open for
exploration

Tuesday - Sunday

9:30 am - 4:30 pm

$12  per person

Museum members and little ones aged one and under are free!

become
a member

open for exploration

Tuesday - Sunday

9:30 am - 4:30 pm

$12  per person

Museum members and little ones aged one and under are free!

welcome

to Rockford's Discovery Center Museum

where fun and learning collide! Created with curious children in mind, our museum blends interactive exhibits and engaging programs into endless opportunities to play, discover, and experience the magic of hands-on learning!

explore

our exhibits

Dive into our interactive exhibits where it’s encouraged to get hands-on!

featured exhibit

The Lab

Grab your lab coat and safety goggles – it’s time to step into The Lab! This hands-on space lets children experience what it’s like to be a real scientist. From exploring cutting-edge tools to conducting experiments, kids will get an inside look at the exciting world of scientific discovery. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in science!

– Explore high-powered microscopes to get a close-up view of plants, bugs, and tissues
– Practice weighing and balancing with our industrial scale
– Explore hands-on science with our glove box
– Watch a real centrifuge in action as it spins and separates materials right before your eyes

special events

Join us for even more excitement at one of our upcoming events.

Mar

22

10:00 am

-

2:00 pm

Learn from experts at the Winnebago-Boone County Farm Bureau about how agriculture affects our daily lives!

plan your next

visit

All the details to make your experience an epic adventure! Everything you need to know is here – from special exhibits, to travel and parking information, to dining suggestions, and ideas for other things to do around Rockford.

become a member

With a Discovery Center Museum membership, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits, plus unlimited fun and learning!

Let’s be friends!

Follow us on our social media channels.

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Calling all members! 📣🎶
Tomorrow morning from 8:30 – 9:30 am, YOU can experience our brand new exhibit, Melody in Motion! Have the museum all to yourself before we open and experience the incredible sounds of our new space.

Melody in Motion invites kids to dive into the world of sound, rhythm, and creativity through fun hands-on activities. Walk through a sound wave-inspired portal, trigger music with every step, and create your own musical masterpiece in a variety of immersive stations!

Highlights include:
– Harmony Exploder: Step into the spotlight and create an evolving song with friends
– Drum Circle: Test your rhythm skills in a colorful, light-filled space
– Music Waterfall: Time your moves to create music in this futuristic pipe organ experience
– Find the Beat: Choose your rhythm and vibe, and create your own musical world
– Mood Room: Change the sound and lighting for a relaxing, personal experience

Come explore, create, and make your own musical magic! ✨
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Calling all members! 📣🎶
Tomorrow morning from 8:30 - 9:30 am, YOU can experience our brand new exhibit, Melody in Motion! Have the museum all to yourself before we open and experience the incredible sounds of our new space.

Melody in Motion invites kids to dive into the world of sound, rhythm, and creativity through fun hands-on activities. Walk through a sound wave-inspired portal, trigger music with every step, and create your own musical masterpiece in a variety of immersive stations! 

Highlights include:
- Harmony Exploder: Step into the spotlight and create an evolving song with friends
- Drum Circle: Test your rhythm skills in a colorful, light-filled space
- Music Waterfall: Time your moves to create music in this futuristic pipe organ experience
- Find the Beat: Choose your rhythm and vibe, and create your own musical world
- Mood Room: Change the sound and lighting for a relaxing, personal experience

Come explore, create, and make your own musical magic! ✨Image attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment

38 CommentsComment on Facebook

Is this open to the public too?

So does this mean the HVAC repairs are done?

RaiYona Thornton this is what they were working on when we were there we gotta go backk!

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4 days ago

Artist Spotlight: Vincent van Gogh 🌻

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch artist known for his bold colors and swirling brushstrokes. His paintings were full of emotion, often capturing everyday scenes in an energetic way.

Interact with our stories this week! Vote in polls and share your thoughts as we dive into the world of Van Gogh!
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We had an amazing time hosting the Illinois/Indiana Children’s Museum Roundtable! 🎉

Staff from fellow children’s museums came together for a day filled with creativity, collaboration, and loads of fun. From lively discussions to engaging breakout sessions, we explored everything from exhibits to fundraising, marketing, and beyond. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us and made this day truly inspiring! 💡

Science Central
Children's Discovery Museum, Normal, IL
Wonder Works, A Children's Museum in Oak Park
Kohl Children's Museum
Kidzeum of Health and Science
Quincy Children’s Museum
Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Children's Discovery Museum of Central Illinois
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We had an amazing time hosting the Illinois/Indiana Children’s Museum Roundtable! 🎉

Staff from fellow children’s museums came together for a day filled with creativity, collaboration, and loads of fun. From lively discussions to engaging breakout sessions, we explored everything from exhibits to fundraising, marketing, and beyond. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us and made this day truly inspiring! 💡

Science Central
Childrens Discovery Museum, Normal, IL
Wonder Works, A Childrens Museum in Oak Park 
Kohl Childrens Museum 
Kidzeum of Health and Science 
Quincy Children’s Museum
Childrens Museum in Oak Lawn
Childrens Discovery Museum of Central Illinois

3 CommentComment on Facebook

Great day!! Thank you!!!

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