National Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Former name | Capital Children's Museum |
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| Established | 1974 |
| Location | Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, D.C. |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Accreditation | AAM, ACM, ASTC |
| Founder | Judith Grummon Nelson |
| Public transit access |  Washington Metro   at Federal Triangle |
The National Children's Museum is a fun place in downtown Washington, D.C. It is both a children's museum and a science center. This museum is made for kids up to 12 years old and their families. It has many hands-on exhibits. These exhibits help you explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
The museum first opened in 1974. It was located at 220 H Street, NE, from 1979 to 2004. After that, it became a "museum without walls" until 2009. Then, it opened a new spot in National Harbor, Maryland. That location closed in 2015. A brand new museum opened on February 24, 2020, inside the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington. It closed for a short time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum happily reopened its doors on September 2, 2021.
The main goal of the museum is to inspire kids. They want children to care about the world and help make it better. In 2003, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the museum. Congress saw a need for a special national place for children's learning and culture.
Museum's Journey: A Look Back
Judith Grummon Nelson started the museum in 1974. It was first called the Capital Children's Museum. In 1979, the museum moved into a building at 220 H Street, NE, in Washington, D.C. This building used to be a home for the Little Sisters of the Poor. The H Street location closed its doors in August 2004.
From 2004 to 2012, the National Children's Museum tried a new idea. It became a "museum without walls." This meant it worked with other groups and organizations. The museum took part in many events. These events reached hundreds of thousands of children and families. Some events included the White House Easter Egg Roll and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Museum staff also taught educational activities in 14 different states.
From 2009 to 2015, the museum was in National Harbor, Maryland. First, it had a smaller space called the Launch Zone. Later, it moved to a bigger spot with exhibits like "3 & Under" and "Our World." In November 2014, the museum decided to move back to Washington, D.C. The National Harbor location closed in January 2015.
New Home in Downtown D.C.
The museum looked for a long time for a new home. Finally, its leaders found an empty government space. It was right next to the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C. This spot is very close to the National Mall and the White House. The new space is 30,000 square feet, which is a lot of room for fun!
This new home was filled with modern exhibits. These exhibits help kids learn about STEAM topics. You can learn early computer skills and how to understand data. You can also explore how to design things and learn about the environment.
The Travel Channel thought the museum was one of the "10 Most Anticipated U.S. Museum Openings of 2019." USA Today also put it on its list of "Great New Museums for 2019."
The museum was first planned to open in March 2019. Its opening was delayed until November 1, 2019. Then, it was delayed again until February 24, 2020.
