We are making a permanent space for the children’s museum.
Our Project
We are making a permanent space for our museum. It will be focused on kids aged 6 months to 10 years old. We will have several rooms dedicated to specific skills; imagination, building, tactile, STEAM, large motor development. Our rooms will rotate exhibits with different themes, but the same learning focus.
The museum will also have a small cafe and store. We will have a family a resource center, connecting families with local resources.
The museum will be located downtown in the ORCA building. This will be a great space for our local families and our visitors with children.
Tell me more about the exhibits.
Imagination Room
This room is dedicated to imaginative play, starting with a café and a veterinary station. The possibilities are endless—transform it into a grocery store, camping area, bank, farmer's market, dentist office, SeaLife Center, small animal clinic, and more!
$10,000
Builder Room
The builder room is focused on developing problem solving skills. We will switch out the building materials through out the year. Starting with Big Blue Blocks. We will also have large magnetic tiles and wooden builder blocks. This space will include builder challenges and group problem solving.
$15,000
Tot Lot
The Tot Lot will be a space dedicated to our non walker children. It will have exploratory toys for kiddos just learning about the world. The toys will be stored in bins and storage areas around the room that will help refine motor skills, encourage imagination and creativity, improve cognitive development, and help with emotional development. The room will also include a climber to help with larger motor skills.
$10,000
Touch Tank Room
The Touch Tank Room is an interactive space featuring tank tables filled with water, along with rotating tactile materials such as rice, beans, and sand. This room is designed to explore how liquids and solids move and interact through hands-on experiences.
$10,000
The Lab Room
The Lab will feature art, science, technology and engineering activities. The room will feature bins with different activities from art to building robots. We will rotate the room with specific themes and learning objectives.
$15,000
Climbing Wall
A place for kids to push their limits, get some energy out and develop large motor skills. Rock climbing teaches problem solving and over coming fears. The climbing wall will only be bouldering only.
$5,000
Light Zone
The light zone will feature a large light bright wall and a light up table. Kids can explore the amazing world of how light effects the space around it and develop motor skills while they explore.
$5,000
Playground
Our indoor playground climber will give a nod to some of our favorite back country cabin areas in the bay. We will have buoys to swing on, ropes to climb, found weathered logs. A place to explore, get out energy and develop large motor skills.
$20,000
Pneumatic Tubes
Pneumatic tubes are a favorite. Enjoy hours of magical flying. Marvel as colorful scarves or balls whirl through a winding maze of airways. Explore principles of air pressure with this pneumatic system of tubes, hoses, and control points.
$5,000
The Gathering Space
The gathering space will be a place where families can sit down for a snack or conversation. It will have seating and our small store.
$5,000
Donor
Recognition
Opportunities
FAQs
What is a children’s museum?
It is a space for children where they have the opportunity to learn in a museum environment that is built just for them. Kids learn through play and experience.
When will the museum be open?
Our target date is May 2025.
How are you going to fund this project?
Private donations, Exhibit Sponsors, and Grants.
Will the museum be free?
It will have an admission fee and annual passes.
Who is the museum for?
We will have spaces for everyone from 6 months to 10 years old.
Will the museum be inclusive for all?
We will have opportunities for neurodivergent and autoimmune compromised kids.
Why should you care?
Future Workforce This is your future workforce. Studies show children who visit children’s museums before kindergarten have higher scores in reading, math, & science compared with those who did not. (NCES - National Center for Education Statistics)
Return on Investment PNC Bank has researched the economic impact of children’s museums. They found for every $1 spent there is a $13 return on investment. Due to children who are better prepared for school and eventually the workforce .
Tourism 47% of Seward visitors have at least one child 16 years or younger. 50% of Seward tourism is from Alaskans. Seward Chamber has reported that visitors are looking for more family activities to do.
What is the project total budget?
$135,000
Is this a childcare center?
No, this is not a childcare center. It is designed for families to visit. We will have availability for childcare centers to visit.