I think every kid has some of the same “phases” growing up, where they can’t get enough of a topic. There’s the dinosaur phase, the space phase – and of course, the big ol’ trucks phase! There’s a reason that Hess has been putting out those famous toy trucks for decades! And if my memories of that phase as a little boy are accurate, it’s not just trucks – it’s every mighty machine that crosses the open roads or plows the fields. It just so happens that one of the mightiest machines out there – the John Deere tractor – has an interactive museum in Iowa that kids will love. The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum is located in a sprawling building in Waterloo and packed with fascinating exhibits and hands-on displays that will intrigue adults and make kids want to drive one home!

You can even see tractors outside the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, which is a hint of what awaits inside.
Juan Parra/Google Local
As soon as you walk in, it's like you're standing in the middle of the history of this storied company.
Wesley Farnsworth/Google Local
There is plenty of education on the wall that explains how John Deere wound up becoming the powerhouse it is today.
Scott Evans/Google Local

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But we know why kids are here - tractors, and lots of them! Practically every model from the company's history is here.
Marsha Dowdle/Google Local
Yes, that means every model - including those going back to the very early days when they were much simpler devices.
Anna/Google Local
There are exhibits exploring the interior of modern tractors, fun quiz games, and even chances for kids to sit behind the driving seat of a stationary tractor.
Shannon Faulhaber/Google Local
Wonder just how much power these tractors hold? Test yourself against one of them in a feat of strength to see what a difference John Deere made!
Bran Dible/Google Local

Have you visited the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo? Tell us what you or your little ones thought of this interactive museum in Iowa in the comments section! Details on the museum, including listings of exhibits and hours, can be found on the main John Deere website. If you’re looking for another family-friendly activity in Waterloo, consider driving a few miles to Lost Island, the state’s newest and most fantastical amusement park. That’s right by the Isle Casino Hotel, a resort hotel with tons of unique amenities perfect for a family getaway.

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John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, 500 Westfield Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701, USA