On a recent family road trip, my son and I stopped to visit a small, but impressive nature center in northern Illinois. My sister had recommended it as a “great place to get out of the car for a few minutes and get some stimulation.”

The design of the nature center was fantastic. Bright colors and a giant cartoon caterpillar welcomed you into a large room filled with cheerful nature motifs, more cartoon creatures, and kids chattering excitedly. The floor was divided into stations for interactive exhibits, and plenty of hands-on amusement. The atmosphere just begged you to come and explore.

I’m the first to admit that five year olds are a tough sell, but I would like to think that he would get some takeaway from of all the bells and whistles (literally). We laughed as we put on a furry animals puppet show. At the next station, we turned cranks and pushed buttons as the nature scene on the screen swirled and changed. We played at the water table, laughing at the toy boats bobbling around until we opened the flood gates, and whoooosh, we’re off to the races! I looked around and wondered “but, why?” There’s no information on what we are learning from this, and then I panicked – am I supposed to know? As the parent, is the onus on me, here? My blasted English degree is useless here!

As we were leaving, my son begged me for a stuffed animal from the gift shop – a fluffy, big-eyed screech owl aptly named Screech. “Do you know what this is?”

“No. It’s cute!”

“The tag says it’s a screech owl. Did you learn anything about screech owls?”

“I don’t know. Was it by the flower puzzle?”

Screech did not come home with us.

The best museums are designed with the ability to entertain and educate, to delight and provoke. One of the coolest things I have ever seen was the image of an ant magnified 400 times. I’ll never look at ants the same again. That moment when perspectives are altered and minds enlightened – that’s what I call “stimulation.”