A colorful hot air balloon with the words reaching new heights below it

New Programming Initiatives

STEAMworks

This initiative explores STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). By diving into robotics, circuits, 3-D

printing, science experiments, building challenges and more,

museum guests interact with hands-on, spotlight activities with a weekly focus. This program is intended for visitors as their beginning interaction with scientific learning, engineering design, and technology integration. 

TINKER IN THE TRADES

This initiative reminds guests that it is not just how to build a house, but

rather WHO builds the house. Community partners from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, local businesses, and trade unions will guide museum

guests through interactive challenges as they explore the skills and tools needed to excel in trades careers. This program will lay the foundation and light the spark for future careers in carpentry, masonry, welding, plumbing, and electrician work. 

Healthy Living Initiative

This initiative will teach children and families how important nutrition and good habits are to keep themselves healthy and safe. While a year-round initiative, this will be core to summer programming when the Museum currently sees over 30,000 guests. Fork Farm hydroponics system allows for year-round growing. This initiative has three primary components: 

GARDEN TO TABLE

"Garden to Table" will empower children and families through outdoor experiential education by creating garden-based, hands-on learning. By making gardens more accessible to children, families, and educators, Garden to Table will provide an understanding of where their food comes from and the impact food choices have on living healthy lives.

GROWING STRONG

“Growing Strong” will highlight the importance of making healthy decisions to take care of our bodies. Through hands-on learning and movement activities, children and families will learn about nutrition, physical exercise, the body’s systems, and good hygiene. Growing Strong focuses on how small daily choices can build big healthy lives. 

SAFETY SMART

“Safety Smart” will provide children and families with information to make choices that will keep themselves and others safe, in both indoor and outdoor locations, in varying weather conditions and seasons, and in emergencies and daily situations. Safety Smart reminds children to stay safe while having fun. 

Literacy Initiative

Early literacy begins in toddlerhood, making these years critical for shaping language and literacy development. Skills like alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, vocabulary expansion, and print awareness are cultivated through reading books and engaging with stories. Story times and reading programs not only promote these skills but also encourage socialization, introduce new perspectives, and nurture emotional awareness in young minds. Research shows that children who enjoy reading at a young age perform better in school, yet only 27% of Brown County students meet third-grade reading proficiency targets.


At the 2022 Reading Success Summit with Achieve Brown County, parents shared that awards for reading helped motivate their children. The Children’s Museum of Green Bay can be a powerful partner in this effort by providing educational play experiences as extrinsic rewards for reading achievements. These rewards can ultimately foster an intrinsic love of learning, setting children on a path toward future academic success.


By partnering with libraries and community organizations, the museum can offer more hands-on educational opportunities that inspire a lifelong love of reading. Together, we can support children’s literacy development, helping to close the gap in reading proficiency and prepare them for brighter futures.

Story Time at the Museum and Online

  • The Museum leads weekly in-person story times on Wednesday mornings, including corresponding hands-on project.
  • The Museum posts weekly recorded book readings online to social media platforms.
  • Special Guest Story Time with community organizations
  • Author Story Time with local authors 

Bilingual Story Time

In partnership with Casa ALBA Melanie, and funded by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Schreiber

  • Free monthly story time (one-hour)
  • Delivered in both English and Spanish, with translation provided by La Escuelita de Casa ALBA Melanie.
  • Bilingual Story Time includes book read-alouds, songs, hands-on projects, and museum play time after the program.

Partners In Play

Funded by the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation and the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS)


  • The Museum supports children’s programming at four rural libraries in Oconto County through:
  1. Outreach programs at each library during school breaks
  2. Museum admission passes as awards for summer reading programs
  3. Traveling mini exhibits that rotate between the libraries
  4. Passes for check-out from each libraries for free museum admission
A green library truck filled with books on a white background.

Brown County Libraries:

Summer Reading Program

  • The Museum donates 1,000 daily admission passes as incentives for children who reach their summer reading goals.

Brillion Public Library: Museum Pass for Check-Out

  • The Museum provides passes for free museum admission, which can be checked out from the library.
An american flag is flying in front of a brick building

Little Free Library

  • The Museum maintains an outdoor, on-site little free library for guests and community members.
Little free library at the children's museum
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