Each of the exhibits in our Museum was built to inspire creative learning, from giving the kids the chance to play make-believe in a city designed just for them to helping them discover their inner scientist and artist with hands-on STEAM activities. All adventures are child-led, but parents and caregivers are invited to play alongside their little ones for a whole family experience you won’t find anywhere else in the St. Louis Metro East!
But the fun doesn’t stop at our gallery doors—our Discovery Garden and Sensory Garden encourage exploration in the great outdoors and grow a child’s appreciation of the nature that surrounds them. And be sure to visit Nickel Plate Station on the ECM campus to check out our modular railway and special attractions.
During every visit to Edwardsville Children’s Museum, your child will boost their creative, problem-solving, communication, and cognitive skills through an unforgettable day of play!
Put on a show! Pretend, act, direct, and have fun in our puppet theater!
Tinker, design, and innovate in this workshop designed to inspire creative thinking!
Little ones can experience what it’s like to care for animals in this two-story exhibit featuring a vet clinic, grooming area, climber, and education on pet care and service animals.
Play with native stuffed animals while learning about the ECM Micro Forest. Color a forest animal and watch it come to life in a virtual forest.
Dramatic play at its finest! Pretend to shop for groceries or work in the store, learn about healthy foods and push the grocery cart.
Learn all about police, firefighters, and paramedics in this hands-on exhibit that honors the incredible contributions first responders make in our community.
Create a masterpiece in our art studio. Experience working with a range of materials while learning about different artists!
Put on your apron and cook up something delicious in our wood fired pizza oven.
Explore nature with your little one in our Discovery Garden. This exhibit is full of hands-on outdoor fun. From a nature art area, sensory garden, and building area to a music and movement area and climbing area, this exhibit is designed to inspire a sense of wonder in the environment around us.
Grab the mail bag, put on your jacket and deliver the mail!
Explore and learn about the five senses in this garden with plants organized by: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.
Care for the babies in our Anderson Hospital Nursery. Featuring all of the things needed to care for newborns in the hospital, this exhibit aims to foster caretaking and empathy.
Dress up as a park ranger while exploring and learning about the animals and trees you can see in southern Illinois.
Scoop up some fun with our Annie’s frozen custard cart!
Learn about dental care, schedule appointments, and treat patients while working in our child-sized dental clinic.
Spend some quiet time reading with your little one in this cozy nook.
Built in 1895, ECM’s building was the original Historic Leclaire School House. Play pretend school, work puzzles, and learn about the historic Leclaire neighborhood.
From our wooden deck off the Canopy Treehouse, little bird-watchers can strap on their binoculars to search for feathered and furry friends hiding out in the Museum.
