Disclosure: We were hosted by the Children’s Discovery Museum and received complimentary tickets to Play Club so we could share an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own!
If you are looking for a fun, intentional activity to do with your littles, Play Club at the Children’s Discovery Museum needs to be on your radar. Each month features a new topic within a broader theme - our class was Twig Tinkerers, part of their Outdoor Explorations Series. From the moment we walked up to the 3rd floor classroom to the final goodbye song, my kids and I had such a great time.
What struck me right away as a parent was how thoughtfully the hour was paced. Play Club gives young kids (ages 2-5) a gentle taste of a real classroom setup - practicing listening, taking turns, and playing alongside peers - while keeping adults right there in the fun. Watching my kids navigate the room, I loved seeing how it encouraged their independence while still allowing me to be right next to them to share in the excitement.
Getting to Know the Magic Behind Play Club
The real heart of the class is Emily Serapin, Programs Educator at the Children’s Discovery Museum who plans and leads Play Club. I always view the mark of a successful children's activity leader as someone who can maintain clear boundaries and structure while being genuinely engaging with the kids and the adults. Emily was exactly that.
I was so thoroughly impressed by how she ran the room that I reached out to ask her a few questions after class to get her perspective on what makes Play Club so special.
"I love creating an environment for adults to have a fun and educational one-on-one experience with their child where it's all about 'just you and me,'" Emily shared. "It's bonding at its best! Preschoolers have so much excitement and enthusiasm... my Play Club activities may give children their first-time experience with a new behavior or skill. I feel lucky to get to witness these 'firsts.'"
Our "Twig Tinkerers" Experience
The routine itself is wonderfully grounding. Right at the front of the room, there’s a visual schedule board where Emily moved an arrow to show what part of class we were in ("Circle Time," "Story Time," etc.). It was such a smart, simple touch that helped the kids know exactly what to expect next.
Doors open a few minutes early so you can settle in with books before class begins, and then the fun officially starts:
- Circle Time: A sweet "Hello" song, an opening story, and an intro to the day's stations.
- Station Rotation: Open-ended play across STREAM-focused tables (science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math) designed to build fine motor skills.
- Wrap-Up Circle Time: A closing story and a cheerful "Goodbye" song.
During free play, the kids could pick whichever table caught their eye and move on whenever they were ready. What I loved most as a parent was seeing how different stations pulled out different sides of my kids' personalities and curiosity. These are just a few of the stations at Twig Tinkerers:
- STEM & Science: Magnifying glasses paired with leaves, twigs, and bark to inspect up close.
- Sensory Play: A glowing light table and a super satisfying twig-snapping setup.
- Building & Math: A classic Lincoln Logs table alongside building areas stocked with wooden circles, sticks, and animal figures.
- Creative Arts: Making their own "stick man" with twigs, yarn, glue, and googly eyes, plus a porcupine table using clay, tiny twigs, and pebbles. (Pro-tip: Bring a small bag to carry your child’s creations home!)
- The Big Hit: A "fishing" pond where the kids used sticks tied with yarn and plastic hooks to catch toy fish.
My kids were completely captivated by the fishing pond, and as it turns out, it had a special meaning for Emily, too!
"During Twig Tinkerers, my favorite station in action was the Dramatic Play 'Fishing Hole,'" Emily told me. "It was such a study of concentration and patience as students tried to get the hook in the fish's mouth! When my son was little, I found sticks and started pretend fishing with him at a class picnic. All we had were sticks and our imagination... I was happy to let kids have an opportunity again to use sticks and their imaginations!"
Why This Parent Gives It Two Thumbs Up
Keeping registration intentionally low made a massive difference in our experience. The room was never loud, chaotic, or overwhelming, which meant my kids had plenty of room to focus, move around, and build at their own pace without feeling rushed.
Emily’s teaching style made the whole morning flow effortlessly. The kids were enraptured during story time - she kept them active and involved by asking questions, encouraging them to shout out answers, and letting them ask their own questions. Even better, during free play, she made a point to visit every single activity table to sit down, chat, and do a little bit of the project with each child.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Audience: Play Club is meant for 2-5 years old. Please note that unregistered siblings of any age may not attend. (Note: we went on a Monday, which is Member Mondays. We're longtime members, so our 9 year-old was able to go play out in the museum while I was at Play Club with the littles. It worked out beautifully!)
- When: Play Club is held on specific dates within the month - it is not a weekly occurrence. For example, September's Play Club dates are September 19th, 21st, and 24th.
- Registration: Advance registration is required per class and is limited. Registration can be completed right on CDM's website.
- Cost: $13 Members/Museums for All or $18 Non-Members/Play Pass. Adults accompanying registered children attend free
- Location: 3rd Floor Classrooms at the Children's Discovery Museum in Uptown Normal (101 E. Beaufort St.).
- Parking: Park in the Trail East lot off College Ave (this one is my preference) or the Uptown Station Parking Deck off Beaufort St. (the deck gives you your first hour free!).
- Bonus Play Time: On class days when the museum is open for morning hours, you can stay and play in the main exhibit spaces after class!
What’s Coming Next: All About Pets!
Play Club is constantly switching up their topics to keep things fresh. Emily designs her classes around everyday wonders kids naturally ask about - from past series covering hair salons and grocery stores to nature explorations with rocks, clouds, and twigs.
Up next is a brand-new series All About Pets, designed to sneak in early STREAM concepts through pet-themed fun! September's class is "Cool Cats"; October is "Doggone Fun"; and November is "Funny Bunnies".
"If you are on the fence about Play Club, just try a session," says Emily. "Activities and experiences are diverse; I know your child will find something that they enjoy. You also get to have a shared experience that you can talk about days after. The icing on the cake is that you can play in the museum afterwards too!"
I couldn't agree more. I highly recommend the Play Club experience for families of littles. The Children's Discovery Museum is one of our favorite places in town and the addition of Play Club geared specifically towards our little learners is such a wonderful local resource. We can't wait to go back!
Parent Tip: We ask for a Family Membership to CDM as a birthday or Christmas present for the kids every year from the grandparents. I highly recommend you consider doing the same! It pays for itself many times over throughout the year, not just with daily admission but also the discounts we get for the Discovery Day Camps we love utilizing during School Break Days, the fun themed Summer Camps, and Play Club. It is SO worth it!
