Since opening its doors in April 2010, the Delaware Children’s Museum is the only children’s museum in the state and has welcomed over 1 million guests.

The big, yellow building on Wilmington’s Riverfront is specifically designed to serve young children by offering hands-on, unique exhibits and programming powered by STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education and playful learning.

For generations of Delaware children, the DCM is their first museum experience. The children who explored our galleries when we opened are now in college or will be graduating from high school. Our young visitors today are discovering STEAM in our exhibits and programs.

DCM’s founders wanted to bring a unique experience to children in Delaware. Our first board president, William Smith, and current board member explained the founders’ vision: “When I first was involved with the DCM, my children were young. The founding members envisioned a place children could learn about the world and for me, the effect science has in their day-to-day environment.  The goal was to have a safe place children can learn through play.  I am so pleased we have continued to achieve this mission.”

We see the power of play every day at DCM. Young children learn through their play, and play is the serious work of childhood.

Playful learning or “plearning” was coined by Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair and professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware and former DCM board member.

She shared her thoughts on how the DCM is an important resource to families: “Research tells us that the kind of play that takes place in children’s museums is very important to children’s wellbeing – especially after COVID when children experienced much isolation and too much screen time (although this was often essential so that parents could work.) DCM is a gift to the children and families in our community and deserves our full support!”