Where a kid can be a kid

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WOTV) - Discover a whole new world fun at the Discovery Zone! Located in St. Joseph, Michigan alongside the Curious Kids' Museum, the Discovery Zone features a series of hands-on exhibits that encourage young kids to play, learn and explore their curiosity.
 
The Discovery Zone has over 50,000 visitors each year and it's easy to see why. It's a fun place where kids can just be kids. Exhibits include:

Lighthouse Kids’ Climbing Tower - Be the Lighthouse Keeper and climb the wave steps to the top of this 25 foot high tower. Imagine you are saving ships on Lake Michigan from crashing ashore during storms. Children age 4 and under must climb with an adult.
     
Lake Michigan Water Table - Sail your handmade boat through the lake currents; use the wind jets to sail; raise and lower the water levels with locks and dams; navigate through a storm by the water mushroom and  look for the 20 shipwrecks just offshore.

Water Power - Hand pump water to fill the great tower like children in rural villages around the world; wonder about the water tornado; build-a-pipe to channel water like engineers; power your squirt gun at the targets; play with water conservation in your home and  much more.
    
Kids’ Climbing Wall - The challenge is to cross this climbing wall and make it from left to right or vice versa. Don’t forget to look at the little blind animals tucked in the cracks in the wall! Simulates cave climbing walls under the St. Joseph River Watershed.
     
Wave Table - Wind power makes waves on the great lakes, and you can too by pumping up the waves to crash over the lighthouse. Watch carefully to observe just how a wave becomes so powerful.
      
Children’s Clean Water Bio Sand Filter - Imagine not having clean water to drink and getting sick from the dirty, polluted water because that’s all you have to drink. The Bio-Sand Filter Program, created by Rotarians around the world, makes clean water and good health happen for thousands of families in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Africa and South America. Meet Marisol who would not be alive today without the clean water provided by Bio-Sand Filters.

Recollections - Wall size giant art/science dance movement exhibit. Dance, wave, just move any way you wish and watch the bright colorful patterns mimic your motions. Engages all ages, you won’t leave it!
     
Pin Wall - Hours of creative fun happen with this giant pin wall. Kids and adults make faces, hands and nature scenes with over 60,000 red plastic pins and much laughter.
     
Whisper Dishes - Can you whisper across 60 feet into your friend’s ear? Go into the Outdoor Science Gallery under the Green Roof and use Sound Waves to hear whispers clearly across the entire gallery.

The Discovery Zone is open Thursday through Sunday now through the end of May.  The museum is open daily beginning in June. Cost is $6 per person and children two and under are free.