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Inspiring

The KidZone Museum is a children's museum in Truckee, California serving 22,000+ visits annually. Our mission is to inspire learning through creative play and discovery.

We exsist so children can learn through play and to inspire curiosity and create a life-long love of learning through exploration and discovery. Steve Jobs said,""The elements of discovery are all around you...... through exploration and learning one could understand seemingly very complex things in one's environment. My childhood was very fortunate in that way."

We can't say it better than Steve Jobs or the many researchers who say children need imaginary, exploratory play, in order to become the problem solving engineers of the future. Plus play makes us all super happy!

Awards

KidZone Museum recieved the 2011 MetLife and Association of Children's Museum Promising Practice Award for our KidsReach program.

 

 

Wondering About the Weather?

Very rarely, the Museum must close due to extreme weather. If it's a stormy day and you are wondering if we are open, call ahead! Dial 530.587.KIDS (5437) and listen to the menu for holiday and inclement weather closings.

Green Zone Keepping Kids Healthy

Here at the Museum we are committed to creating a Green-Zone for you and your children. The philosophy of Green-Zone complements our whole child philosophy of health and well being. By using tried and true non-toxic EPA recommended cleaning products, we are creating a clean space to play, with good air quality, not compromising your child's immune, nervous or endocrine system - as some cleaners are proven to do. We will also be protecting the environment from any further harm, ensuring a healthier world for your child and grandchildren. We clean and sanitize daily and hang a board at the Museum with the last time each area was cleaned.

You can help us by NOT bringing your sick child to the Museum. If your child has a green filled runny nose, and preshool says he can't stay, that means it's best to play at home. Even if you think your child is "not really sick," we do serve some children who are immunocompromised and catching a sickness from another child is a hardship for them.

Learn More how you can begin Green Cleaning at home.

Resources

Our History

The Sierra Nevada Children's Museum was founded by a grassroots coalition of community members, parents and educators in 1992. This group was inspired to address a need for hands-on education for children especially during our snowy winter months. A few years later, local children's advocacy group began testing our kindergartners on a national test for appropriate development. They found that over 60% of our 5-year-olds were scoring below average on gross motor skill development. Because of these findings, the Sierra Nevada Children's Museum partnered with community members to build our current KidZone Museum facility, which includes an indoor play structure.

KidZone Museum Founding Partners

  • Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee
  • First Five Nevada County
  • First Five Placer County
  • Tahoe Truckee Unified School District
  • Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
  • Truckee Donner Public Utilities District
  • Truckee Family Club (aka Truckee Family Connection)
  • Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation

Sierra Nevada Children's Museum Founding Partners

  • Susan Ray and Judy Thomas, Founders
  • Rich Welsch
  • Steve Gross
  • Michele Franke
  • Mary Hetherington
  • Hillary Humphreys, First Volunteer Executive Director
  • Pamela Williams
  • Barb Wilkinson, KidZone Museum Executive Director Emeritus

Dreams for the Future

Our vision is to broaden our reach and extend our programs to more children and their families in our region. We envision a new 15,000 square-foot facility with the following program expansions:

Playing: A rich array of permanent and regularly changing exhibits, for early learners and school-age children, that invite children to lead with their imaginations, to explore without limitation and to learn through hands-on discovery.

Learning: A large environment with an outdoor area where children can experience and learn about nature. An environment that inspires children to learn - with family-centered, child-driven programs and expanded partnerships with schools, educators, local non-profit groups and other museums.

Connecting: A larger center that encourages public engagement and sustains dynamic community partnerships. This center will enable the KidZone Museum to eliminate barriers to learning and to create a community that embraces children and their families. The center will expand our services to youth and include space for us to host our array of music and family theatre events.

Sustaining: A museum educational store and café would greatly increase our operating income enabling us to remain a steadfast community benefit. A new facility will give us the visibility to attract new benefactors, partners and donors - securing our future in the community.

“Dreams For the Future” – They can come true with your help and support.