Playhouse
Enter a dynamic, imaginative space where children can engage in hands-on, open-ended play. The Playhouse is designed to spark creativity, encourage collaboration, and inspire pretend play through its blend of creative and functional design elements. Children can explore different scenarios, build their own stories, and learn social skills in an environment where discovery happens at every turn.
The Maze
This seasonally adapted exhibit area combines physical activity with environmental education, immersing visitors in a multi-sensory experience of sights, sounds, and textures. Local artists have created striking illustrations to inspire role play and storytelling as children navigate the twisting pathways.
Depending on the season, The Maze takes on different themes:
- Spring/Summer – Be a Bee: An “aMazing” pollinator adventure where children learn about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.
- Fall/Winter – The NoMi Maze: A journey through local wildlife and habitats, encouraging young naturalists to stay active while discovering the wonders of Northern Michigan’s environment.
Train Tables
Train Tables are a perennial favorite for developing fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. As children guide trains across bridges, through tunnels, and around winding tracks, they exercise creativity, build communication skills, and expand their vocabulary. This collaborative play fosters both social interaction and independent exploration, making Train Tables a hands-on way to cultivate imagination.
Coast Guard Lookout
In this elevated adventure zone, visitors can climb into a cozy tree house, glide down a slide, and even pretend they’re aboard a Coast Guard helicopter on a rescue mission. Designed to encourage gross motor play, the Coast Guard Lookout supports balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness—a welcome break from screens and structured activities. This immersive environment promotes imaginative role play while helping children develop physical endurance and self-confidence.
Climate Action Heroes
Step into a world of sustainability, empowerment, and innovation. Climate Action Heroes invites visitors of all ages to discover how everyday choices can protect our planet. By answering a maze of playful questions, children are matched with one of five hero personas with unique superpowers. In this way, children are invited to become real-life climate champions—from youth activists to local conservation leaders—and explore practical ways to reduce waste, conserve energy, and advocate for positive change. By celebrating both global and community-based successes, this exhibit instills hope, resilience, and a commitment to stewarding our shared Earth.
GLCM Water Table
Plunge into an aquatic exploration at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum’s Water Table! Here, children and families can observe and manipulate water flow in a hands-on environment—steering toy boats, adjusting dams, and seeing how currents shift around obstacles. As they play, visitors uncover core concepts like buoyancy, displacement, and the interconnected ecosystems of the Great Lakes region. By merging open-ended play with STEM learning, the Water Table fosters curiosity, problem-solving, and an appreciation for our most precious natural resource.
Ball Wall
Experience the fascinating forces of physics with the Ball Wall! This interactive exhibit encourages children (and adults) to experiment with gravity, momentum, and cause-and-effect by constructing custom paths for rolling balls. Visitors can rearrange ramps, tubes, curves, and other pieces on a large vertical surface to alter each ball’s trajectory and speed. By sparking creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, the Ball Wall offers endless possibilities for STEM discovery and play.
Sun, Earth, Universe (NISE Net Exhibit)
Journey through our cosmic neighborhood in Sun, Earth, Universe, a hands-on exhibit developed by the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net). Children and families explore core Earth and space science concepts, from solar flares and atmospheric patterns to planetary orbits and Earth’s climate. Interactive models, experiments, and visual displays highlight how scientists study our Sun and its influence on our world. Engaging for all ages, Sun, Earth, Universe makes complex science concepts accessible, fun, and memorable.
Art Table
Are you an artist? Do you like to draw, paint, color, or create art in other ways? If so, come to our very welcoming art table, which is always stocked with art supplies for those who want to express their creativity at the museum. We feature exclusive nature-themed crayon rubbing stencils for those who truly want to capture the museum’s nature elements and exhibits. Develop your inner artist and creative side at our art table at the Curiosity Place here!
Bubble Room
Bubble-blowing is more than just an engaging way to spend the day. It’s a way for children to build visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and oral motor skills. In the Curiosity Place Bubble Room, children and families are invited to experiment with different wands and tools to fill the air with bubbles of all sizes. The calming, magical atmosphere of this experience is designed to spark wonder in people of all ages.
Calming Room
A semi-private room to go for parents of young children who need time for quiet and privacy or to unwind, or for young children who need a little down time. A rocking chair also is in here for moms (and other caregivers) who are nursing, pregnant, and with young infants. “Al” the freshwater fish’s tank is in here too, to help make the room into a calming and relaxing experience for all.
Party/Gathering Room
A big gathering feeding area for all types of Museum events. Perfect for parties, educational programs and other events. It also features a refrigerator, tv screen, green screen setup for entertainment and a child-sized snack table for children to eat at too.
Book your next party or event here soon!
Power of Play Store
Shop with purpose at the Power of Play store, where every purchase supports the Great Lakes Children’s Museum! Our carefully chosen, high-quality toys and games extend the fun and learning from our exhibits while helping fund Museum operations, including discounted admissions for families in need. Skip the shipping with “Pick Up at the Museum” option, and members enjoy 10% off. Give a gift that inspires play and supports a great cause!
Create-A-Critter
Build your own cuddly friend with 16 adorable styles, including Michigan species, thanks to My Bear Company, a local eco-friendly brand! Choose your size, add a voice recorder or message insert, and make it extra special!