Discovery Center Opens Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children’s Books Wednesday, May 1, 2024 the Kansas Children's Discovery Center hosted an opening reception for Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children's Books. Dr. Beryl A. New of the Kansas African American Affairs Coalition emceed the event, which included remarks from Dene’ Mosier, President/CEO of the Discovery Center, Mayor Mike Padilla, Arthur Affleck, Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums based in Washington D.C., and poet Annette Billi ..read more

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Celebrates One Millionth Visitor The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center welcomed the Kreshel family of Carbondale, Kansas as the museum’s one millionth all-time visitor. The milestone marks a historic achievement for the nonprofit children’s museum just two days after announcing a $10 million dollar expansion project. The museum’s one millionth visitor comes as the latest record-setting attendance milestone for the museum. In 2023, the organization welcomed a record annual total of 120,002 visitors. This surpassed the previous record set in 2019, which sto ..read more

Our Story The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center believes play is powerful, and quality play experiences are transformational for children and families. In the first 12 years of operation, the nonprofit children’s museum has served nearly 1 million visitors from across Kansas and beyond. With our current building regularly at capacity, we are on the cusp of an exciting new chapter in our mission to ignite children's passion for learning. Building Discovery Our vision is to create a museum where every child can find exciting opportunities to explore, experiment, and learn. To achieve thi ..read more

Discovering Harmony: An Evening of Music and Hope supports Access Discovery programs Medical Warriors Honors medically fragile children or those battling life-limiting illnesses who need private play time. Read More Play Free Play-based education program for children and their incarcerated parents. Read More Admission Access Increases access to underserved and low-income families so finances are never a barrier to play. Read More     Click Here for Tickets and Full Details         Click Here for Tickets and Full Details     ..read more

Discovery Center to Host Art Exhibit in honor of Brown v. Board 70th Anniversary The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Topeka’s nonprofit children’s museum, will host an art exhibit in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children's Books will open to the public on Friday, May 3 at 9 a.m. following an opening reception the evening of May 1. The exhibit will be open from May 3 to August 11, 2024 and is included in the cost of regular admission. Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil R ..read more

Play Free Prison Program Expands to Serve Fathers "Dad!" a little boy shouted as he threw his arms around his father's neck. A long hug followed in which neither father or son wanted to let go. When they did, they both smiled from ear to ear. "We get to play today!" the father said. The two joined the other fathers and children playing around the room, all participating in Play Free from the Kansas Children's Discovery Center. A dad and children play with a wind tube at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center's Play Free in Hutchinson, January 2024A dad enjoys a puppet show at the Kansas Chil ..read more

Three Ways to Raise a Thankful Preschooler One of our members at the Discovery Center made his four-year-old daughter a special lunch last week at home, arranging her favorite snacks into a happy face, complete with sandwiches cut into heart shapes for the eyes, strawberry lips and a cookie nose. Her reaction to his extra effort? “I DON’T like that!” as she shoved her plate across the table. Similar scenarios are common for young children. As frustrating as it can be for parents, being self-centered is a normal part of development for preschoolers. As kids grow, they will come to understand ..read more

Discovery at Home: Limestone Rocks! Materials Needed: Assorted rocks (including limestone) White vinegar Small plastic containers or bowls Optional: plastic droppers, safety goggles, magnifying glass, notebook and pen for observations Instructions: 1. Go on an outdoor rock hunt, collecting various small rocks from your yard, parks, or nearby locations, or use a rock collection you already have at home. Compare and contrast rocks to find many different kinds. Look for different colors, textures, and shapes. 2. Set up an investigation station with your rocks, small containers, vinegar, plas ..read more

Oh Snow! Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids on a Snow Day Stuck at home with kids bouncing off the walls? We have you covered with a few of our favorite educational (shhhhh...don't tell the kids they're learning) and fun things to do with kids at home on a snow day! Hot vs. Cold: It's an epic battle! Hot vs. cold, which temperature will best expand a balloon? Full activity guide. Bigfoot Obstacle Course: Put some cardboard to good use by making giant feet. Full activity guide. Snow Measurement: In this video we're using Tyrannosauruses as alternative unit of measurement—a great introducto ..read more

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center will host the nationally traveling XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness from January 19 to April 17, 2024! Created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh with support from The Fetzer Institute, the exhibit invites visitors to explore feelings through facial expressions, words, movement, art, and other hands-on activities. XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness is an exhibit about feelings where you are encouraged to play, act silly, and consider what makes you sad, mad and happy. Visitors will asks questions, listen and learn about the ..read more