London Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | 100 Kellogg Lane London, Ontario N5W 0B4 |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Visitors | 100,000 |
| Founder | Carol Johnston |
The London Children's Museum is a special place in London, Ontario, Canada. It is a private museum that helps kids learn and have fun. It was the very first children's museum ever opened in Canada!
A woman named Carol Johnston started the museum in 1975. She got the idea after visiting the Boston Children's Museum with her family. Today, the museum welcomes many visitors each year. Amanda Conlon is the current leader, called the executive director.
Contents
Museum History and Location
The London Children's Museum has moved a few times since it first opened. It started in the old City Centre. In 1982, the museum found a permanent home. It moved into the building of the former Riverview Public School. This was possible thanks to a grant from the Richard Ivey Foundation.
In 2014, the museum sold its building on Wharncliffe Road. However, it continued to use the space until at least 2021. The museum then moved to a new and exciting location. It is now in a former Kellogg's cereal factory. This big building is at 100 Kellogg Lane in the east end of the city.
New Home at Kellogg Lane
The museum now occupies the fourth floor of the Kellogg's building. This floor has very tall ceilings, about 25 feet (7.6 meters) high. After moving, the museum worked on creating many new exhibits. In 2018, a company from Oakland, California, helped design these fun new areas.
The new museum has eight "immersive and interactive" areas. These are places where children and their families can explore and play. Some of these areas include a garden patio and a main street-themed exhibit. There is also a river-themed exhibit and a room for discovering archaeology. The museum even has a large playground on the rooftop! The old museum location at 21 Wharncliffe Road was sold on December 25, 2024.
Exciting Exhibits to Explore
The London Children's Museum is full of interesting things to see and do. One of the most amazing exhibits is Bellina. Bellina is a real whale skeleton that hangs in the museum's main hall. It is a huge and impressive sight!
Other popular exhibits include an arctic exhibit. Here, you can learn about the cold regions of the world. There is also a dinosaur exhibit. This section lets you discover more about these ancient creatures.
Museum Connections
The London Children's Museum works with other important groups. These connections help the museum share knowledge and grow.
The museum is connected with:
