From the welcoming green courtyard to the prestigious historic building, you know you’re somewhere special before you even walk through the doors of the Children’s Museum Tucson.
It has come a long way since its humble beginnings 30 years ago in a one-room building in Fort Lowell Park as the Southwest Children’s Discovery Center.
The museum is the oldest of its kind in the state, said Teresa Truelsen, its director of marketing.
“We are happy to have been here 30 years, and we hope to be here 30 more,” Truelsen said.
During its 30 years, it has moved, renovated, rebranded and embraced new technology and exhibits, while hosting countless events.
“We offer a lot for families. Our goal is play-based learning. Even if the kids don’t realize they’re learning,” Truelsen said. “The important thing about us is that we are educators.”
Staying fresh
The board and staff are especially proud of the continued improvements to the exhibits and the expansion of its educational programming said Michael Luria, the museum’s executive director.
A new exhibit will make its way to the “Techtopia” room in the near future, where kids can jump and dance above a pattern as it’s recorded. They’ll be able to replay it and put it in slow motion to compare their tricks with their friends, Truelsen said.
A “Build It” area boasts stuff to build with and a rocket station where kids turn a crank until enough pressure builds to launch the rocket through a tube.
“The creativity that comes from the kids in the art studio always amazes me, and I love seeing our youngest visitors — 4 and under — explore and discover in Wee world,” Luria said. “You can literally see the wonderment and excitement in their eyes.”
Anniversary celebration
The museum is hosting an event to celebrate its 30th anniversary with $3 admission from 10 to 5 p.m., hands-on activities and free ice cream — while supplies last — on Saturday, July 30. Plus, Mr. Nature and his instrument petting zoo will be there from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
