Our Town Coralville: Iowa Children’s Museum the go to place for smiles

CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) - For 24 years the Iowa Children’s Museum has been the go-to place for smiles. This family favorite is part of our series, “Our Town” where we highlight a community in eastern Iowa for a full week.

The nonprofit, nestled within the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, was a relatively new concept when it opened.

“The children’s museum movement has really gained steam over the last 25 to 30 years and so for me it was a special place here that we associated with moving to a new place, and raising our children here,” said Iowa Children’s Museum Executive Director Jeff Caps.

Capps says the organization is increasing outreach efforts with the addition of a second vehicle to bring exhibits and activities to daycares, parks, and communities that might not be able to access the museum. The “ICM to Go” travels throughout the corridor and is like a mobile museum.

One of the most popular exhibits “Take Flight! The Science of Aviation” is freshly renovated - part of the museum’s commitment to improving and evolving hands-on learning opportunities. And when little ones, or their caregivers, need a little less stimulation there’s the Family Sanctuary, which provides a quiet space adjacent to “Imagineacres” exhibit. It’s available to feed babies, have a calming space for toddlers, or just a place to read and relax for the preschool crowd.

And with next year being the 25th anniversary for the Iowa Children’s Museum, you can count on new experiences and a few surprises in a favorite mainstay of Our Town Coralville.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.