High-pitched squeals, bursts of laughter, and the pitter-patter of little feet – these are the joyful sounds that greet visitors as they step through the doors of Children’s Museum of Discovery. For the past 25 years, these sounds have echoed through its halls, a testament to the Museum’s enduring impact on the littlest of learners.
Founded in 2000 as a traveling kite-making program, Children’s Museum of Discovery is the product of a group of parents, led by Katie Stokes, who dreamed of creating a community space that would ignite creativity, fuel imagination, and encourage little ones to explore the wonders of the world in a safe and nurturing environment. What started as a simple idea has since blossomed into something extraordinary.
Fast forward to today, and that dream has grown into a vibrant hub of hands-on learning. From its humble beginnings in a 750-square-foot storefront to its now expansive 13,500-square-foot facility with indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Museum has served more than 1.3 million children and families. Through every exhibit, program, and experience, its mission has remained the same: to spark a love of learning so all children can discover their wildest dreams.
The Museum’s commitment to its mission does not stop within its walls – it stretches across the entire San Diego community. In 2015, Children’s Museum of Discovery launched its Mobile Children’s Museum, providing accessible and affordable hands-on education to all corners of San Diego County. With a fleet of four vehicles, the Museum brings its beloved interactive exhibits directly to schools in under-resourced communities, providing full scholarships for over 90% of its visits. Many of the barriers that often prevent families from accessing high-quality early childhood education – such as transportation, income, and disability – are broken down thanks to Children’s Museum of Discovery unwavering belief in providing reduced admission and dedicated programs for children of all abilities.
“For many families, access to supplemental educational resources is limited,” Christina Piranio, CEO of Children’s Museum of Discovery shared with GB Magazine. “Play-based learning and interactive experiences are a crucial element of education that develop a wide range of skills foundational for a child’s success in school, life, and work. Our goal is to bridge that gap and provide every child with the opportunity to explore, imagine, and experiment.”
As the Museum looks to the future, it remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of problem-solvers. “We want to inspire lifelong learners,” Christina adds. “Through our onsite experiences and mobile STREAM programs, we are shaping the future of early childhood education, one playful moment at a time.”
Ensuring that all children have access to these transformative experiences requires continued investment in the Museum’s future. To celebrate 25 years of impact, Children’s Museum of Discovery is launching a fundraising campaign to support free and reduced-cost admission for under-resourced families, scholarship visits to Title-I schools, new exhibits, and essential updates to the Museum’s growing facility.
“The support of our community means that the sounds of play will continue to fill our halls and that all children will have the opportunity to dream big and play on,” Christina concludes.
To learn more about Children’s Museum of Discovery 25th anniversary, make a donation, or get involved, visit www.sdcdm.org.
