Plan Your Visit
The Iowa Children’s Museum is a learning laboratory where kids can play, learn about the world around them, and create lasting memories. Our exhibits are not only fun—they’re backed by overwhelming research that says playing is essential! Every time your child visits The ICM, they’re learning through the Power of Play.
Hours & Pricing
The Iowa Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm this summer, and members can play for an extra hour on weekday mornings!
Hours:
Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Monday: Closed
Member Hour:
Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri from 9:00 – 10:00 am (members only)
Please purchase your tickets in advance. We are still operating at significantly reduced capacity and advanced reservations help us maintain appropriate attendance levels.
Walk-ins will only be accommodated as capacity limits allow. During busy days, guests who arrive without purchasing tickets in advance may be put on a waitlist or unable to play in the museum.
Adults: $9
Children: $9
Seniors (60+): $8
Infants (under 1): Free
Members: Free
Become a member and experience a year of unlimited visits to the museum!
Reduced pricing is also available for military families and members of the Association of Children’s Museum network. Email reservations@theicm.org for instructions on redeeming your discount.
COVID-19 Policies
While COVID-19 is a challenge we continue to face together, we are confident in our current ways of playing.
- Advanced ticket reservations are prioritized over walk-ins. We are still operating at significantly reduced capacity. To maintain appropriate attendance levels, we ask guests to purchase tickets online prior to arrival. Walk-ins will be accommodated as capacity limits allow.
- Masks are strongly encouraged. To protect our young guests who are not eligible for vaccination, we ask everyone (2 years+) to continue wearing a mask in our space.
As the impact of the pandemic changes, we will adjust our practices as well. Our priority will always be to protect the health of guests and staff. If you would like any clarification about our current policies, don’t hesitate to contact us or ask a PLAYologist during your visit! You can also learn more on our COVID-19 update page.
Location
The Iowa Children’s Museum is located in Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa. You can find us near the southeast mall entrance by the skating rink and the food court.
Amenities & Accessibility
Facility
- Elevators – Guests are welcome to use the elevator to reach the second floor of the museum. It is located near the front desk, across the hall from the rainbow stairs.
- Family Sanctuary – Located in the ImaginAcres exhibit, the Family Sanctuary provides a private, quiet space for guests. This space can be used by nursing parents, those with sensory needs, or anyone in need of a break from the lively exhibits environment.
- Restrooms – All restrooms have changing tables and are wheelchair-friendly. Accessible stalls are available in restrooms on the first floor. Private gender-neutral restrooms are available on the second floor. A bathroom designed for our youngest guests is available inside the ImagineAcres exhibit.
- Parking – Parking is available right outside our doors! Coral Ridge Mall has more than 5,000 free parking spaces, including many handicap accessible spots.
- Strollers – Stroller parking is available in the coat rack area, located on the first floor near the City Money exhibit.
- Wheelchairs – The museum main entrances are wheelchair accessible with power assist doors and the majority of spaces within the museum are wheelchair accessible. If you are in need of a wheelchair, free rentals are provided at the Coral Ridge Mall Guest Welcome Center.
Welcoming Everyone
- ICM for Everyone – The ICM for Everyone program provides Museum Memberships for economically disadvantaged families. Learn more.
- Free Programs & Events – We offer a variety of free events and programs throughout the year, including STEM Family Free Night, Super Hero Night, and a number of annual community events. Visit our event Calendar to learn more.
- Nursing Parents – We support nursing parents wherever they choose to feed or soothe their children within our space. If you prefer a more private location, the Family Sanctuary is available in our ImaginAcres exhibit and a Nursing Room is available in the Coral Ridge Mall food court family restroom area.
- Languages – Multilingual PLAYologists wear pins that indicate the language(s) they speak. They would love to chat with you!
- Mask Policy – We strongly recommend that all guests (2 years+) wear masks in our space to protect children who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination and to model the behavior we ask of unvaccinated children.
- Museum Social Stories – A social stories binder is available for checkout at the front desk. Our virtual tour can also offer a look at our space for those planning a visit.
- Sensory Resources – The ICM is a certified Sensory Inclusive™ location. Guests can check out a bag from the front desk with items that can help lessen sensory overload including noise-reducing headphones and fidget toys. Bag items are also easily cleaned and sterilized for multiple uses. Certain areas within our exhibits are also marked with KultureCity “Headphone Zone” and “Quiet Zone” signage.
- Service Animals – Service animals and service animals-in-training are always welcome in The ICM, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Animals such as “comfort animals” or “therapy animals” are not service animals as defined by the ADA and are therefore not allowed in our exhibits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I purchase tickets?
All guests, including members, are highly encouraged to reserve their tickets online to help us maintain capacity limits. Walk-ins will be accommodated as capacity limits allow.
Please click here to purchase tickets for your selected play session. Members are asked to log into the website before checking out using the email address that is associated with their membership in order to receive free admission.
Is The ICM limiting capacity?
Yes, the museum is limiting attendance to less than 10% of our usual capacity in order to maintain social distancing during play time.
What cleaning and sanitizing procedures are you carrying out?
We sanitize high-touch areas (door handles, railings, light switches, etc.) throughout the day. We also conduct a thorough, museum-wide sanitizing of exhibit surfaces, toys and other props multiple times per week.
How are you maintaining social distancing within your space?
We ask all guests to maintain social distance from other play groups during their visit. Our overall reduced capacity also makes it easier to maintain social distance. You will notice floor markers and signage throughout the museum that provide reminders on desired traffic flow and social distancing.
Are any exhibits closed?
Exhibits may occasionally close for cleaning, but no exhibits are completely closed at this time.
How can I use my Annual Pass to purchase tickets?
Go to our ticketing page and select the date and time you would like to visit. Put one admission into your cart (either adult or child, depending on the pass holder). Log in to your account using the email address associated with your annual pass. One admission will be free when you proceed to checkout. If there are multiple annual pass holders in your group, please log in separately for each pass holder, and check out separately to receive each free admission. Use the Need Help Logging On? function if you do not know your username or password. You may register additional guests at the same time as an annual pass holder and pay regular admission for those guests.
Are facility rentals available?
Yes, you can experience our 28,000 square foot learning playground like never before through our MyICM facility rental program! With the museum’s reduced public hours, we have a unique opportunity to provide our entire space to individuals looking for a more private play experience. For a $250 flat fee, you can have the entire children’s museum to yourself. Learn more here.
Are you hosting birthday parties?
Traditional birthday parties with cake, favors, and a party room are temporarily postponed. Families looking for options to celebrate their child’s birthday, however, may be interested in our “MyICM” facility rental program! With the museum’s reduced public hours, we have a unique opportunity to provide our entire space to individuals looking for a more private play experience. For a $250 flat fee, you can have the entire children’s museum to yourself. Learn more here.
Are you booking outreach events and field trips?
We are excited to once again provide field trip opportunities! Email reservations@theicm.org to book your visit.
Outreach events are currently being assessed on a case-by-case basis to support the health and wellbeing of our staff. Contact us to inquire about having members of our team provide programming at your location or event.
Can I use a coupon, Family Day Pass, ACM Reciprocal Network discount, or other reduced price admission?
Discount codes can be used at checkout when reserving your tickets online. If you have a physical coupon, please call our front desk (319.625.6255) to reserve your play session and then present your coupon at check-in.
We are proud to be a part of the Association of Children’s Museums and provide discounted admission to members of reciprocating museums. We also offer discounts to military families through the Blue Star Museum program. Email reservations@theicm.org for instructions on redeeming your discount at The ICM.