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Canadian Children's Museum facts for kids

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Canadian Children's Museum
Musée canadien des enfants
201708 ottawa museum history 10.jpg
Exhitibts at the Canadian Children's Museum
Established 1989
Location Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Type Children's museum

The Canadian Children's Museum (often called CCM) is a super fun place for kids! It's a special museum and exhibition hall run by the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

Imagine a huge play space designed just for you! The CCM is Canada's biggest exhibition center made for children up to 14 years old. About half a million people visit this exciting museum every year.

Discovering the Museum's History

The Children's Museum first opened its doors in 1989. This was when the Canadian Museum of History moved into its current building. Back then, it was known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Since it opened, the museum has grown even bigger! It expanded its amazing exhibits twice, first in 1994 and again in 2007. By July 2007, over eight million visitors had explored its halls. The museum closed for a big update in January 2020. It reopened in May 2022, ready for new adventures!

Exploring the Awesome Exhibits

Most of the museum's space is filled with its main exhibit, called The Great Adventure. This amazing area lets you travel the world without leaving Canada! You can explore different cultures from places like Nigeria, Japan, India, Mexico, and Indonesia.

The exhibit is packed with hands-on activities perfect for kids. You can find a special library and even a theater inside! The CCM also brings in new, exciting exhibits all the time. These special shows might be created by the museum itself or brought in from other places.

For example, in September 2022, the museum launched a cool exhibit. It was called "From Pepinot to PAW Patrol – Television of Our Childhoods." This show looked at 70 years of TV programs made for kids. It featured about a hundred different shows in English, French, and Indigenous languages. This special exhibit was created with help from CBC/Radio-Canada and Télé-Québec.

What the Museum Collects

The Children's Museum has a huge collection of over 15,000 items. These items are used in the museum's exhibits and programs. The collection includes many interesting things. You can find artifacts, toys, games, clothing, art, and photographs. These objects come from all over the world. They help tell stories about children's lives, both from the past and today.

Museum Connections Around the World

The Canadian Children's Museum is part of a big international group. It is a member of the Association of Children's Museums. This means it connects with other children's museums globally. It is also the only Canadian member of the Youth Museums Exhibit Collaborative. These connections help the museum share ideas and create even better experiences for visitors like you!

See also

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Learn more in Spanish

In Spanish: Museo de niños canadienses para niños

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Canadian Children's Museum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.