The Terre Haute Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum for families that is three stories of fun and exploration. Located near the Indiana-Illinois border, this children’s museum in Terre Haute features exhibits that encourage exploration of science and technology concepts, with dozens of exhibits that are designed especially for kids ages 12 months old to 12 years old. There are even things that adults and kids-at-heart will enjoy!
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What to Expect at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum
On the first floor of the museum, kids can explore various facets of physics by making and testing out cars and rockets. There are also opportunities to exercise at the FIT Gym (which includes a mini rock wall and other fitness equipment) climb into the museum’s tree house, play with the giant Lite Bright and test out musical instruments.
Climb up the staircase to the second floor, and learn about how our food makes it from the farms to our tables. In the Ag-Citing exhibit, kids can learn to milk a cow and drive a tractor. At the grocery store, shop for groceries and then sit down to a pretend meal.
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The second floor also includes the Water Works exhibit, a water table area featuring a continuous “river” and dam station, and a toddler splash area. Then, step inside the Bubble Ring, a larger-than-life bubble maker, to feel what it’s like to be enclosed in a giant bubble! There is also a dance Play Pad and an enclosed, soft play area for kids ages 4 and younger.
On the third floor, sharpen kids can sharpen their carpentry skills in the Under Construction exhibit. You can also race cars, play with trains, build skyscrapers with LEGOs, work in a veterinary clinic and so much more.
Ropes Challenge Course
When you’re at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, don’t forget to look up! When you do, you will see the Ropes Challenge Course, an exhibit that allows adventurous kids to test their nerves and balancing skills. After getting harnessed into the track, kids (and adults who want to participate!) are suspended 10 to 20 feet in the air as they conquer the 22 different elements of the ropes course. Bonus: There’s also a zip line!
The Ropes Challenge Course has an add-on fee of $7 per person. The course is open only on weekends and select operating days. Ropes Challenge Course hours as of winter 2022 are Saturday 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Sunday 1-3 p.m.
ASTC Passport Program
The Terre Haute Children’s Museum participates in the ASTC Passport Program, which means that members of the Indiana State Museum (or other participating museums) can get into the museum for free! Just be sure to show your Indiana State Museum membership card at the admissions desk.
Indiana Access Pass
Indiana Residents actively enrolled in one of the following programs & signed up for the Indiana Access Pass can visit Bellaboo’s at a discounted rate of $2 per person.
More Info About the Terre Haute Children’s Museum
Location: 727 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
Tickets: $9 for ages 2 and older. Children under 2 are free.
Website: thchildrensmuseum.com
