As the third oldest children’s museum in the nation, the Detroit Children’s Museum has welcomed young people since 1917. Yet, despite its historical significance, the institution has faced numerous financial challenges, forcing it to shut its doors several times over the course of its lifetime. However, this summer, the children’s museum was able to reopen to the community after about 14 years.
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The Detroit Children’s Museum’s Roots in Education
The Detroit Children’s Museum has always been rooted in the arts and education. In fact, the museum originally opened as the children’s wing of the Detroit Museum of Art (i.e. the Detroit Institute of Art).
Since 1925, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has operated the museum. The museum’s reopening this year was made possible via an $800,000 grant secured by DPSCD Foundation.
Current exhibits
The museum offers an eclectic range of interactive and hands-on exhibits, featuring art, history, science and technology. Some of the new interactive exhibits including: the Middle Ages Tour, History of Electronic Communications and a 10-foot-long Under the Sea Display Wall. Other permanent exhibits include Ancient Egypt and the Friendship Doll Exhibit. A museum map is available here.
According to Donald Bogart, Senior Curator at the museum, the friendship doll exhibit is particularly unique, as it includes one of just 58 friendship dolls throughout the country. Miss Fukiko Akita, as she is named, was gifted to the Detroit Children’s Museum back in 1927 and sent from Japan. Bogart has worked with the museum since 2009, so he has seen the museum through its transitional phases. He shared that the museum “has a great team.” Bogart is excited about the museum’s new developments, which the new grant has enabled.
Community initiatives and special programming
Community Days
The museum will be open to families on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9am-3pm on Community Days. These will feature art activities, interactive exhibits, early learner exploration stations, fossil dig experiences, planetarium presentations and STEM challenges.
Upcoming 2026 Community Saturday Dates
- August 22, 2026
- September 26, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 2026 (Open for Noel Night)
Lending program
The museum offers a lending library of educational kits which are available to DPSCD teachers. A list of kits is available for teachers here.
Field trips
The museum will invite one DPSCD classroom each day (Tuesday-Friday) from 10am-1pm. Field Trips to the museum include a short academic lesson, exhibit and artifact observations, a planetarium show, and STEM and Art projects.
Planetarium
The museum features a 1968 Spitz Planetarium, which offers a constellation show. Note: The planetarium is currently closed and undergoing updates. Check the website for opening details.
Contact
For more information on programs and exhibits, contact 313-873-8100.
6134 Second Ave, Detroit. Hours: Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm(Reserved for School Field Trips) and the fourth Saturday of each month for community days.
