Museum for curious kids finds a summer home away from home in South Haven

If a restaurant can pop-up and a retailer can pop-up, what’s next? How about a museum?

The nonprofit Forever Curious Children’s Museum will open a limited-time “pop-up” location in South Haven to serve the shoreline community and its visitors this summer. The space in a large storefront location at 417 Phoenix Street will feature a variety of interactive, educational exhibits. 

There will be sand and water tables, a cardboard construction zone, giant blocks, a tinker table, and a STEAM exhibit. Activities will include family yoga, art workshops, music concerts, poetry readings, and family karaoke all offered from July 1 through Sept. 3.

The museum will provide a safe, entertaining space for families to gather during the summer months, says Wendi Onuki, Executive Director of Forever Curious Children’s Museum.

“Children can learn through play, honing their fine and gross motor skills, social skills, problem-solving skills and more while stimulating their curiosities and imaginations,” Onuki says. 

All exhibits will be approved by former educators to make sure they complement the current Core and STEAM school curriculums. This, in part, helps toddler- and preschool-aged children prepare for school.

The pop-up space will open on Sunday, July 1, with a kick-off party that day. It will remain open every day the first week of July from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A full day of special Independence Day-themed activities will take place on July 3 before the Light Up the Night Fireworks in South Haven.

After opening week, the museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person for all visitors age 1 and older. FCCM members will receive a $2 discount. The latest details and special events will be posted on Facebook. 

The Fennville-based Forever Curious Children’s Museum will continue to run its regular summer schedule, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in addition to four Monday summer day camps in July.

Forever Curious Children’s Museum served more than 2,238 single visitors in 2017 at its downtown Fennville location and has 100-plus family memberships. Visitors come from locations all over West Michigan and beyond, including Holland, Allegan, Pullman, South Haven and Chicago. 

The museum welcomes visitors of all ages in its mission to encourage hands-on learning via safe, fun, inviting exhibits and programs.

Source: West Michigan Tourist Association