Last updated: 8/7/2015
Lincoln, Nebraska
Address
1420 P StreetLincoln, NE 68508

Hours

Regular Hours
Sunday
1 PM - 5 PM
Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday
9:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day & Easter Sunday
Special Hours
Open: Memorial Day & Labor Day 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Early Close (Open -2 p.m.): 4th of July & Christmas Eve

Admissions

Please add tax to all pricing.

In appreciation of the men and women who serve our country and protect our communities, Lincoln Children’s Museum is proud to offer a special Military and Emergency Responder admission discount. Present a valid military ID card, badge or business card during your visit to Lincoln Children's Museum and receive $1 off admission for each person in your group

Ages (2-61): $9.50
Seniors (over 62): $9
Members: free
Children (age 1): $6.50
Children under 1: Free

Staff

Sharice Kucera
phone: 402-477-4000
Description

Build, dance, play, climb, create, sing, and laugh at the Lincoln Children's Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here you can be whatever and go wherever your imagination takes you! The Lincoln Children's Museum offers three floors and 23,300 square feet of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs that allow children and adults to discover the adventure of learning through play together.

The Lincoln Children's Museum was constructed as the first green building in the city of Lincoln. The Museum incorporated these green building principles into the design and renovation of the facility. These green building principles include minimizing the amount of waste generated during construction, recycling materials that could be separated from the construction waste stream, using recycled content building materials where feasible, and using best management practices regarding energy and water conservation.

Mission

The Lincoln Children's Museum invites children to create, discover and learn through the power of play.

History

The Lincoln Children's Museum was created by a group of active, committed parents and educators who had visions of Nebraska children learning through exploration and discovery. After incorporating in 1987, the founders introduced the concept of a hands-on learning museum in August, 1988 at a 10-day "Sights and Sounds" exhibit at the state fairgrounds which attracted 10,000 children and adults.

With start-up grants from three local foundations, the permanent Museum opened on December 2, 1989. A dozen simple, handcrafted exhibits filled 7,500 square feet of leased space in the Atrium in downtown Lincoln, and 15,000 visitors came in the first year. From that grassroots start, the Museum's attendance and support grew steadily. The community replaced the early exhibits, one by one, and added better, more sophisticated ones.

In 1991 the Museum moved to its next location, occupying 15,000 square feet of a former downtown department store, 13th & O Streets. Annually, up to 80,000 people visited an often-full Museum. The Museum was now poised to take its services and exhibits to a new level in a new facility. In a short time, the Museum became a true community endeavor. The Lincoln Fire Department installed a cab from a retired fire engine where children role played as firefighters with real coats, helmets and hoses. The Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club and Junior League built a Lunar Lander where children became astronauts. Hy-Vee installed a child-size grocery store, with food, shopping carts, a scanner and cash register. The University of Nebraska Athletic Department helped build a room-sized football stadium that included the sounds of a cheering crowd, goal posts, and tests of skill.

In 1998, at the Museum's initiative, the City of Lincoln agreed to a partnership with the Museum contingent on passage of a city bond issue and successful private capital fund drive. In May, 1998, responding to an active campaign by the Museum, Lincoln voters solidly endorsed a new Lincoln Children's Museum and approved a $1.9 million city bond issue to help buy and renovate the new site. The Museum organized and managed a public capital campaign and successfully raised an additional $4.1 million to complete the new $6 million Museum. In this partnership, the city owns the 72,000 square foot building, which was totally renovated at the Museum's expense and leased to the Museum for a nominal fee. The Museum occupies 45,500 square feet and sublets the remaining space to the Nebraska State Historical Society. The Children's Museum Board of Directors continues to set policies and oversee operations.

Artifact Collections
Tiny Town of Big Imagination

Tiny Town reinforces the fact that in this museum, kids rule!

Farm and Kimmel Family Apple Orchard exhibit located adjacent to the Hy-Vee Grocery Store to reinforce farm-to-table connections
Johnny Carson Theater and 10/11 TV Studio, kids can dream big and anchor the local news.
Union Bank, with its real vacuum tubes, allow play money to be exchanged between teller and customer.
Sam & Louie's Pizzeria, kids learn about math and fractions as they slice up whole pizzas to serve.
Kids Auto Garage - Put on your work shirt and get ready to use touchscreen technology and hands-on tools to give your automobile a makeover or tune up! Select from different automobile shapes, colors and paint brushes on the giant touchscreen and create a canvas on wheels! You can even check out the undercarriage of a car to place important car parts in their proper location.
In Tiny Town, kids can zip to the rescue on a Harley Davidson police motorcycle, thanks to Frontier Harley Davidson; drive a refurbished Lincoln Fire & Rescue firetruck with a loyal dalmatian in the passenger seat; and make life-saving medical discoveries inside Bryan Health Center.
Tiny Town wouldn't be complete without a Post Office and Husker Sports Area!
Educational Programs
Preschool Play Day Camps; ages 3-5
Field Trips; All field trips to the Lincoln Children’s Museum provide guests with a two-hour self-guided tour, providing opportunities for hands-on learning, curriculum enhancement and fun for all!
Group Visits: The Lincoln Children’s Museum is happy to host groups of all shapes and sizes!
Overnight stays: We are arranged for special interest groups, like Brownies or Scouts, church group outings, extended family gatherings, school activities or special occasions. They are designed for the 5-12 age group, but the fun that comes from an exclusive overnight at the Museum is easily enjoyed by the young and the young at heart.
Overnight Themes include: Kids Kitchen Adventures, Build It Break IT, Experimentation Station, Museum Mysteries, Paint & Play
Governance

The Lincoln Children's Museum is a private non-profit, 501(c)(3), that receives no city, state or federal tax dollars. The Museum is a member of the Association of Children's Museums (ACM). During your travels, the Lincoln Children's Museum encourages you to visit other children's museums throughout the country.

Services
Museum Store - 25th Anniversary

In honor of the Museum’s 25th Anniversary, we have a special offer for Museum Members! Visit the Museum Store the 25th of every month from now through December 2015 and enjoy double discounts. That means you take 20% off any merchandise you purchase! Offer ONLY valid on the 25th of the month

Reserve your Birthday party.

To book your Basic or Deluxe birthday party celebration at the Lincoln Children's Museum, click on the "Book a Party" button on our website or call 477-4000 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. .

To book your Ultimate birthday party celebration at the Lincoln Children's Museum, call 477-4000 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Museum Rental

Choose the most unique and memorable setting for your organization’s next event by holding it at the Lincoln Children’s Museum. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for an affordable venue with an atmosphere that all of your guests will enjoy.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

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Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

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2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

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West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

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