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.
This simulated kid-sized apple orchard and farmer’s market introduces young visitors to the magic of Michigan agriculture. Pick apples from trees, fill an order by loading them into a special hand-cranked conveyer, and learn the difference between a bushel and a peck. What will the market special be today?
Curious Kids’ Veterinarian Clinic includes mini-operating tables, kid-safe operating tools, real X-rays to read and all kinds of educational animal-related activities. Kids learn to treat animals in a respectful, caring way while exploring science in an educational and memorable manner.
Climb on the volcano and slide down the side of it… but watch for the next eruption! Assemble a kid-sized triceratops.
Forecast the weather using your best TV weatherman voice (or announce your favorite football team is going to the Super Bowl) in our new TV STATION, complete with sound effects! And the crowd goes wild! WKID is now on air and ready for you to announce the biggest events, newest M&M flavor or latest Abominable Snowman sighting! Remember- you heard it here first!
An old favorite, face painting allows kids of all ages to express themselves artistically by using their faces as canvases. Face paints are now in admissions area, so be sure to ask when you’re there!
This gated room is dedicated to children from infancy to 4 years of age. Designed as a 1940’s style Michigan farm, children can play in the barn and slide down the silo into the corn crib. Visit Buttercup, a cow you can actually milk! (It’s really water, mom, but pretty cool!) Plant and harvest vegetables! Children can use the hand pump and send water rushing into the duck pond complete with waterfall. Infants will be safe while they explore the “tadpole pond”. Books and toys related to farming are also available, encouraging interactive learning between children and adults. A rocking chair located behind the barn provides Mom with a semi-private nursing nook. Baby changing table also conveniently located behind the barn.
NEW! “On the Go!”
Boats, barges, trains and trucks! These are things kids love to see… and nothing captures a child’s fascination like these massive moving machines. “On the Go!” lets us get hands-on, without requiring a captain’s license!
“On the Go!” allows both little and big guests to use the “crane” to load (and unload) the cargo ship, cast a rod in the tot-sized fishing boat, create their own sailboat to race, become the conductor of a kid-sized passenger train…and oh! so much more!
Who doesn’t love watching wind keep a kite in the air or make the tree branches dance? Here you’ll find 2 exhibits to blow you away!
Amazing Airways is a custom-made circular room created specifically to feel the force of moving air around you.
Is it magic? No… it’s science! The Bernoulli Table allows you to suspend lightweight spheres and objects on streams of air.
A full-scaled Lighted Peg Board! The possibilities of what you can create are endless!
Howdy, pardner! Welcome to Old St. Joseph! Before packing up your wagon to head west, you’ll want to mosey along the boardwalk to stock up on sundries for the trip, send mom and dad a telegraph and check your mail before hitting the dusty trail! Maybe buy a new saddle!
