Why Children’s Museums Must Keep Evolving, Even Before Breaking Ground

At the Grand Forks Children’s Museum, we’re building more than a building. We’re crafting a living, breathing space where curiosity leads, imagination thrives, and every child feels seen, challenged, and inspired. That’s why, even before we break ground, we’re thinking ahead. Children’s museums aren’t static. They are dynamic ecosystems that must evolve with the children they serve.

Children grow. Technology leaps. Cultural trends shift. And what captivated a five-year-old in 2020 might feel outdated by 2025. That’s why leading children’s museums across the country embrace a five-year refresh cycle…re-imagining exhibits, updating technology, and aligning with new research on how kids learn and play.

One of our board members recently visited the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida, and was impressed by the museum’s commitment to renewal. Exhibits have been updated, interactive elements enhanced, and new themes introduced to reflect emerging interests, from sustainability to STEAM to inclusive storytelling. This wasn’t just a facelift, it was a reinvestment in relevance.  

As we plan the Grand Forks Children’s Museum, we’re embedding flexibility into our design and planning for growth from ‘day one.’ Modular exhibit spaces. Rotating installations. Partnerships that bring fresh perspectives. We want our museum to grow with our community, not just in size, but in spirit.

We are also listening. To educators. To parents. To kids themselves. What sparks their joy? What challenges their thinking? What helps them feel empowered? These insights will shape not only our opening exhibits—but our long-term strategy for renewal.

Refreshing exhibits isn’t just about staying trendy. It’s about honoring childhood as a constantly evolving journey. It’s about tuning into children’s interests and abilities, then guiding them toward new discoveries and deeper confidence. Museums need to be planned and built to move with the times.

So yes, at the Grand Forks Children’s Museum, we’re dreaming big, and we are also planning smart. The best children’s museums aren’t just built once…they are built again and again. Through every update, every new idea, every new exhibit, our goal is that for every child who walks through the door and sees something that makes them say, “WOW” on each and every visit.

Katie Mayer, Executive Director, Grand Forks Children's Museum