Treehouse Museum555

Treehouse Museum is an interactive children's museum themed around family literacy and the arts. Every corner of Treehouse is filled with things to do and explore, stories to read and create, art to create, and theater to invent and perform. The highlight of the 28,700 square foot building is a two-story tree in which children can climb, play, and explore. Activities within the tree include a parachute drop, dress up stations, whisper tubes, and a spiral slide (coming soon). Other features of the museum include a Baby Place where even the youngest children can learn and explore, a 150-seat theater, and party rooms which can be rented.

All restrooms in the building have baby changing tables and the main floor bathrooms have kid-height sinks and potties.

Some favorites at the museum include an oversize couch where children can climb up and listen to "Grandma Sofie" read them a book, a market garden where youngsters can harvest food from a garden and sell it at the market, a Music Room where kids can try out a variety of percussion instruments, an Art Garden where children's creativity is allowed to flourish, the Fire Engine where kids can don a uniform and climb aboard an old Model T-style truck, and a "One World Village" exhibit that allows kids to travel the world without leaving the building. The popular "Days of the Knights" exhibit features a Royal Theater where children can stage their own productions using costumes and puppets, and a Chess Garden where kids can use giant chess pieces as they learn the classic game of strategy.

On Track to Reading Trunks can be checked out at the front desk. Each trunk is filled with reading readiness activities that families can complete in less than 30 minutes. The Treehouse's "Conductor" punches a special ticket once for each trunk a family completes, and once all six trunks are completed, families receive a prize which encourages further reading together.

Several classes and programs are offered throughout the year. Birthday parties and after-hours private parties are available for members. Storybook Birthday Parties start at $75 and include two hours in the private party room and museum admission for up to 15 children. Book at least two weeks in advance; further notice is required for Saturday parties. The Treehouse's website has a complete list of the special offerings.

No strollers are allowed in the museum proper, but there is a nice place to store strollers, coats, bags, etc. near the museum entry. Colorful little lockers are available for patrons to rent. Locker rental is free for members; nonmembers pay a small fee.

Although food and beverages are not allowed in the museum, there are tables and chairs near the front desk where people are welcome to have a snack. Vending machines are located there as well.

A visit to the Treehouse reveals that this museum is obviously cared for and well run. It is bright, exhibits are well maintained and safe, and the staff is pleasant, knowledgeable, and proud of the museum. It is truly a unique hands-on learning place for children ages two to 12 and their grown-ups. Memberships are available; see the museum's website for pricing and details.