What do train engines, Yoda, farms, nurses, and planets

share in common?

They will all be explored at Discovery Center!

Rockford, IL  – Discovery Center Museum will host 17 Family Fun Day events between January and May of 2019. Designed as educational and entertaining programs for families, Family Fun Days focus on a specific subject matter and then explore that subject through various means, including activities, demonstrations, make-and-take projects, performances and the like.

All events are included with general admission to Discovery Center unless otherwise noted. General admission: $8 adults; $8 children ages 2-17; free to Discovery Center Members and children age 1 and younger.

Thomas & Friends™ Opening

Saturday, January 12, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Come play with Thomas and his friends and explore our newest exhibition Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Take in a story at 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., and get your wheels rolling with special crafts and Thomas activities. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public. Thomas & Friends™ exhibit here through May 12.

Comin’ ‘Round the Bend

Saturday, January 19, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sunday, January 20, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Let your imagination ride the rails! Adventure is in the air as you get your hands on the controls of these amazing model trains. Members of the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Train Association will join us with more model trains visitors with which visitors can interact. Then it’s full steam ahead for more fun in the Thomas & Friends™ exhibit. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public. 

Star Wars Sunday

Sunday, January 27; 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Learn the ways of the Force to help Yoda and Princess Leia battle the Empire! Infiltrate an Imperial base, practice Jedi skills, and tour the cosmos to establish a new rebel outpost. Galactic attire encouraged. Included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger. Sponsored by Rasmussen College.

Thomas Pajama Party

Thursday, February 7, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Come in your PJs for milk and cookies, stories and songs about your favorite train, and explore Thomas & Friends™ before steaming home to dreamland!  Advance reservations required. Call 815-963-6769 or log onto DiscoveryCenterMuseum.org. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

Chocolate Sundae Sunday

Sunday, February 10; 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Rockford Ice Hogs are scooping up fun during this delicious event where you can create your own sundae. Take the chocolate trivia challenge, vote for your favorite topping, and design a delightful Valentine! Live music from the East High School Jazz Band! $2 Members / $3 Public. Museum admission is extra.

Workin’ on the Railroad

Saturday, February 17, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Adventure is in the air! Get your hands on the controls of these amazing model trains! The conductor will punch your ticket so you can build and decorate your own wooden train car that fits your magnetic train set at home! Little train enthusiasts will love asking questions, learning how to operate a train and getting their hands on the controls of model trains courtesy of our friends from the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Train Association. Then it’s full steam ahead for more fun with Thomas & Friends™. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

Discover Engineering

Saturday, February 23; 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Join the fun and find out what engineers do! Hone your skills as you tinker and test and solve your way through a score of displays provided by local engineers. Local high school teams are also on hand, showing off their robotics expertise. Engage your brain as you explore the many ways engineering happens in the Rock River Valley! Included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger. Sponsored by TAC Rockford, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and Nicor Gas.

Ag All Around Us

Saturday, March 9; 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Our Farm Bureau friends have joined us again for this seed-sprouting good time. Explore the ways agriculture makes use of science, technology, engineering, and math! Meet a local farmer, climb aboard a tractor, get the scoop on soil, and more! Included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger.

Ridin’ the Rails

Saturday, March 23, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Bundle up your bindle and jump on board! Enjoy stories, songs, history, and humor as a local storyteller shares her real-life train adventures! Then practice talking like a train and make your own whistle! This 45-minute performance at 11:00 a.m. repeats again at 2:00 p.m. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

Spring Into Science

March 25-29; 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Art and science go hand-in-hand during these days of imaginative fun! Create colors from nature, learn about light, and explore the shapes found outdoors! Included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger.

Chug Chug Chuggin’ Along

Saturday, April 6, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

You be the engineer and work the controls of a real model train! Get your ticket punched, then create your own wooden trains to take home, courtesy of the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Train Association. And don’t’ forget to shovel some coal, fix some wheels and climb aboard your favorite blue engine in the Thomas & Friends™ exhibit! Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

Future Nurse Academy

Saturday, April 13; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

What do nurses do? Find out as friends from St Anthony School of Nursing lead you through their day! Take vital signs, use a stethoscope, check X-rays, and maneuver through the digestion obstacle course. Complete your nursing chart, bling your badge, and get pinned! Included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger. Sponsored by St. Anthony College of Nursing.

Egg-cessorizing

Friday, April 19; 11:00 am - 3:30 pm

Boil up some eggs, grab the kids and the creativity, and hop on over to Discover Center! We supply dye, stickers, and other colorful stuff for egg-ceptionally beautiful Easter eggs from ninja turtles to unicorns, and stained glass windows to watercolor masterpieces. Bring your own eggs, and leave the clean up to us! No registration, just drop in when you are ready. Recommended for ages 4 and up. One adult required for every two children.

$1/Member child; $2/Public child; adults no charge

Museum admission is extra, though not required if only attending the event.

Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 20; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Discovery Center and Burpee Museum team up for double the fun! Kids ages 9 and under can fill their baskets with treats as they hunt for eggs at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Kids little and big can get creative with spring-time crafts and adorable art! Come early and enjoy both museums at one great price!

Member kids: $3, Public: $10 adults, $12 kids

Sing Along with Thomas

Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Chime in on your favorite fun train tunes, learn classic folk songs, and even practice the locomotion! Free or discounted admission if your share a name with Thomas or one of his friends.  Sing-along times: 10:45 am, 11:45 am, and 12:45 pm. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

Astronomy Day

Saturday, May 11; 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Investigate planets, moon, and sun, and get inspired to learn more during a free planetarium show. Monkey around with gravity, put the solar system in your pocket, navigate the constellations, and more! Enjoying the wonder and beauty of the night sky is included with Museum admission: $8/person Public; Free to Members and children ages 1 and younger.

Here Comes the Caboose!

Sunday, May 12; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thomas and Friends are heading toward the roundhouse, but there’s still one more day to play and learn! Make a special Thomas train to take with you, and even practice the locomotion! Free or discounted admission if your share a name with Thomas or one of his friends. Included with Thomas & Friends™ exhibit admission: $1 Members; $11 Public.

ABOUT DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUM

Discovery Center Museum is a non-profit organization providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. In 2018 Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill.  General admission to the Museum is:  $8 adults, $8 children (ages 2 to 17); free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.