On November 1, Great River Children’s Museum celebrated a milestone moment at our 2nd Annual Game Night Gala: We Passed G.O. — our Grand Opening.
Together with donors, sponsors, and friends of the museum, we looked back on an incredible first four months since opening our doors and looked forward to where play will take us next.
Since opening in June, more than 40,000 guests from 373 Minnesota zip codes and over 40 states have danced, climbed, tinkered, painted, and played their way through our museum.
By the Numbers
In just four months, we have:
- Welcomed 40,000 guests from 373 Minnesota zip codes and 40 states
- Surpassed our goal of 600 memberships, reaching nearly 800 individual memberships
- Provided 10,000 reduced or free visits through Path to Play programs
- Hosted over 6,000 guests from EBT-eligible households through Museums for All
- Booked 32 schools from 8 counties for upcoming field trips—over 3,000 students
Stories That Inspire
CEO Cassie Miles shared touching moments from the museum’s first months — from a grandmother’s joyful visit with her granddaughter to a child on the autism spectrum conquering the Climber to the Clouds with encouragement from new friends. “These stories,” she said, “show how the power of play connects generations and brings joy even in difficult times.”
The Path Ahead
Funds raised during Game Night Gala will support programs that make play accessible for all, including upcoming Storytime programming, MLK Family Day, and sensory play initiatives launching in early 2026.
“We’ve built the space, we’ve passed G.O (Grand Opening)., and now we work to ensure access and enrichment—because a generation from now, the children who first learned to play here will be building communities of their own.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, and supported the gala. Together, we’re ensuring that play—and the connections it builds—are for everyone.
Help Us Keep Play Accessible
We’ve passed G.O.—now let’s keep the play going.
Your donation to our Path to Play Fund ensures that every child, regardless of income or background, can experience the joy of hands-on learning at Great River Children’s Museum.
Donate today and help build a future of playful possibilities.
