Children's Museum of Phoenix plans $23.5M transformation

The museum will expand its indoor and outdoor spaces over the next five years.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a miniature architectural model of a historic building surrounded by educational toys and learning materials, representing the upcoming transformation of the Children's Museum of Phoenix.A conceptual rendering of the Children's Museum of Phoenix's upcoming $23.5 million renovation and expansion, which will transform the historic building into a modern, state-of-the-art facility.Phoenix Today

The Children's Museum of Phoenix has launched a $23.5 million capital campaign to fund a major renovation and expansion project over the next five years. The plans include 27,000 square feet of interior renovations and an additional 10,000 square feet of new outdoor space, transforming the museum into one of the largest children's museums in the country.

Why it matters

The expansion will allow the museum to increase visitation, add new exhibits, and enhance early learning opportunities for children in the Phoenix area. As one of the city's most popular family attractions, the museum's growth reflects the region's rising population and demand for high-quality educational and recreational resources for kids.

The details

The renovation and expansion project will utilize all 80,000 square feet of space within the museum, which is housed in the historic 1914 Monroe School building. The interior renovations will modernize and expand the museum's exhibits and programming, while the new outdoor space will provide additional interactive learning and play areas.

  • The capital campaign was launched in March 2026.
  • The five-year transformation project is expected to be completed by 2031.

The players

Children's Museum of Phoenix

A popular family attraction in Phoenix, Arizona that provides educational and recreational experiences for children.

Kate Wells

The President and CEO of the Children's Museum of Phoenix.

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What they’re saying

“The expansion will transform the museum into one of the largest children's museums in the country, expanding visitations, exhibits, and early learning opportunities.”

— Kate Wells, President and CEO

What’s next

The museum plans to begin construction on the interior renovations in 2027, with the goal of completing the full transformation project by 2031.

The takeaway

The Children's Museum of Phoenix's ambitious $23.5 million expansion demonstrates the city's commitment to investing in high-quality educational and recreational resources for families, ensuring the museum can continue to serve as a premier destination for children's learning and exploration.