activities · 21
what they do
direct service · 21
- Conducting Summer Camps STEM-Focused Educational Field TripsOffers full-day summer camps for children ages 5-8, focusing on hands-on exploration and free play, with free museum admission for campers and one adult during the camp week.
- Deliver school and group field trip programs STEM-Focused Educational Field TripsThe museum offers field trip programs for groups of 10 or more children at $9 per child, with one free adult admission for every five children. It also provides specialized educational programs such as "COLOR-GORIES," "SENSE-SATIONAL SENSES," and "ELECTRICITY INVESTIGATORS – POWER UP!" for Pre-K through grade 5 students, aligned with curriculum standards.
- Host birthday parties and private events Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesThe museum hosts birthday parties for up to 40 guests, offering all-day museum access, 90 minutes of private room use, options for popcorn/cotton candy/snow cone machines, and return visit passes for child guests. Private event spaces accommodate up to 300 guests and support external entertainment and catering.
- Host daily and recurring educational programs for children and families Nature-Based Early Childhood EducationThe museum hosts daily and weekly programs such as Wee Storytime at 9:30 AM, Generation Creation at 1 PM, and Family Brain Boost on weekends with bilingual science activities. Monthly programs include "Harvesting Health" on the first weekend and special events like Desert Discovery Day, providing structured, hands-on learning aligned with exhibit themes.
- Hosting Birthday Parties and Private Events Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesHosts birthday parties and private events, providing all-day museum access, private room use, and optional amenities like special machines, designed to be enjoyable for children and low-stress for parents, accommodating up to 40 guests for parties and 300 for other events.
- Hosting Birthday Parties and Private Events Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesHosts birthday parties for children, offering all-day museum access, private room use, and optional amenities like special machines. The museum also provides space for other events, accommodating up to 300 guests.
- Hosting Special Events and Programs Nature-Based Early Childhood EducationHosts a variety of daily, weekly, and monthly programs and special events, including Wee Storytime, Harvesting Health, Family Brain Boost, Generation Creation, Desert Discovery Day, and Nostalgia Night for adults, complementing its exhibits and engaging visitors in diverse activities.
- Maintain outdoor and garden installations for interactive learningThe museum maintains the Rooted Heritage Garden and Curiosity Courtyard, offering hands-on, interactive experiences focused on Sonoran Desert ecology, creativity, culture, and inclusion. The Courtyard includes musical instruments like drums and xylophones and space for reflection.
- Offer discounted and free admission programs for low-income, military, and community partner families Arts Ticket Access ProgramsThe museum provides half-price admission for up to four people to families with EBT/SNAP or WIC cards through the ALL Kids Play program, free admission for military children, free admission via Pima County Public Library Act One Culture Pass (two visits), and free or pay-what-you-wish access during special events like Discovery Nights and Art after Dark.
- Offering Free and Discounted Evening/Weekend Admission Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers free admission on Thursday evenings from 5–7 pm for Discovery Nights at the Tucson location, free admission on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Oro Valley location, and pay-what-you-wish admission on the second Saturday of each month for Art after Dark.
- Offering Sensory-Friendly Museum ExperiencesOperates the MyTime program, providing a quieter, sensory-controlled museum experience for children with special needs and their families, including recurring sessions and half-price admission during specific weekday hours.
- Operate interactive museum exhibits focused on STEM, culture, and play Interactive Children's Museum ProgramsThe museum operates 14 galleries of interactive exhibits including Bodyology, Imagine It!, Sense of Place, Investigation Station, Electri-City, Pet Vet, Whistle Stop, Gravity, Community Care, and Wee World, offering hands-on learning in science, health, engineering, Tucson landmarks, and imaginative role-play. These exhibits support play-based exploration of the human body, electricity, transportation, public safety, and the Sonoran Desert environment.
- Operate seasonal and special event programming STEM-Focused Educational Field TripsThe museum hosts full-day summer camps for children ages 5–8 focused on hands-on exploration and free play, with free admission for campers and one adult during their session week. It also runs special events such as Nostalgia Night for adults 21+, Art after Dark, and Discovery Nights.
- Operating Free and Discounted Admission Evenings Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers free admission on Thursday evenings from 5–7 pm for Discovery Nights at the Tucson location, and pay-what-you-wish admission on the second Saturday of each month for Art after Dark, as well as free admission on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Oro Valley location.
- Operating Interactive Children's Museum Exhibits Interactive Children's Museum ProgramsOperates a children's museum with 14 galleries of interactive exhibits, including Bodyology, Imagine It!, Sense of Place, Investigation Station, Electri-City, Pet Vet, Whistle Stop, Curiosity Courtyard, Gravity, Community Care, and Wee World, focusing on hands-on learning, STEM, culture, and the Sonoran Desert.
- Provide inclusive access programs for underserved and neurodiverse familiesThe museum offers the MyTime program weekdays from 3–5 PM, providing a quieter, sensory-controlled environment with half-price admission for families needing supportive experiences, particularly those with children with special needs. Noise-cancelling headphones and a non-motorized wheelchair are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Providing Educational Programs for Groups STEM-Focused Educational Field TripsOffers field trip programs for groups of 10 or more children, summer camps for ages 5-8, and specific educational programs like "COLOR-GORIES," "SENSE-SATIONAL SENSES," and "ELECTRICITY INVESTIGATORS – POWER UP!" for various age groups, often including free museum admission for participants.
- Providing Educational Programs for Schools and Groups Nature-Based Early Childhood EducationOffers field trip programs for groups of 10 or more children, as well as specific educational programs like "COLOR-GORIES" for Pre-K–K students, "SENSE-SATIONAL SENSES" for Pre-K–K, and "ELECTRICITY INVESTIGATORS – POWER UP!" for grades 1–4, and an interactive jazz program for grades 4–5.
- Providing Inclusive Museum Access Programs Arts Ticket Access ProgramsOffers various programs to make the museum accessible, including discounted admission for families with EBT/WIC cards, free admission for military families and library cardholders, and a scholarship program for memberships. It also provides accommodations like noise-cancelling headphones and wheelchairs.
- Providing Interactive Jazz Programs Youth Choral Education & Performance ProgramsProvides an interactive jazz program for students in grades 4–5, led by young professional musicians from the Tucson Jazz Festival.
- Support community access through membership and scholarship programs Arts Ticket Access ProgramsThe museum offers Gears & Stars scholarships to help families afford memberships, discounted Family Fun Memberships for employees of partner companies, free admission for members, and a special nonprofit membership program allowing organizations to provide free museum access to their clients or employees.
strategies · 20
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Bilingual programming to serve diverse linguistic communities bilingual_educationThe museum offers bilingual nature-based and field trip programming to increase access and engagement for Spanish-speaking and dual-language learners, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Southern Arizona.
- Community representation and belonging through diverse staffing and governance community_representation_and_inclusionThe museum actively strives to reflect the diversity of the Southern Arizona community in staffing, governance, programs, and services to foster inclusion and a sense of belonging for all visitors.
- Community-Responsive and Inclusive Programming inclusive_programmingThe organization strives to reflect and honor the diversity of the community in its staffing, governance, programs, and services to create a sense of belonging. This includes offering bilingual programming, accommodating sensory needs, and providing family-friendly facilities.
- Event-based engagement for families and adults event-based_engagementThe museum leverages birthday parties and adult-only evening events to create memorable, engaging experiences that attract diverse audiences and strengthen community ties.
- Extended community access via off-site and mobile programming off-site_programmingThrough off-site partnerships, the museum delivers early literacy and nature-based programming to underserved or geographically distant communities, expanding reach beyond the physical museum.
- Extending Access Through Off-Site and Diverse Programming off_site_programmingThe organization extends its reach and accessibility by offering programming at off-site locations and providing diverse event types, including adult-only events and event hosting, to engage a broader audience beyond its main facility.
- Extending Engagement Through Off-Site and Event-Based Programming community_outreach_and_event_engagementThe organization extends its reach beyond the museum walls by offering off-site programming to increase access to early literacy and nature-based activities. Additionally, it leverages its facilities and interactive exhibits to host special events and adult-focused evenings, creating diverse engagement opportunities and memorable experiences for various audiences.
- Family-engaged learning through co-participation in exhibits and programs family-engaged_learningExhibits and experiences are intentionally designed to promote joint play, learning, and discovery between children and their caregivers, strengthening family bonds and supporting intergenerational learning.
- Fostering Learning Through Play and Experiential Exploration play_based_learningThe organization believes that play-based, hands-on exploration and experiential learning are effective mechanisms for fostering creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning in various subjects, including science, technology, engineering, art, and real-world skills.
- Fostering Learning Through Play and Experiential Exploration play_based_learningThe organization believes that play-based, hands-on exploration is the most effective way to foster creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning in science, technology, engineering, and art. This approach is integrated into all museum experiences, including birthday celebrations and field trips, to engage both children and their caregivers in joint discovery and skill development.
- Guided school field trips combining structure with exploratory learning guided_learning_with_explorationStudent field trips use a model that blends guided instruction with hands-on activities and free exploration to maximize engagement and educational impact during school visits.
- Inclusive access through sensory-sensitive, ADA-compliant, and family-supportive design inclusive_programmingThe museum ensures accessibility via a low-sensory program (MyTime), ADA-compliant service animal policies, private nursing and diaper-changing spaces, and design features that support diverse physical, sensory, and caregiving needs.
- Integrating Local Environment and Culture into Education environmental_and_cultural_integrationThe organization integrates the natural and cultural environment of the Sonoran Desert into its children's programming. By collaborating with botanical gardens and focusing on local ecology, it provides unique educational experiences that connect children to their regional surroundings.
- Integrating Local Environment and Culture into Learning environmental_and_cultural_integrationThe organization integrates children's programming with the natural and cultural environment of the Sonoran Desert, using local ecology and adaptations as a basis for experiential and movement-based learning.
- Integration of local Sonoran Desert ecology and culture into experiential programming environmental_and_cultural_integrationProgramming is grounded in the natural and cultural environment of the Sonoran Desert, using experiential, movement-based, and nature-connected learning to teach children about local ecology and adaptations.
- Play-based, hands-on learning as core educational methodology play-based_learningThe museum uses play-based, interactive, and hands-on exploration as the primary method to engage children and families, fostering creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning across science, technology, engineering, art, and real-world skills.
- Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity inclusive_design_and_programmingThe organization strives to create an inclusive environment by reflecting the diversity of the community in its operations and offering specialized programming and facilities. This includes providing bilingual educational content, accommodating visitors with sensory needs, welcoming service animals, and supporting caregivers with dedicated spaces, ensuring a sense of belonging for all visitors.
- Promoting Family-Engaged and Guided Learning family_engaged_learningThe organization designs experiences to promote joint play, learning, and discovery between children and their caregivers, and utilizes guided learning models for groups to enhance engagement and educational outcomes.
- Screen-free environment to promote active, imaginative play screen-free_playThe museum intentionally excludes screens to encourage children to engage in active, tactile, and imaginative forms of play that support cognitive and social development.
- Use of historic and interactive museum space for external events event_hostingThe museum’s downtown location, historic building, courtyard, and exhibits serve as a venue for private events such as reunions and corporate gatherings, broadening community use and revenue streams.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Birthday Parties
Private party experiences for children, including all-day museum access and themed celebration rooms.
Field Trips
Guided learning experiences for groups of children, including activities and demonstrations tailored to various educational topics.
Generation Creation
Creative workshops that encourage children to explore their artistic abilities through various mediums.
Nature Niños Activity
Hands-on activities focused on nature and environmental education for children.
Wee Story Time
Interactive story sessions designed for young children to promote literacy and engagement.
relationships · 54
who they work with
- ASTC Network — Is a member of ASTC but does not participate in the ASTC Passport Program.
- AZ Humanities Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Angel Charity for Children Partner — Hosts camp programming at the Angel Charity for Children Education Center.
- Archwell Health Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Arizona Commission on the Art Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Arizona Community Foundation Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Arizona Complete Health Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Arizona Complete Health Partner — Sponsors the "Community Care" exhibit.
- Arts Foundation of Southern Arizona Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- BeachFleischman Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Caterpillar Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Citi Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- City of Tucson Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- City of Tucson Ward 6 Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Cox Communications Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Desert Valley Pediatric Dentistry Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Encompass Health Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- FRED & CHRISTINE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION Funder — Supported by the foundation.
- FRED & CHRISTINE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION Funder — Supports the ALL Kids Play admission discount program.
- First Things First Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- HSL Properties Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- KAI FAMILY FOUNDATION Partner — Sponsor of the daily Wee Storytime program.
- Kinder Morgan Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Marshall Foundation Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Oro Valley Children's Museum Partner — Satellite location of Children's Museum Tucson
- O’Rielly Motors Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- PHILIP J & CAROL J LYONS FOUNDATION Funder — Supports the ALL Kids Play admission discount program.
- PNC Bank Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
- Pima County Partner — Corporate partner whose employees receive discounted museum memberships.
+ 24 more