Text: Karla Jeltema
Bubbling with excitement, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will open its arms to welcome guests back to its hands-on learning space this August 2020. While many things have changed, most of the museum favorites will still be available to entertain and challenge young minds.
Once in the museum, visitors will notice the exhibits have been spread out for social distancing and ease of sanitizing. Ticketed, timed entries in two-hour block increments will allow about 125 guests inside at one time, which is a nearly 75 percent decrease in occupancy. Masks will be required for everyone older than two-years-old.

To protect small guests, exhibits like the sand area, puppets, and costumes will not be available for play. However, the popular “Bubble’s” area and “Little GR” are open with minimal modification.
For families still not ready to venture out, the “Play at Home” exhibits are still taking place weekly with Movement Mondays, Science Tuesday, Wild Wednesdays, Try-It Thursday, and Family Fridays. Fridays are also particularly special with the reading of Kendra McNeils’ series of books from “We are LIT.” These stories curate the most relevant and recent books that focus on the current sociopolitical environment with the hope of moving the conversation forward.
For hours of operation and ticketing information visit https://www.grcm.org or call 616.235.4726.
Photos courtesy GRCM