In a world where children are increasingly immersed in the digital realm, KidCo. Children’s Museum offers a beacon of imagination, creativity, and hands-on learning. KidCo. is a place where young minds are invited to explore, discover, and play, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
“We have that feel of a children’s museum mixed with an indoor playground,” said owner Aaron Duma. “We’re very imagination-based, and we are anti-tech, so you’ll never see a screen here.”
KidCo. Children’s Museum is not just a place; it’s an experience. The museum offers an array of interactive exhibits that cater to children ages one to eight, providing a diverse range of educational opportunities in a fun and engaging space.
Interactive Exhibits
One of the highlights of KidCo. Children’s Museum is its impressive array of interactive exhibits that were carefully designed by Aaron and Emily Duma and their partner Tom Kemmer. The exhibits were created to stimulate curiosity and spark the imagination. With each visit, there’s something new to discover, ensuring endless fascination for your child.
Children can play in the Tiny Town, the KidCo. Castle, Foam Pit, Construction Zone, Glow Zone, Puppet Theatre, Toddler Gym, or Costume Corner, just to name a few. A fan favorite exhibit is the Woosher (a long tube with air rushing through).
“The Woosher is a big hit,” Aaron said. “The kiddos absolutely love watching scarves and balls shoot through it.”
Another popular exhibit is the Glow Zone, which Aaron designed after a trip to Meow Wolf in New Mexico.
“We painted the whole room black, splattered it with UV-responsive paint, and then hung the UV lights,” Aaron explained. “Now, the kids have a place to actually color on the walls, which they absolutely love.”
Aaron and Emily’s kids had a big hand in the design of many of the exhibits. The slide coming out of the Castle into the foam pit was a request from Aaron’s son and bright green and purple walls are also an homage to their son and daughter’s favorite colors.
A Place to Gather
The exhibits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do at KidCo. Children’s Museum.
“We’ve had some kiddie concerts. We plan on doing those on a monthly basis,” Aaron said.
“We’re also starting a Thursday night Discovery Series where we’ll have drawing classes, sculpting classes, and music classes, along with other fun, creative, and interactive things with kiddos throughout the winter.”
Aaron hopes that events like these will foster a sense of community and togetherness. The museum also offers spaces to host birthday parties and bell-ringing parties.
“We started doing bell-ringing parties, which is for kiddos to ring the bell when they finished chemotherapy and are cancer free,” Aaron explained. “We offer bell-ringing parties at half-price.”
Besides special events, KidCo. Children’s Museum has sensory-sensitive sessions for children with autism every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and toddler-only sessions every Friday and Saturday morning for children ages three and under.
A Destination for Family Bonding
KidCo. Children’s Museum is not just a place for kids–it’s a destination for family bonding. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate, making each visit an opportunity for shared exploration and quality time together.
“It’s all really about kids interacting with one another and their guardians,” Aaron said.
KidCo. is chock full of fun things for kids to do, but many of the most insightful details are for the parents.
“We have seating everywhere to keep an eye on your kiddo. We have charging stations and purse hooks all the way around the seating area so that there’s, you know, comfortable places for folks to sit,” Aaron says. “We provide complimentary coffee and infused water, and we sell affordable snacks. We also have complimentary wipes and diapers available. We tried to think of all the things that parents might need or want when they get here so if somebody forgets those little things like that, we have them readily available.”
Growing and Expanding
In August of this year, KidCo. Children’s Museum opened its 1,500-square-foot addition, with the help of financing from West Central Initiative.
The expansion created a designated space for toddlers to play safely, a much-anticipated lactation room, a birthday party room, and additional classroom and event space.
“We really wanted a designated birthday party room, which will double as classrooms for our Discovery Series,” Aaron explained.
“We try and make our birthday parties really easy,” Aaron said. “Plates, napkins, forks, tablecloths, seating, pizzas, bottomless lemonade—it’s all included. So, all you have to do is show up with the kid and the cake and leave with the presents.”
And of course, more space means more room for kids to play!
“Before the expansion, we had about a 25-kiddo capacity,” Aaron said. “Now, we have space for 40 kids to play.”
Plan Your Visit
Check out playkidco.com to plan your trip to KidCo. Children’s Museum.
KidCo. Children’s Museum is more than just a place for kids to play – it’s a place for children to learn, explore, and grow. When you visit, you’re embarking on a journey of discovery and creativity. KidCo. Children’s Museum is a must-visit for any family looking to nurture the minds of their little ones.
