Explore Children's Museum supports children, their caregivers and our community. Our mission is to provide meaningful opportunities, inspire participation in purposeful play, and promote lifelong learning. To accomplish our mission we create opportunities for children to take an active role in learning environments that inspire creativity, exploration, engagement, shared learning, collaboration, communication, critical thinking skills and fun.

“The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out,” said Bill Gates. Early educational opportunities are critical in shaping outcomes for our children. Federal, state and local governments invest so little in early childhood education, so the nonprofit sector tries to fill the gap. Explore Children’s Museum was created to do just that. Intended for children under 9 years old, our space offers 15 permanent and rotating interactive exhibits that cover a wide range of interests and skill sets. Each exhibit helps children develop executive function, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, self confidence, independence, and self-regulation. These are critical for lifelong success and must be intentionally developed.

Accessibility is a priority. We welcome all visitors. We use a need-based fee system for daily admission and membership for visitors with financial constraints. We have a quiet room to support visitors that experience sensory overload, an adult-sized changing table in the bathroom, and Accommodation Kits with headphones and sensory tools for visitors who need support to enjoy the museum.

Explore Children's Museum charges $8/person for admission, but spends $11/person to operate. As a nonprofit organization created to fill a gap, we hesitate to raise rates on our earned income from admissions, membership fees, parties, field trips and programming to fully support our operating expenses. Raised rates would put undue pressure on families and groups who rely on access to the museum. We were developed and remain fully committed to the principle that early childhood education is critical for academic readiness and success, physical and mental health, and the development of children into adults who are prepared to meet the challenges they will face.

All children should have access to opportunities to thrive. Our children are our collective future and we serve them, and our communities, best when we invest in them early in childhood.

*Another way to support Explore Children's Museum - our Amazon Wish List! Thank you!

Support the Power of Play!

By Explore Childrens Museum of Sun Prairie

Support the Power of Play!

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