Discover Engaging Exhibits at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa

The Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa, stands as a vibrant hub of interactive learning and play, designed to captivate children and families alike. As a department of the City of Bettendorf, it is located on Bettendorf's Learning Campus next to Faye's Field and the Bettendorf Public Library & Information Center. Since its establishment in 1997, the museum has been committed to providing unique and educational experiences. With 44,000 square feet of programming space, including a 10,400 square foot interactive exhibit hall, the Family Museum offers a diverse range of exhibits and activities tailored for children eight and younger, along with their adult caregivers.

General Information

The Family Museum offers general admission for families looking to explore its outstanding exhibits, which cater to kids of all ages. For those planning multiple visits, consider the Zooseum Pass, which grants access to both the Family Museum and the Niabi Zoo throughout the summer.

The museum is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm and Friday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. It's closed on Sundays and major holidays, and final admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Special Needs Support

The Family Museum is dedicated to ensuring all visitors have an enjoyable experience. Special sensory kits are available to assist children with special needs, containing calming brushes, sensory toys, and tools to help manage tension. Additionally, a quiet, low-lit room can be provided upon request to help children calm down.

Celebrate with a Birthday Party

The Family Museum offers a fun, family-friendly environment for children's birthday parties.

Read also: Empowering Families in Petersburg

Supporting the Museum

Donations to the Family Museum support hands-on, child-driven learning experiences and exhibits, providing a safe and fun place for children and families to explore together.

A Look at the Exhibits

The Family Museum boasts a wide array of exhibits designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and learning through play. Here's a closer look at some of the highlights:

Fox Hollow

Welcome to the town of Fox Hollow! This town is filled with friendly neighbors, fun activities, and lots of hands-on play.

Kinetic Sculpture Clock Tower: A one-of-a-kind interactive work of art that welcomes visitors to Fox Hollow. Move the silver balls up the lift and watch them roll down different paths. Try to figure out how to manipulate each path and find the one that plays bells to the tune of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Millie's Bakery: A pretend bakery where little ones can bake pastries, bread, cookies, croissants, and desserts in a baker's oven. Customers can sit on an old-fashioned stool and enjoy the sights and sounds of a mini bakery.
Post Office: An important part of the community where everyone stays connected and informed.
Dr. Harriet’s Vet Clinic: Take care of cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and even farm animals by checking temperatures, listening to heartbeats, and examining x-rays.
Harvest Market: Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, canned goods, bakery items, and eggs to make a healthy meal. Assist Store Manager Rosie by stocking shelves, checking out customers, and advertising sales.
Fox Hollow Fire Department: Dress up in firefighting gear, jump in the fire truck, and drive to the burning building to point the hose at the windows.
Sal’s Pizza: Take orders, make pizzas, bake them in the oven, serve them with drinks and plates, and clean up after customers.
Ice Cream Cart: Enjoy a stroll through Fox Hollow Town Square with a scoop of pretend ice cream.

George's Farm

Help on the farm! Pick vegetables, harvest the field, feed the animals, and can corn at the Corn Factory. This exhibit is a great introduction for future gardeners and farmers.

Lil 'Ssippi River Valley

Explore the Mighty Mississippi on a smaller scale! This exhibit features a 28-foot waterplay table based on an actual stretch of the Mississippi, a working crane to move cargo from dock to boat, and large bridges similar to those in the Quad Cities.

PlayHouse

Designed for kids 4 and under, the PlayHouse includes an alphabet kitchen, a laundry sorting area, and a backyard area perfect for crawling and walking. Check out the virtual pond where little ones can splash around without getting wet.

On the Road

Embark on a great American road trip! Tune up your car at the service station, grab a bite at a classic diner, take a pit stop at quirky roadside attractions, and tell stories by a crackling campfire.

Outdoor Play Area

The Family Museum has a private outdoor area with playground equipment, hidden structures, and waterplay. While the waterplay is only open in the warm months, the rest of the outdoor area is open year-round.

Imagination Studio

Create, invent, design, and express yourself at the Imagination Studio! The museum provides art supplies, clay, building tools, and fun materials; you provide the ideas!

Russell Dig Zone!

Located in the Courtyard, the Russell Dig Zone! is a place for kids to "drive" big trucks, dig, dump, sift, and play in sand and pea gravel. Prepare to get dirty!

Lemon and Clunker

Step into the colorful, hands-on world of Lemon and Clunker, where kids become pint-sized mechanics and problem-solvers in a car maintenance shop run by the clever Lemon and her trusty dog Clunker. In this interactive exhibit, children explore how cars work through imaginative play and activities. From changing tires to checking spark plugs, each station offers playful challenges that teach basic principles of engineering, teamwork, and creativity.

Little A's Diner

Order up! Step back in time at Little A’s Diner, a retro-inspired exhibit where kids can cook, serve, and boogie their way through a classic American diner experience. Decked out with glowing lights, shiny chrome counters, and cozy booths, this vibrant play space lets children take on the roles of chefs, waitstaff, and hungry customers. They can whip up pretend hot dogs, hamburgers, and milkshakes in the play kitchen, take orders, and deliver meals with a smile. A colorful jukebox pumps out fun music, inspiring spontaneous dance parties and plenty of toe-tapping fun. Little ones can choose their favorite tunes while learning about music and rhythm.

Summit View National Park

Welcome to Summit View National Park, an immersive nature-themed exhibit where young explorers can experience the magic of camping, hiking, and adventure-all without leaving the Family Museum! This exhibit invites children to set up camp at a cozy site complete with a campfire, a charming teardrop camper, and a pop-up tent ready for stories and pretend sleepovers. From there, kids can hit the trail and climb to the top of the summit, where breathtaking views (and maybe a few hidden surprises) await. Along the way, they can also explore mysterious caves carved into the mountain-perfect for sparking curiosity and imaginative storytelling. Designed to encourage physical activity, sensory exploration, and a love of nature, Summit View National Park helps kids connect with the outdoors through creative play, all in a safe and accessible indoor environment.

Traveling Exhibits

The Family Museum has hosted exciting traveling exhibits in the past, including:

Hubble Space Telescope: New View of the Universe
Grossology: the Impolite Science of the Human Body
The Vision of Jim Henson
Blue Man Group: Making Waves
Bob the Builder Project: Build It
Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog
Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit

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