest thought was pretty cool, so cool that he walked around with a vial of his spit in his pocket for the rest of the day. We will definitely be back next time we are in Springfield. read more

Took my 6 year old grandson this morning. He didn't want to leave! Lots of stuff to do. When you pay the admission price, it's for the full day so you can leave to eat or whatever and then go back. A particular member of the staff (man with long graying hair) was so sweet and patient with my grandson and he had loads of fun with the things the staff member was showing him. We had an awesome time. I will definitely be back with my other grandchildren. read more

Absolutely amazing. Cheap to get in and so many awesome things to do for all ages. We went with a big group and everyone of us had a great time. Highly recommend if you are in the Springfield area. Spent several hours there and still didn't get to do everything. read more

Great place for kids. Plenty of interactive exhibits and activities. Staff were friendly and helpful. One of the girls offered to take my little brother and sister into the area where they keep their critters. She was very kind and informative. read more

The Discovery Center itself is receiving this review, the Dr. Seuss expo they had however was a sad disappointment. All it consisted of was 4 books being read every 30 minutes, and a photo op with a kid in a cat in the hat costume, and that was it. The Discovery Center itself, the kids absolutely loved. My wife and I even thought many of the things they had there were pretty cool. If there was one complaint, it would be rudeness from some of the parents who would push through or cut in front of people, or would let their kids run wild and ruin things for others. We plan to bring the kids here again, and check out anything we may have missed this last time. read more

Awesome place for all ages!! Very hands on and a family could spend 4-5 hours here. Reasonable price and if you have a groupon it is well worth the money. I had a ton of fun as an adult. We saw half of the Center and thought it was all, and still had a great time then we found the other side and it was even better. Definitely recommend read more

Not worth the money at any age. Unsafe place! Exposed cords everywhere, dirty play area for kids under 5. Lots of stairs and drop offs to trip and fall . Lot of the stuff is broken or unable to understand how to operate it quickly. Big place, such a disappointment. read more

Participated in Springfields first OYE here last night. It was a museum after dark experience! Let me just say this, it was adults only, science is cool but science mixed with a little booze is awesome! Not only did my wife and i have a great time but we also found something fun for our kids to do on a rainy day! We will definitely be coming back to this museum with our kiddos! read more

This place was loads of fun. We went during our vacation in Springfield visiting family. The kids had a great time and so did we. Lots of cool stuff to look at and interact with. Highly recommend checking it out if you have kids and need something to do, especially if you want to get inside out of the heat. read more

My girls have been to this museum growing up and were excited to take our cousins from out of town. We were severely disappointed in how run down this place has become. While the price was not too bad for what used to be here, the children were entertained for 20 minutes and that was pretty much just seeing what was there or lack there of. Super bummed at this experience and definitely won't recommend. read more

I love bringing the kids here and it's fun for grown ups, too. The staff is friendly and interactive with the customers, shopping is fast and quiet. Tons to do so make sure to spend a few hours to explore everything. read more

Went with my daughter & granddaughter to nature center today. It was awesome watching my girls play & learning a few things.

Several of the exhibits were closed or broken. I was disappointed the bike only has certain hours of operation and when I asked about how to visit the exhibits, and specifically about the bike, this wasn't told to me. We did have a good time with our five year old nephew who loved it all. My 11 year old twins thought it was just okay. read more

found it online under things to do in springfield. took my 5 and 2 year old. they had a great time. small children have fun just playing and the older children could really learn a thing or two. we unfortunately ran into some kind of school trip. their were kids everywhere they didn't know how to behave properly. not the facilities fault at all, just bad timing on our part. overall, great for children at a reasonable price. read more

A quick web search for Kid activities in Springfield brought up Discovery Center -- What a pleasant surprise! we wanted something to engage a two year old and found several exhibits and activities that more than entertained. And, clearly there was alot to see for kids ages 2-15+ There is a similar facility in Baltimore, MD, but I thought Springfield Discovery was more focused, better organized and less...well...grungy. It's a shame that centers like this always have their share of exhibits not functioning. But, Discovery in Springfield still seemed fresh and fun. A fast look around the gift store got a yawn. But, we got more then we came for! A perfect place to spend part of a rainy afternoon! read more