Delaware Children's Museum

Children's museums are popping up all over the country—and for good reason. Here are some facts that show how everyone benefits:

Children’s museums are the youngest and fastest growing museums in the country and world.

• The number of children’s museums has more than doubled since 1978.
• More than 70 Association of Children's Museum (ACM) members are currently undergoing building or expansion projects.
• More than 30 million individuals around the world visit children’s museums annually.
• Child Magazine lists children’s museums as “the hottest spots for learning and fun.”

Children’s museums serve as “town squares” and build social capital.

• Programs that benefit children motivate community involvement.
• When children play in a children’s museum, objective and quantifiable learning takes place.
• Children’s museums are in a unique position to help reverse feelings of stigma and discrimination.

• 65% of children’s museums are located in urban areas.

• Children’s museums deliberately and thoughtfully welcome community participation in the museum experience.

Children’s museums complement and supplement traditional educational resources.

• Children’s museums light a creative spark for discovery and lifelong learning.
• The Delaware Children’s Museum’s exhibits complement state educational curriculum standards.
• The Delaware Children’s Museum also offers an educational program off-site, at schools throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland: The Earth Balloon.
  

Children’s museums contribute to local economies.

• Non-profit arts institutions and museums are a cornerstone of tourism.
• More than 30% of children’s museums are part of a downtown revitalization project.
• Many city planners regard children’s museums as an anchor for nearby attractions, restaurants and local businesses.
• The total economic activity of Association of Children’s Museum members is $449 million.

Facts and statistics from "The Case for Children's Museums,"
 Association of Children's Museums, Washington, D.C., 2008.

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