Delaware is home to a remarkable place of discovery and wonder just for kids and their natural spirit of exploration. It’s a place where children learn through playful interaction and informative engagement that hones in on the senses, fosters creativity and stimulates the growth of mindful awareness. But to them, it’s all about having fun and spending a day playing at a special place all their own. I am, of course, referring to the rightfully named Delaware Children’s Museum.
Located in Wilmington, the Delaware Children’s Museum is the only specifically designated museum for kids in the entire state. Open year-round, it’s an excellent place to come out and explore any season. That makes it an exceptional option during the harsh winter months when kids are more prone to boredom that comes from being cooped up in the house. Likewise, the museum’s enrichment and educational stimulation are great for keeping kids’ minds sharp, focused, and ever-curious throughout those summer months spent away from the classroom.
The museum provides children and families from diverse backgrounds access to a comfortable, fun-loving environment catering to versatile interests of all kinds. The driving mission behind the museum’s very establishment was initially to assist in developing creative minds powered by STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and what is called “playful learning.” This is defined as discovering through one’s own exploration of the world around them. Learning through play relies on partaking in different activities and following one’s custom interests to grasp concepts naturally.
The Delaware Children’s Museum accomplishes all goals and missions through permanent interactive exhibits, rotating educational programs, and special engagements at various times throughout the year. It’s a marvel when you consider that this is the all-in-one-location where kids can unleash their budding architect, uncover and discover native bugs, fish, and flowers, shoot hoops like superstars, create one-of-a-kind paintings, and climb into a 300-year-old tree, among many other endeavors. Highlight exhibit categories here include Art Installations, the DCM Earth Balloon, the DCM Speedway, ECOnnect, Farm-To-Table, Power of Me!, S.T.E.M. Room, Kokoun, Structures, Studio D, Training Wheels, the Tree Pavilion, and the Gallery. Click here to discover each one in greater detail.
In their commitment to making access more readily available to children and their families, the Delaware Children’s Museum proudly offers Community Access Programs (CAPs) through their Breaking Barriers Campaign. To support the ongoing mission of providing enrichment, engagement, and educational opportunities to the children who come here, the DCM relies upon earned revenue, admission costs, and sponsorship. Donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Visit the donation page to read more about how you can help.
The Delaware Children’s Museum is located at 550 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is generally closed on Monday and Tuesday but is open on special holiday hours on select Mondays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To learn more or to plan your visit, go to the website at www.delawarechildrensmuseum.org.