i.d.e.a. Museum

Reviews 3

A

A Private User

We could have easily spent 5-6 hours just playing and creating here - the only reason for the less than "average" rating is due to an immediate need for them to address some safety issues, proper storage of banquet tables and lack of professionalism shown by one particular employee. We were in the room with the Dry-Erase board, near the Snackery Room, playing with the wood blocks on the mat when my 1yr old nephew got up and toddled over to the wall -about 3 away - where 3-4 banquet tables were leaned up on the wall - he did nothing more than just barely touch the first table and it came down on top of him pinning him to the floor, legs underneath and the back of head hitting the hard concrete floor - all this in a matter of a few seconds and before I could get up to get to him - This easily could have resulted in broken legs or a cracked head, and I truly thank God, it did not. Accidents WILL happen in an environment like this, but this one was totally preventable and should not have happened. A female employee entered the room shortly after and asked if there was a problem. I told her what happened and suggested how dangerous it was to have tables propped up like that in a room full of children playing, to which she replied "its never been a problem before" in a not-so-very-nice manner, as if reprimanding me or making me feel like this was my fault - to which 2 other adult women in the room also very kindly, yet firmly, advised her this should not have happened. The employee, unwillingly, moved the tables behind the black curtain "storage area", where they stuck out and was another accident waiting to happen - PLEASE, IDEA Museum Management, address the safety issue of your storage issue IMMEDIATELY before another incident happens and a little one is seriously hurt. Not once did this staff member show concern for my little guy or suggest reporting this or doing anything further. Even though we discovered later that my camera broke when I dropped it trying to get to him quickly, its replaceable and of no concern. Of GREAT concern is the safety of all children visiting the IDEA museum, and knowing your staff has their best interest at heart - the employee involved in this definitely did not. It was not until another employee, with a super pleasant attitude, asked us how our visit was just before our departure much later - that it was suggested we complete an incident report after telling her what happened. Though requested at the front desk, the cashier was unable to find a form. Its not my nature to file a public complaint, especially when the IDEA Museum is someplace I can see bringing my little nieces and nephews for creative time for a few years to come. But not having the ability to reach anyone in person on the phone, I feel no other option, as I want all little ones to be safe as possible while playing and learning in this super neat creative environment.

TI

Tiny Clinkenbeard

This place is Amazing! If you want a break from chasing your kids around the house or from a hot park this is the place to go. We signed up when our daughter was 18 months old because she needed to interact with more little people her age, glad we did, she loves other kids now and is not so timid around strangers anymore, her speech has improved as well as being nice to kids The building is split into 2 areas, older kids and small ones, we have gone to the older kids side a few times however it is not the reason we signed up, if you were to just come for the big kid side with projects and learning exhibits a once a month visit would suffice. They change the theme on the big kid side every few months, currently underwater themed, they even Bring in Moon Mermaid to interact with the kids and show them that magic is real :) last exhibit was trains and that was a big hit with the thomas the train kids, I think creativity, doodling was the previous theme. Its always changing and a great place for the kids The little people side is like what grandmas house is but larger and filled with more awesome toys. Its gated and a socks only area with cubby holes for shoes and space to stick diaper bags. The large entry area has foam blocks to build forts with, practice your climbing techniques on and to jump into. The outer rooms are split, reading room, kitchen, garden, building room/lite bright, hand puppet room, dress up room, arts and crafts room, and a baby pen. The baby pen is a 20x20 area with walls and padded floor to stick small ones while their toddling counterparts play. The building room has a 5 ft tall light bright by 15 feet long, some sections are tough to insert the pegs but if you move to another area you should find a small child friendly location. Wooden building blocks, legos, lots of fun for the small builder to play with. The Kitchen is awesome, lots of food and cooking implements for pretend food, We were going twice a week for 6 months and we would see them cleaning the stuff at least once a week, they probably cleaned it on other days, Its nice to know they sanitize with so many little hands everywhere. I support this place and everything they do for the little people, I will continue to bring my daughter here until she tells me she doesnt want to go anymore. If you get there at opening its super nice and relaxing and families start to trickle in, about 10 its super busy and children are flying around like madmen, it slows down around noon for lunch break and picks back up around 1 to 130, in my experience its nicer when its quieter and slowly builds up so you can handle it and the energy of 50 kids running around

EI

Eileen L. Smith

My review of: I.D.E.A. Museum Ive been going to this museum for 8 years. Ive seen the changes and transformations into the great museum that it is now. Some of the art supplies I could have at my house but there are some that I do not. I love relaxing in the extra cool interior of this museum. My children get to socialize as well as create fun masterpieces and I get to chill. Out side there is a music garden. The sculptures of xylophones, drums and chimes are actually in tune and are not just noise makers. So walking up to this place is very peaceful and beautiful. I love the wind mobile at the end by the street. Inside the museum splits into 2 sections. Left is the main museum. With an Art hub, a table filled wit creativity supplies, a still life table, Disco DJ music station, blacklight room, and a Snackery with more giant bean bags & building blocks for kids to relax on while they enjoy snacks from the vending machines. Restrooms and water fountains are just out side the door. And there is the special gallery that changes every few months. There is access to the enclosed courtyard during midday for outdoor activities. Its a great place to let your kids get out the wiggles. Separate on the Museums right side is ArtVille, the Toddler 4 and younger themed zone with play stations of theater, puppet show, block building, kitchen, garden, living room and art studio. There is a family bathroom, as well as a boys, & girls restroom and a mothers room with rockers, changing tables with their own sink and clean up counter. Artville is truly set up with the family in mind. Older siblings are allowed as long as they are respectful and careful of the younger kids.

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