Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center, Clinton, IA

http://adlerdiscoverycenter.org/

Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers:

This is my number-one, go-to, favorite place to take my young children, year-round. Take note.

Built in a converted grocery store, this interactive children's museum allows your kids to play in one large room, even if they all like different things--and you can see each one of them at all times. I've been to a lot of children's museums, and it's a struggle to keep track of a toddler who darts around a corner, or referee between the room with the airplanes and the room with the dress-up costumes. This layout removes a lot of that stress.

Activity stations include train tables, a kid-sized hospital and ambulance, a grocery store, schoolhouse, RV/campsite, mini-golf, "fishing" for alphabet magnets, a rowboat, lots of dress-up costumes, a farm with wheelbarrows (milk the cow, pet the horse, pick the corn), a model train that's relatively kid-proof; art and music activities; a builder's corner (megablocks/duplos, legos, and the wooden kapla; a NASA exhibit (Clinton is hometown to several astronauts); puppets, and a playhouse with kitchen. There are a couple cozy coupes and other rideable toys.

In addition, there's a secured exit with a button to push at adult eye-level: perfect in case your child likes to run out the door.  Bathrooms in the back are family-friendly with step-stools and changing stations. There's a good water fountain, as well as vending machines and a place to snack. You can have birthday parties there, or just relax and play. When I had an infant, I could sit and hold her or keep her close to me in a stroller or car carrier while watching my older kiddos play.

To be completely honest, when we lived in Clinton, we practically lived here--especially in winter or the heat, or anytime we couldn't be outdoors; it's the kind of place you can play all day, every day, if you needed.

Tickets are reasonable at $4 for ages 2-64, and $3 for seniors.  Infants and 1 year olds are free. If you're going to be around a while, a membership makes sense.