The Children's Museum of Houston

The Museum employs credentialled educators who manage thirteen bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibit galleries, an on-site branch of the Houston Public Library, and programming that changes weekly. These exhibits/programs are focused on the development of literacy and engagement in hands-on, inquiry-based investigations of science, technology, engineering, and math (i.e., the STEM disciplines). The museum served 645,00 visitors up from 417,000 from the prior year. There were two main factors for this drastic increase in attendance: 1) The public's robust return to normalcy post COVD and 2) The museum began opening Sundays, which had been a day which was closed for the previous 3 years. About One-third of the visitors receive free admission via weekly free family nights and the open doors free museum admission passes distributed to low-income families by community-based partners at 1,060+ locations across Greater Houston.

Visitor services including facilitation of exhibits and programs, volunteers, service support, and conveniences including parking.

Community outreach programs serving low-income families in under-resourced neighborhoods include a) programs that increase the quality of experiential learning opportunities for children participating in after school centers and summer camps; and b) programs that equip parents to engage their children in learning at home using inexpensive and readily available supplies. In FY23, these programs achieved attendance of 186,300 through outreach at 277 locations across Greater Houston. All programing is provided free of charge to participants in collaboration with partners that include Title I schools, afterschool centers, community centers, healthcare clinics, low-income housing apartments, library branches and faith-based organizations.

The Gift Shop - The Gift Shop sells an array of unique, educational toys and games for children aged birth to 12 years old. Merchandise sold includes simulating science and math products that are related to the visitor's experience in the Museum. Many items are used in the exhibits and programs throughout the Museum. All products relate to the Museum's exhibits and programs. The Cafe - The Cafe offers nutritious food for any time of the day so visitors can enjoy a healthy and affordable meal without having to leave the Museum. S.E.C.R.E.T - A fee-based interactive experience designed to take a child's (8 and over) museum experience to the next level. Using state-of-the art technology, kids report to duty and are assigned a S.E.C.R.E.T. mission. The museum combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with hands-on educational elements that encourage problem solving, critical thinking, data analysis, programming and teamwork which helps the visitor to solve puzzles, discover hidden agendas and thwart the villains' schemes.