May 15-September 15, 2025: Parking downtown St. Joseph is PAID in all parking spots and lots on the west side of Main Street (our “side”) but free parking across Main Street (on the east side). You can find out which paid lots are all day, which paid lots are 3-hour and where to park on the east side of Main Street for free HERE. Curious Kids’ Museum does not own any lots around CKM or at the Silver Beach Center, where Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone is located, and therefore have no control over parking charges.
Geared for ages 1-10 years, Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone is located just steps away (literally, steps!) from Curious Kids’ Museum, inside the Silver Beach Center at 333 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI.
NOW OPEN at Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone- “Secret Ingredients: The Inner Workings and Hidden Histories of Your Kitchen” now starring in the Gast Traveling Exhibit Gallery!
A collaboration with Curious Kids’ Museum and the Whirlpool Foundation! Staying throughout the summer, this exhibit will eventually become a nationwide rental so be sure to see it while it’s here… it could be a while before it returns to us!
This amazing exhibit includes:
But that’s not all we offer in the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone! A train table, mazes and golf ball tracks await you in addition to:
Be the Lighthouse Keeper and climb the wave steps to the top of this 25 foot high Tower. Imagine you are saving ships on Lake Michigan from crashing ashore during storms. Gaze out the ship’s window to Lake Michigan… Look down on all the water exhibits and visitors. Children age 4 must climb with an adult. Shoes must be worn at all times. Challenge yourself and climb to the roof!
Just like the real great lake outside the door; sail your handmade boat through the lake currents; use the wind jets to sail; raise & lower the water levels with locks and dams; navigate through a storm by the water mushroom and wonder about the Chicora mural-the shipwreck that has never been found. 10 hands-on activities.
Try out the Water Power in 15 fun activities. Hand pump water to fill the great tower like children in rural villages around the world; wonder about the water tornado; build-a-pipe to channel water like engineers; power your squirt gun at the targets; play with water conservation in your home; turn the great Archimedes Screw to power your boats; and much more.
New in 2021! A brand new (gated) space for ages 4 and under!
Toddle Beach brings back the nostalgia of long ago beach towns to Discovery Zone- just for toddlers!
Little ones will experience all the thrills of the Fun House, become the film in the movie house as they create shapes behind the backlight window of the Movie House, steer the boat onto shore and much more!
Wall size giant art/science dance movement exhibit. Dance, wave, just move any way you wish and watch the bright colorful patterns mimic your motions. Engages all ages, you won’t leave it!
Hours of creative fun happen with this giant pin wall. Kids and adults make use of hands to create an unlimited amount of different scenes with over 60,000 red plastic pins and much laughter.
Can you whisper across 60 feet into your friend’s ear? Go into the Outdoor Science Gallery under the Green Roof and use Sound Waves to hear whispers clearly across the entire gallery. Partners and exhibit builders of Whisper Dishes—Renaissance Kids and Exquisite Homes, Inc.
Our Outdoor Science Gallery also includes other changeable exhibits such as sand tables, sidewalk chalk, giant connect 4 and more! Our porch is dependent upon fair and dry weather and is closed during the winter months.
Contact Lori Marciniak, Executive Director, 269-983-2543 for more details!
You might think a Da Vinci exhibit would be all about history, and it does incorporate plenty of biography. But the focus is on “STEAM” subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Kids can spin clock gears, catapult blocks at a castle, construct their own bridge, and dress up in Renaissance attire.
Dream with Da Vinci a busy, bustling exhibit full of motion. When you walk in, you’ll see parachutes sailing out of the wind tunnel and kids trying out a clever “flying machine” contraption.
It’s also a homage to the world of dreams and ideas. There’s a station where kids can try mirrored handwriting and learn about Da Vinci’s famously coded notebooks, as well as a wall where they can post their own dreams.
Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone also has the first Green Roof in the area! Learn More.
Hands-on Science programs all summer and Saturday’s all year. Learn More.
Bring your class to the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone by Curious Kids’ Museum for both an educational and fun field trip! Click here to learn more!
