CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF CENTRAL MAINE

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF CENTRAL MAINE AT A GLANCE

For nearly 30 years, the Children’s Discovery Museum has invited children and families to play, learn, and grow in Augusta, Maine. Our museum has encouraged tens of thousands of children to explore their world, make friends, gain confidence, and problem solve. We are proud of our long-standing role as Central Maine’s children’s museum where children learn through hands-on play. Over this tenure, we have learned too. With these lessons in hand, we are growing this small but mighty organization into a bigger, bolder museum that better serves more of central Maine’s children ages birth through 12. The new museum redesigned with brand new exhibits and relocated to Waterville creates an immersive experience that ignites curiosity and celebrates learning through play.

BEAUTIFUL BUILDING

The new building has an approximately 3,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, an additional approximately 3,000 square foot gathering hall, separate birthday party rooms, classroom spaces, bathrooms, office space, and room for outdoor exhibits and playscapes. There is also a substantial kitchen, perfect for catering events or running children's cooking programs.

IDEAL LOCATION

Located just 2 minutes from I-95, our new location is less than 2 miles from other family-friendly organizations like the AYC, Educare, Colby Art Museum, Common Street Arts, Railroad Square Cinema, the Waterville Public Library, Quarry Road Trails and the Waterville Opera House. We are also close to the Waterville downtown, Elm Plaza, and Waterville Commons.

THE POWER OF PLAY

The American Acadamy of Pediatrics recently released new guidelines encouraging pediatricians to write “prescriptions for play” based on research about how critical play is for the healthy development of children. In alignment with this growing need, the new exhibits are thoughtfully designed to encourage children and families to learn through play.

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

Mr. Fred Rogers

2021 RECAP

Despite the challenges of 2021, the museum is proud to have presented a number of programs to the community and to have made so much progress on our new space. Take a look at our 2021 Recap to see what we've been up to!