Discovery Center Museum

The Discovery Center (Children's) Museum is full of over 250 exciting hands-on exhibits spread over a two-floor area. Out in the museum's backyard, visitors can explore Rock River Discovery Park, a giant, multi-level science park with a hands-on twist! The museum also hosts traveling exhibits, special events and programs throughout the year. ith 200+ hands-on art and science exhibits including a planetarium, TV studio, robotics lab, and outdoor multi-level science park of scientific experiences. Tot-spot for toddlers, special events, and traveling exhibits. Recognized as one of the top 10 (tied for 4th) science museums in the country by Child Magazine.
Discovery Center Museum
711 North Main Street
Rockford, Illinois 61103
(815) 963-6769

Summer Events

In My Backyard

Friday, June 13; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
We’re not traveling too far for this event. We’ll be exploring your backyard from silly summer games to the natural world, with special performer Strollin’ Jeff Wolin. He’ll get your toes tapping as he sings songs about your backyard. Strollin’ Jeff Wolin’s music has won a Parents’ Choice Award as well as a Children’s Music Web Award. He has been a naturalist and educator for the past ten years. Performances at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Messy Monday with Artist Kathie Webb

June 16 Soft Sculptures with Kathie Webb
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday starting June 16 for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Toybox of Science

Friday, June 20; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Experience our new traveling exhibit Toys: The Inside Story. Take toys apart and see how they work on the inside. Then, build some science toys to take home and add to your collection!

Messy Monday with Artist Alison Agustsson

June 23 Fun with Watercolors with Alison Agustsson
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Expedition to Adventure

Friday, June 27; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Dust off your fedora and get ready for a day of thrills and excitement! Master map reading and solve perplexing puzzles to uncover ancient artifacts. Be ready to swing your way to fortune and glory, and keep a sharp eye out for giant rolling boulders!

Messy Monday with Artist Kara Rehfeldt

June 30 The Power of Pastels with Kara Rehfeldt
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

KABOOM!

Friday, July 4; 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Popping potato cannons, sparkling arts, and fluttering flags! Celebrate Independence Day with patriotic crafts and amazing chemistry. Afterward, leave your car parked in our lot and take the short walk downtown to watch Rockford’s parade and fireworks!

Messy Monday with Artist Robyn Bernd

July 7 Cartooning - Animals with Robyn Bernd
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

It’s Not Magic

Friday, July 11; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Come explore a world of wonder as we take a look at eye-popping phenomena and then learn about why they work! Physics and chemistry go hand-in-hand as science explains it all. It’s fantastic—it’s astounding—but it’s not magic

Messy Monday with Artist Kim Zierke

July 14 Tantalizing Tempera with Kim Zierke
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Frosty Friday

Friday, July 18; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
A classic program returns just in time to beat the heat! Watch bone-chilling liquid nitrogen shows and experiment with dry ice. Challenge a friend to an ice-melting competition and challenge yourself against the treachery of “brain freeze”. The Alpine Kiwanis will have brats, hot dogs and drinks for sale in our parking lot.

Messy Monday with Artist Lisa Frost

July 21 Painting with sunflowers...and Lisa Frost 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Jim Gill

Friday, July 25
Enjoy a concert with Jim as he bangs out energetic rhythms on his banjo while you clap, jump, dance and sing along. Performances at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Messy Monday with Artist Rebecca Christensen

July 28 Create Recycled Sculptures with Rebecca Christensen
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Does It Float?

Friday, August 1; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Float a boat and sink a submarine as we spend the day investigating buoyancy. Help us test oddball objects in our giant tank to see if they float or sink. From computer monitors to bowling balls, nothing will be spared!

Messy Monday with Artist Brad Argyle

Aug. 4 Play with Clay with Brad Argyle
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

It’s a Zoo in Here!

Friday, August 8; 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Join us as Discovery Center welcomes scales, feathers and fur to the floor. Get a handle on classifying animals; create critter crafts; participate in the animal game show; touch and look at a wide variety of animals.

Messy Monday with Artist Bruce Quast

Aug. 11 Secrets of Cartooning with Bruce Quast
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us every Monday for messy fun in our Art Studio. Local artists will lead activities. Messy Mondays are sponsored by the Rockford Area Arts Council and are included with Museum admission.

Splish, Splash, Splat

Friday, August 15; 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
We’re going out with a bang (or a splat) with our final Family Friday for the summer. Get ready for the messiest day of the summer! Fling water balloons, dunk Discovery Center staff, and make a beautiful mess-terpiece. Bring along a piece of fruit to fuel our giant trebuchet. Dress to get wet and messy today!