Help Us Open the Doors on Phase One!
Our Mission
The Great Plains Children’s Museum is a welcoming, community-rooted hub where play-based learning helps children grow and where families connect to one another, trusted early childhood resources, and a village of support through inclusive experiences and strong partnerships.
We envision a Great Plains region where every child thrives and every caregiver feels seen, supported, and inspired throughout the early childhood journey. The museum is a joyful gathering place that strengthens community ties by bringing families together, elevating local pride, and serving as a vital community resource families can return to again and again.
How You Can Help Us Take Flight!
With your support, we can open phase 1, the “Discovery Play Lab” in Q3 of 2026!!
A living and changing prototype of the future Great Plains Children’s Museum:
- Rotating mini-versions of the final museum exhibits.
- Programming for parents and caregivers to support your early childhood journey.
- A fully built out sensory and process art exhibit space.
- An open invitation to help conceptualize and influence the future of the children’s museum as an active play engineer.
What will it look like?
Phase 1 will NOT be the full museum…yet.
It will be the first public activation of the future museum.
The initial experience would be centered around:
- SPLAT: an immersive art, sensory, and creative discovery lab
- Partner programming: rotating workshops, community-led sessions, caregiver-child programs, and early childhood enrichment
- Preview space: visuals and information showing what the full museum will become
- Founder/community events: opportunities for families and supporters to see the museum grow
- Flexible hands-on activities: rotating creative, sensory, and process-based experiences
Where will it be?
The full building in Fargo, ND is approximately 17,870 sq ft, but Phase 1 would activate a smaller, intentional portion of the space first.
When will it open?
Our goal is to open Phase 1 as soon as late summer or early fall 2026, depending on lease approval, fundraising progress, permitting, buildout, staffing, and safety readiness.
Who is allowed to go in the space?
Phase 1 would be open to the public once operational, but access may be structured and capacity-managed.
Hours & Rates
What are the Hours of Operation?
Phase 1 hours will likely begin with a limited schedule and expand as staffing, attendance, and programming demand grow. The goal is to offer consistent public access while maintaining a high-quality experience and responsible operating costs.
How much will it cost during Phase 1?
Founding Family campaign
- This is a philanthropic campaign to help launch the museum. Specifics on benefits can be found here.
- Founding Families may also make payments via DAF, check, or direct payment methods rather than the link above. Please contact our team to set up your founding family payment. (info@greatplainscm.com)
Phase 1: Rates (these rates are only valid for Phase 1)
- As this initial phase is not the full museum and a prototype facility, we will not initially offer annual memberships. Rather, we will offer day passes and monthly recurring memberships.
Day Passes (includes in/out privileges)
- $8 per child over 12 months / No charge for adults; multi-child discounts
- Under 12 Months — $2 per accompanying adult or free with paying sibling
Monthly Memberships (includes in/out privileges):
- $30 per month for two children
- $60 per month for a family (up to 5 children per session. Additional children charged at 50% daily rate / $4 per child or $10 per month)
- Members will also receive discounts on workshops, classes, and purchases (specifics to be determined)
Join our Monthly Membership wait list to stay up to date on the latest progress towards opening.