Detroit Children's Museum
Detroit Children's Museum Is Now Part of the Detroit Science Center
• New Joint Membership Program Includes Both Museums!
Did you know that Detroit is home to the third oldest children’s museum in the country? That it houses more than 100,000 artifacts? And that it’s now part of the Detroit Science Center?
Formerly operated by Detroit Public Schools, and closed since August 2009, the Detroit Children’s Museum is one of Detroit’s cultural gems. When leaders of the Detroit Science Center learned that it would be closed, they approached DPS about taking over the 93-year-old institution.
“When it closed in August, we were determined to do whatever it took to bring it back better than ever. The Detroit Science Center and the Detroit Public Schools, working together, will make it the most innovative and important children’s museum in the nation,” said Detroit Science Center President & CEO Kevin F. Prihod.
Led by Detroit Children’s Museum Director Julie Johnson, the new Children’s Museum staff has been working since January to refresh the exhibits and
displays, bringing more artifacts out of the museum’s archives out onto the exhibit floor, including an Andrewsarchus skull, an extinct mammal, Civil War artifacts and masks, shields and artifacts from countries around the globe.
Visitors to the Children’s Museum will enjoy regular planetarium demonstrations, the People of the World exhibits, a Travel Through History Gallery, Tiny Tikes Preschool Gallery and the Hoofbeat Demonstration area, named for the Silverbolt horse sculpture that stands in front of the museum.
Group programs are available for schools, daycare centers and community centers starting June 28, 2010. All programs will align with the Michigan Grade Level Content expectations for preschool-grade 6. Programs will focus on history, science, math and literature, and will include a classroom program, planetarium show and exhibit exploration. The Children’s Museum also will make Lending Collection kits of artifacts available to schools and other organizations. For more information, or to make a group reservation or Lending Collection kit request, please call 313.577.8400, Option 5.
NEW! Joint Membership Program Starts Monday, June 28!
Members of the Detroit Science Center will automatically become members of the Detroit Children’s Museum. Just show your Science Center membership card at the Children’s Museum for complimentary admission for the number of people covered by your membership.
Upcoming Events
JULY |
|
|---|---|
12-17 |
Everything Baseball •Learn about the science behind the game of baseball. |
15 |
Baseball exhibit day •Special workshop on how to mount and display your baseball cards. |
17 |
Special Baseball Card Trading Day •. Bring your own cards and make some trades with other participants. RSVP required. Limited space available. |
AUGUST |
|
9-27 |
Dog Days of Summer Fun • Join us as we explore the Dog Star, Sirius and other animal constellations in our summer night sky planetarium show. (Daily) |
14 |
Me and my Dog •Kids bring your favorite dog (plush animal) to the DCM and receive a special prize. Special activities all day including storytime, dancing, and sing-alongs. |
21 |
Doggy Gone Cartoons•Learn how to draw some of your favorite "dog" cartoons in the comics and TV. |
Location
The Detroit Children's Museum is located at 6134 Second Avenue Detroit
Construction Updates
For construction updates and possible detours go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdot
Hours
Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Admission
Adults $4.00
Children 2-12 $2.00
Children under 2 Free
Admission includes one planetarium show.
Additional planetarium shows are $1.
Contact
Detroit Children's Museum - General Information
Main number: (313) 873-8100
Front Desk (313) 873-8100xt. 221, 228
Directions
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Local Travel & Transportation
Click here for local travel information resources.
Field Trip Programs
Cost: $2/students Required: 3 chaperones/group additional chaperones are $4/person
Each field trip includes a planetarium and classroom program. The field trips are separated into content areas and are aligned with the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.To make a group trip reservation, call 313.577.8400,Option 5.
Lend & Learn Program
If you can’t visit us, bring the Detroit Children’s Museum’s amazing collection of artifacts to your school or center with one of our Lend & LearnKits! Artifacts are grouped into educational kits on themed topics such as World Cultures, Asia or Africa, Michigan Animals, Rocks and Minerals of the United States, and much more. We also can provide one of our certified educators to present these artifacts with background information for your group with lesson plans for your use.
Lend & Learn Rates:
Lend & Learn Kit: $50 (includes one-week kit rental)
Lend & Learn Kit + Presentation: $100 (includes one-hour presentation and one-week kit rental)
To make a Lend & Learn reservation,call 313.873.8100.
Detroit Public Schools are eligible to receive free or reduced-rate Detroit Children’s Museum group trips and Lend & Learn Kits.
Lending Collection website click HERE
Detroit Children's Museum Social Networks
Flickr
Take virtual tour of the Detroit Children's Museum
HoofBeat, The Official Blog of the Detroit Children's Museum
Follow Director Julie Johnson on as she counts down to the grand re-opening on the Detroit Children's Museum
FaceBook
Become a friend, fan or follower of the Detroit Children's Museum