Welcome!

The North Iowa Children's Discovery Center is a safe indoor place for families with young children to play, learn and grow together.

Location: We are taking a summer break, and are in the process of moving to a new facility (June through September 2019)


Current Hours (to be announced once we are ready to go for fall/ winter!)


Weather policy: Severe weather may cause us to delay or cancel opening for the day. Please visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/northiowakids for the most current information.

Cost: We currently operate on a "Pay What You Can" / Suggested donation basis. 
With our outreach program, no family is turned away for inability to pay. Donate today!

Suggested Donation Levels: (admission for adult caregivers included with child)
$5 per child 
No family pays more than $10 for the day
Babies (up to 1 year old) are always FREE!


You may print the form above and bring it with you, 
or copy and paste it into an email message. 






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The North Iowa Children's Discovery Center: A Quick Introduction


Mission
The North Iowa Children’s Discovery Center provides a safe, welcoming, relaxing, and educational indoor play space accessible to all young children and their adult caregivers.

Background

The North Iowa Children's Discovery Center concept and design is based on the Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center in Clinton, IA, and several other children's museums across the state of Iowa.

Vision
By providing a safe, welcoming, relaxing, and educational indoor play space that is affordable and accessible to all young children and their adult caregivers:

+ Young children will have the opportunity and room to exercise and explore year-round.

+ Children will have the opportunity to learn through imaginative play and socialize with other children from an early age, building valuable social skills.

+ Children will be able to participate in a series of early childhood educational programs in partnership with a variety of community agencies and nonprofits--on topics such as health and wellness, social skills, world cultures and languages, nature/ environment, and our local cultural arts and recreational opportunities.

+ Families will have a safe, comfortable place for birthday parties and visiting with relatives when a family member's home would not work well for these gatherings.

+ Parents will be able to relax and play with their children, or take a needed break while children play.

+ In this safe space, parents will be able to connect with other parents and form supportive community with one another, reducing the isolation many parents of young children feel.

+ Families who are experiencing challenges will be able to find reliable resources and referrals to community supports, along with encouragement and understanding.

+ By providing a comfortable venue for such gatherings, families can participate in workshops, support groups and trainings on topics such as foster and adoptive parenting, parenting during tough times, child abuse prevention, etc.

+ Child service providers will have a venue for extending the programs they are able to offer the children and families they serve, which may include reducing barriers to accessing services for some families.