Betty Brinn Children's Museum to Double in Size with New Milwaukee Location

The museum plans to add outdoor exhibits, rotating displays, and more play-based learning opportunities by 2026.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee is planning a major expansion to a new, larger location that will double the size of the current museum. The new museum, slated to open in 2026, will feature outdoor exhibit areas, rotating exhibits, and enhanced play-based educational programming to meet high demand for the museum's offerings. With the current building lease expiring in 2032, the museum says the expansion is necessary to continue serving the community, especially given Milwaukee's high child poverty rate.

Why it matters

The Betty Brinn Children's Museum is a vital educational and cultural institution in Milwaukee, providing play-based learning experiences for children and families. The expansion will allow the museum to serve more visitors, offer new exhibits and programming, and continue its mission of making its resources accessible to underserved communities in the city.

The details

The new Betty Brinn Children's Museum will be approximately double the size of the current 10,500-square-foot facility, allowing for more exhibit space, outdoor areas, and rotating displays. The museum is working with design and real estate experts to finalize the new location within the city of Milwaukee, with the goal of having the plans solidified by 2026. The expansion is part of a larger master planning process that kicked off in 2025 to reimagine the museum's future.

  • The museum's current building lease with the Milwaukee Art Museum expires in 2032.
  • The museum's New Museum Task Force began developing a comprehensive master plan in 2025.
  • The new, expanded Betty Brinn Children's Museum is slated to open in 2026.

The players

Betty Brinn Children's Museum

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has welcomed more than 4.9 million children and families to exhibits, programs, and experiences since its founding in 1995.

Tina Quealy

The CEO of the Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

MC Group

A firm working with the museum on the expansion plans.

Colliers

A firm working with the museum on the expansion plans.

Skyhouse Studio

Experts in human-centered design of museums and cultural institutions, serving on the New Museum Task Force.

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What they’re saying

“Betty Brinn Children's Museum is being completely reimagined through a multidimensional, holistic Master Planning Process. The new museum is being entirely reimagined to feature the United States' newest, best-in-class children's museum experience. It will be a bold expression of our mission, a vibrant regional destination serving as a vital part of early childhood education.”

— Tina Quealy, CEO of the Betty Brinn Children's Museum (fox6now.com)

What’s next

The museum's New Museum Task Force, which includes board and executive leadership as well as design experts, will finalize the location and plans for the new, expanded Betty Brinn Children's Museum by 2026.

The takeaway

The Betty Brinn Children's Museum's expansion demonstrates its commitment to providing high-quality, accessible educational experiences for children and families in Milwaukee, especially in a city with high child poverty rates. The new, larger museum will allow the institution to better serve the community and continue its mission of play-based learning.