There’s a new lemonade stand in downtown St. Joseph, perfect for visiting on a hot summer day or any time of the year. It’s not going anywhere.
The lemonade stand has become one of the more popular activities at inspireU, a new children’s museum at the corner of Fifth and Felix streets downtown. Four stories of exhibits and activities, designed for infants to 10 years old, create a lot of fun and excitement while learning about nutrition, movement, mindfulness, connection and curiosity. It is the first of its kind in northwest Missouri.
“I’m so grateful to the city and everyone for making this happen,” said Kelly Evans, rocking one baby in a stroller while her husband, Austin, followed their three-year-old son to pound on some musical mushrooms. “I love that it’s indoors and it is good for so many ages. We really needed something like this in St. Joe.”
Once an abandoned department store, Mosaic Life bought the historic building nearly 20 years ago and used it for storage. Slowly, the idea for a children’s museum began to take shape, followed by fundraising and two years of construction. inspireU officially opened in December and is well on its way to meeting its goal of welcoming 60,000 guests per year
While learning and playing, kids and adults might see a few familiar faces and places. Dozens of northwest Missouri companies, people, buildings and history are gently woven into the fabric of learning.
Look closely and you’ll see the St. Joseph Carnegie Library in the reading area. Gray Manufacturing explains what engineers do. Sure, most kids get a kick out of honking the horn on the big truck representing the company that builds truck lifts. But the parents read the sign and perhaps they read it to their children.
That’s another of the healthy messages shared throughout. Read to your children.
Local families are featured in signs about the health benefits of riding bikes, while family members from Atha Family Farms and Potter Farms, two local agriculture operations, are featured in the grocery store. The Missouri Extension Services provides healthy recipes in the little grocery store.
Even when pretending to camp along the banks of the Missouri River, children can sing pre-recorded camp songs with some of their favorite local musicians: Jim Cosgrove, better known as Mr. Stinky Feet; Funky Mama, aka Krista Tatschell-Eyler; Will Stuck and Lisa Henry. These same musicians are a part of inspireU’s concert series and special programming.
While the lemonade stand is very popular, it competes with The Messy Room. Children must first put on little paper hazmat suits, and that’s the only rule. They can throw paint, roll around with clay, color on the walls, mix this with that. It’s a place to create all of the messes you don’t want to deal with at home.
The children’s theatre also draws a crowd and allows adults a chance to sit down for a minute as they play “audience.” This is not just a stage with a few costumes. It comes with lighting controls, sound effects and a variety of props according to the script kids choose. It seems the real stars of the show are those who flash the lights and run the music.
If kids prefer, they can drive an ambulance, complete with siren and lights, while learning the important work of first responders. Others love taking care of their pets at the veterinary clinic (tip: feel free to bring your own teddy bear or stuffed axolotl for a checkup).
If you’re thinking your child might become a bit over stimulated or just needs a few minutes of quiet before taking on another activity, that’s OK. Quiet rooms are conveniently located on each level. Sensory bags are available at the Welcome Center.
While all of inspireU is designed to inspire movement and creativity, the second floor Creation Station allows kids a chance to talk with, watch and help out local makers. Woodworkers, soap makers, jewelry makers and sculptors are among those scheduled in the coming months. The kids can help or make something of their own with supplies provided.
Peggy Leone volunteers in the Creation Station showing children and adults how to use a sewing machine. Specifically she is quilting, but she knows she’s teaching the kids much more than color and design.
“A lot of kids have never seen a sewing machine work so they are amazed how the bobbin and thread come together and how shapes and colors create something unique,” said Leone.
“I think spaces like this opens their view on the world and how things they buy at the store have come together. It helps them see things from a fresh perspective.”
While the children have two colorful spaces for birthday parties, the entire third floor is for adult parties. The private event space includes a stage and a variety of seating/dining arrangements for up to 250 people.
The rooftop continues the fun and connections to the St. Joseph community. This is where a recreation of the Ebenezer Ferry has been turned into a climbing space. More than 150 years ago, Pony Express Riders and others heading west crossed the Missouri River here aboard the Ebenezer Ferry.
Check the museum’s calendar for concerts, family movie nights and other events.
More information at inspireU.com; 816-271-7991.
Pro Tip: buy your tickets online and save $2. Tickets at the door are $12, or $10 online, with children 12 months and under free.
“A lot of kids have never seen a sewing machine work so they are amazed how the bobbin and thread come together and how shapes and colors create something unique."
“I’m so grateful to the city and everyone for making this happen. We really needed something like this in St. Joe.”