Lake County Discovery Museum

Wauconda

Get Directions: Google Maps

The Lake County Discovery Museum features hands-on exhibits about Lake County history, nature and picture postcards. Changing special exhibitions feature topics such as art, nature, history and popular culture. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visit the museum website for more information.

The Lake County Discovery Museum is located in Lakewood Forest Preserve in southwest Lake County. The entrance and parking area are located on Route 176 west of Fairfield Road. Follow signs to the Lake County Discovery Museum. The museum's address is 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda, IL 60084.

Too busy to stop by the Museum Shop? Order a Memory Packet for each student in your group and provide a souvenir of their field trip experience. To order call, 847-968-3321.

Mastodon Packets: $1.50 each (postcard, pencil and a mastodon tatoo)
Lakewood Packets: $2.00 each (postcard, pencil and an arrowhead)
Explorer Packets: $2.75 each (postcard, pencil and a nature activity book)

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Programs Offered

A Place Called Illinois

Museum educators guide you as you explore the development of Lake County from the last Ice Age through present day.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: 3-4

When Offered: Year-round

Archaeology Field School

A simulated dig and corresponding activities teach student archaeologists how to uncover artifacts and piece together the past.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: 5-8

When Offered: Late Mar-early Nov

Building Arts

Find out what it takes to become an architect in this interactive program.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Scouts

Scout Level:

Brownies

When Offered: Year-round

Dinosaurs, art by Pat Bradley/Storywell Productions

Dinosaur Tales

Discover the job of a paleontologist and what makes an animal a dinosaur through a story and hands-on activities.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: Age 4-Grade 1

When Offered: Year-round

Disappearing Dinosaurs?

Why is there no fossil record of dinosaurs in Lake County? Uncover clues to this period of Lake County’s past as you learn about the fascinating work of a paleontologist.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: 2-6

When Offered: Year-round

Engineer

Take a look at the job of an engineer in this jam packed program, which includes building circuits and catapults.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Scouts

Scout Level:

Webelos

When Offered: Year-round

Folk Arts

Take a look at the folk art of Lake County through various hands-on activities, including examining photographs, painting a portrait, and even learning an American Folk Dance.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Scouts

Scout Level:

Junior Girl Scouts

When Offered: Year-round

Fur Trade Secrets

Experience bartering sessions at an 18th century trading post and learn about Native American and voyageur relations.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: 3-4

When Offered: Year-round

Geography Challenge

After reviewing geography skills, students read road maps, identify Illinois’ geographic features, and use historical maps to learn about Lake County history.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Field Trip

Grade Level: 3-4

When Offered: Year-round

Geologist

Discover why rocks rock by uncovering different types of rocks, learning what a fossil is and more in this interactive program.

Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.

Program Type:

Scouts

Scout Level:

Webelos

When Offered: Sept-May

Lake County Discovery Museum

Programs Offered

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