Edwardsville Children’s Museum Exhibits

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!

girl playing in the sand

Puppet Theater

Sponsored by 

Put on a show! Pretend, act, direct, and have fun in our puppet theater!

makerspace

Makerspace

Tinker, design, and innovate in this workshop designed to inspire creative thinking!

STEM Forest

Sponsored by 

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.

Animal Hospital

Animal Hospital

Sponsored by 

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.

Market Picture

Market

Sponsored by 

Dramatic play at its finest!  Pretend to shop for groceries or work in the store, learn about healthy foods and push the grocery cart.

Community Heroes

Sponsored by 

Learn all about police, firefighters, and paramedics in this hands-on exhibit that honors the incredible contributions first responders make in our community.

Art Studio

Sponsored by 

Create a masterpiece in our art studio. Experience working with a range of materials while learning about different artists!

Pizza Parlor

Pizza Parlor

Sponsored by 

Put on your apron and cook up something delicious in our wood fired pizza oven.

Discovery Garden

Discovery Garden

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.

Post Office

Post Office

Grab the mail bag, put on your jacket and deliver the mail!

Sensory Garden

Sensory Garden

Sponsored by 
Chris and Darlene Azar

Explore and learn about the five senses in this garden with plants organized by: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.

baby nursery

Baby Nursery

Sponsored by 

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.

flowershop

Flower Shop

Sponsored by 

Make a beautiful bouquet in our little flower shop!

treehouse

The Canopy Tree House

Sponsored by 
Harry & Carol Windland

Dress up as a park ranger while exploring and learning about the animals and trees you can see in southern Illinois.

Ice Cream Cart

Ice Cream Cart

Sponsored by 

Scoop up some fun with our Annie’s frozen custard cart!

Dental Office

Dental Office

Learn about dental care, schedule appointments, and treat patients while working in our child-sized dental clinic.

Library

Library

Sponsored by 

Spend some quiet time reading with your little one in this cozy nook.

School House

School House

Sponsored by 

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.

observation deck

Observation Deck

Sponsored by 
R.P. Lumber

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.

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