SYV Children's Museum Annual Fall Fundraiser

Event Information:

Join us at the museum for a light meal, drinks, and carnival games! This all-outdoor fundraiser is your chance to bet on a favorite number in Chicken Poop Bingo, toss rings on bottles for immediate prizes, and try your luck in our amazing raffles, all while raising money to build the Valley's first outdoor Children's Museum!

Comfy shoes and a hat are recommended, although we will have shade and seating a-plenty! This event is ALL AGES!

Get Your Tickets and Make a Difference

Be a part of creating a legacy for our children. Purchase your tickets now and join us for a day of fun, community, and support, building a brighter future for children in the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond.

Can't make it to the event? You can still make a meaningful impact by making a gift. Your generosity will help us bring this vision to life and create a space where children can learn and play outdoors.

More about Santa Ynez Valley Children's Museum

The Need

We know parents of small children are constantly on the lookout for engaging, educational and fun things to do. Our current options require lengthy drives of 30 to 60 miles, a challenge families face every time they look for somewhere to play.

What made these journeys even more disheartening was the realization that many of these so-called "learning" places were far from what we hope for. They were touch-button experiences that failed to deliver on the promise of genuine, hands-on learning. Instead, our children were left interacting with screens and buttons, missing out on the open-ended, tactile experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.

A recent study from Sanford Health News, cited by Spectrum Local News, revealed that American children spend less than 10 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play, while they dedicate a staggering seven hours to screens. That's an alarming 1200 hours per year spent in front of screens versus only 6 hours playing outside.

Our Mission

Our mission is clear: we believe play transforms the lives of children. We are creating an all-outdoor children's museum in Buellton, CA, where children and families can learn while playing outside, fostering creativity and a love for learning and nature all at the same time.

The SYV Children’s Museum Will Be Open To:

Families: Our doors are open to families seeking quality time together. We offer a space where parents and children can bond, explore, and discover the wonders of the natural world.
Homeschool Groups: We recognize the growing homeschooling community in our region. We're committed to providing resources and experiences that enhance homeschooling efforts.
Schools: We invite local schools to bring students to our museum, providing an educational experience that complements their curriculum and allows for unstructured, nature-based learning.
Underserved Youth: We're especially dedicated to reaching out to underserved youth. Through partnerships with organizations such as Foster programs, CASA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and more, we aim to provide these children with opportunities they may not have otherwise had.
Teens: Once our early childhood programs are up and running, we plan to open an afterschool program for preteen-teenagers to build hands on skills with local mentors.

We're not just building a children's museum; we're building a community hub that bridges gaps and fosters connections.

What We’re Building:

We have 8 exhibits planned and 3 are fully complete:

Dirt Zone: Kids can build dirt hills, valleys, play with tires, and use mini excavators, tractors, and trucks. Get dirty and dig deep!
Mud Kitchen: An outdoor play space where kids can get hands-on with materials to create their own mud masterpieces.
Painted Object: A full-size Nissan truck for kids to climb on and paint to their hearts' content.
Sensory Garden: An organic garden designed to inspire children's interest in plants and natural cycles. Year-round activities include seed starting, pollinator education, arts and crafts, and more.
Water Feature: A riverbed waterway with educational elements like a walk-in gazebo that rains periodically, teaching kids about rain, storms, and floodplains.
Baby Zone: A safe and enriching area for our youngest visitors. Babies can play and explore their surroundings in an age-appropriate way.
Reading Zone: A mini mobile library, comfy seating areas, and lots and lots of cool books.
STEAM Activity Zone: Kids learn by doing—taking apart electronics and analyzing the components, studying animal bones and tracks, and doing lots of open-ended nature art projects.

Ways You Can Help:

Sponsor Toys and Equipment: Pick a specific item from each of our exhibit areas. Your chosen toys and equipment will directly enhance children's play.
General Fund: We need capital to hire contractors, part-time staff, and cover various operational expenses. Your contribution here ensures that the museum can come to life!
Sponsor an Entire Exhibit: Help us build the remaining exhibits by sponsoring one entirely. We've already fully funded two exhibits, and your family or company name can grace any fully funded exhibit. Please contact Amber at donors@syvchildrensmuseum.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities and details.

2024 - Fall Fundraiser - SYV Children's Museum Fall Carnival

Creating a safe space for kids to play outdoors