After nearly a year of closure due to COVID-19 mitigations, the DuPage Children’s Museum gleefully welcomes children back inside the iconic building for 90-minute Private Play Time.
Families can now explore, create, build, discover, think, play, and more – all during their very own 90-minute Private Play Time at DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM). The Museum has been divided into two separate play experiences. Each experience offers exclusive access to select exhibits for a small group of up to 10 children and adults.
“After months of planning and preparation for a safe return to in-person play, last Friday, the Museum team greeted our first guests in almost a year!” said Museum CEO, Andrea Wiles with great enthusiasm. “They were almost as excited as we are. Seven little boys and their three moms calmed down just long enough to have their temperatures taken; then they were off and running. So amazing to see and hear children laughing, squealing, and playing in our exhibits again!”
Choose ‘Explore’ or ‘Discover’
Guests can choose from one of two experiences: EXPLORE and DISCOVER. In the Explore Experience, creativity will shine as children explore light, shadow, and texture in Creativity Connection’s colorful space for collaborative play. In addition to exhibit experiences loaded with opportunities to imagine, design and build, this experience includes a hands-on art activity. Children can also expend a year’s worth of pent-up energy in Move & Groove, a newly-designed space where everyone can get their wiggles out and make some noise! Vibrant artwork, gross motor play, and unique musical instruments like the Chimasaur will entertain and delight.
Discover Experience
In the Discover Experience, guests will revel in the wonder of tinkering! Building options abound in Build It and Make It Move. DCM provides blocks, tubing, balls, gears, real tools, and more that children can use to test the energy of motion and to build self-confidence and problem-solving skills as they engineer one-of-a-kind structures. Discover experience guests can also explore the power of energy in AWEsome Electricity and AWEsome Air through circuits, towers, tubes and jungles of fun. In The Studio a hands-on art activity connects guests with their imagination and creativity.
“We went (Friday) morning and had a blast in the DISCOVER experience,” noted mom Marissa Kopp. “It was the first place we’ve taken any of our kiddos in a year! Our kids loved the experience. We greatly appreciated being back in your facility. We cannot wait to come back to EXPLORE the other side of the museum.”
Private small groups with children/adults
Each play experience includes up to 10 people in the private small group, including adults and children. Face masks are required to be worn over the nose and mouth of everyone ages 2 years and older. Each group is assigned a private restroom.
Safety protocols apply
“Guest safety is our top priority,” explained DCM Chief of Building and Making, Kimberly Stull. “To help provide the safest play experience possible, we have enhanced our already robust procedures. This includes small capacities in exhibit spaces and deep cleaning after each session.”
Reservations / Tickets purchased in advance
Tickets for Private Play Time must be purchased in advance. DCM is currently booking Friday – Sunday through March 21.
Beginning March 22, the Museum will be open Monday – Sunday. Learn more and reserve your Private Play Time today at dupagechildrens.org/private-play-time.
DuPage Children’s Museum has supported children learning about their world through play, creativity and experimentation for over 30 years. With a focus on STEM and Arts education essential for learning, DCM provides an incomparable early education experience for children and serves as a critical resource for caregivers, educators, and social service partners.
DCM understands that the pandemic has presented new challenges to parents and caregivers who need to connect with quality resources and to engage with a community of support. If in-person play is not right for you just yet, DCM offers additional accessible programming to ensure families continue to learn, grow, and thrive together. To find quality early learning resources for parents, children, teachers and community organizations supporting young children, visit dupagechildrens.org.
Photos and story submitted by DuPage Children’s Museum
