GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Children’s Museum of Green Bay is back open for fun, a year after closing its doors.
Kids and parents alike returned to the children’s museum on Wednesday. It’s something Director of Events and Guest Experiences Heather Heil is excited to see.
“The sound of laughter is the sweetest things to our ears,” Heil told WTAQ News. “We are beyond thrilled that not only were we able to, as a not for profit, be able to weather this, but to be able to re-open and have the children be just as excited to play as we are.”
Heil says it took a community rallying around the museum to keep their hopes up – and to get the doors back open.
“Not only financially, but to make sure at the end of the day that our children are safe in the space. That is always at the core of every decision that we make, is that – is it safe play-based educational learning,” Heil said.
The museum is requiring everyone over the age of five to wear masks and to encourage social distancing, it will run at 85% capacity. Extra cleaning protocols are also in place.
“Some of the museum exhibits have been altered slightly. You probably won’t even notice the things that we did, such as we removing the fire helmet so they’re not touching their heads, just little things like that, as well is really upping our cleaning game,” Heil said. “We’ve always been a really clean space. We’ve had to be, we work with children. There’s just more sanitation stations, we have equipment that the Green Bay metro fire department uses to sanitize ambulances when they have COVID patients, we’re using all of the same materials.”
“Everything is neat, in order, very [clean]. We’re just very pleased and the kids are having a great time,” said parent, Jenna Pierce.
Kids were running around and exploring the museum Wednesday morning, but the smiles on their parents were just as big.
“Oh, they love it. They couldn’t wait this morning. It’s been a long time,” Anna said. “I am a stay at home mom, so they don’t get a whole lot of children interaction. This is a great way to get them out and get them socialized, and it’s great learning for the kids.”
“They are on top of the world excited and running around. It’s just so good for them to have a little outlet and somewhere to go,” Pierce told WTAQ News. “It’s so nice to have somewhere to be inside and still hands-on and learning, and still having a lot of fun…Just great for the kids. It’s important for the kids, to help their little minds grow and learn, and it’s important for them to have fun too. We’re just happy that it’s open again, happy to be back.”
The museum is also looking forward to its summer programming, which will take place in its outdoor discovery space.
And for those families who are not feeling comfortable visiting in-person yet, the museum will continue to offer virtual programming.
“Play is the right of every child. That is still at the core. We know that some of you are not ready, but if you are you are absolutely able to come in, the only difference with that for programs at the museum in-person, you will need to register ahead of time,” Heil said. “We are not taking reservations, but please feel free to go ahead and call us if you’re concerned about the number of people in here. If you’re just not ready to come out yet, we are still offering virtual programming on our Facebook page.”
The museum will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They will also be open on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
