Kids Discovery Museum Celebrates a Decade of Empowering Children Through Play!

Families are Invited for a Day of Free Fun to KiDiMu's Big Birthday on June 6

​Kids Discovery Museum or KiDiMu, as its pint-sized visitors prefer to call it, is turning 10 this year. A bigger than ever Birthday Bash is planned for Saturday, June 6 - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. All are welcome to join the festivities and enjoy a free-admission day at the nonprofit children’s museum. The celebration will feature complimentary family attractions, demonstrations and entertainment on the Island Gateway plaza, in front of KiDiMu. And yes… there will be cake!

​KiDiMu was founded by dedicated volunteers who recognized the area’s critical need for a resource that would help promote school readiness. They created an awareness of the region’s gap in early learning and brought the supporters together to address these needs. With approximately 300,000 visitors a decade later, KiDiMu remains the only children’s museum on the Kitsap Peninsula. 

"We are excited to invite the community to celebrate with us and recognize a momentous occasion when we all came together to create a home for early learning on Bainbridge Island."

Susie Burdick, Executive Director

“As the museum continues to evolve to match visitors’ expectations by offering a variety of exhibits and programs, one thing is a constant - KiDiMu kids are in charge. They inspire staff, volunteers and parents to engage with them. Through this process, children acquire skills that will help them succeed academically and grow up to be responsible members and leaders of their communities,”  said the museum’s executive director Susie Burdick..

A Day of Celebration and Playful Learning

True to its mission, KiDiMu has invited local performers from Kitsap and King county, as well as community partners and volunteers, who will not only help make Birthday Bash fun for visiting families but also engage them in meaningful interactive experiences.

Party guests will get to dance and sing along with an acclaimed kindie band Recess Monkey at noon, and join The Reptile Man and his animal crew for a special presentation at 1 p.m. with a reptile petting zoo experience for daring young explorers for the grand finale (2 - 3 p.m.).

​ATLaS, Bainbridge High School Spartronics’ robot, will kick off the day’s festivities on the plaza at 10 a.m. Roberto the Magnificent will entertain with his hilarious, high-energy magic tricks at 11 a.m. and lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” for KiDiMu to be followed by a cake cutting ceremony and announcement about a new exhibit coming soon to the Museum (around 11:45 a.m.). 

In addition to scheduled performances, families will also enjoy many other attractions throughout the day. Catie’s Photography will capture party smiles, 10 a.m. – noon. Starting at 10 a.m. (while supplies last), visitors will be able to have fun with a birthday candle craft and sign up for a special free cupcake costume workshop to join KiDiMu in the July 4 Parade. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the guests will: try science experiments with a multiple Emmy Award-winning writer, educator and geek mama Lynn Brunelle; get their faces painted and enjoy free milk courtesy of Smith Brothers Farms.

Thanks to KiDiMu’s community partners, kids will also get to climb aboard a fire truck or a police car (present on site unless the BIFD and BIFD crews are called to action) and have hands-on fun with Bainbridge Public Library. That’s a Some Pizza and Smoth●e will help “power up” visitors by offering refreshments for sale.

​KiDiMu will offer complimentary tattoos, balloons and party hats to help visitors get in the party mood and inspire them to share their museum memories from the last decade. All the KiDiMu fans will also have a chance to show their support by acquiring a special KiDiMu number and commemorative button (with a $10 donation) as part of the anniversary “What’s Your Number?” campaign.

The event would not be possible without KiDiMu’s longtime community partner who believes in its mission. KeyBank is a returning sponsor of the Birthday Bash for the fifth year in a row, supporting the museum’s efforts to prepare young children for a lifelong journey of discovery.

In addition, KeyBank’s volunteers have also shared their time and talents with KiDiMu over the years. From painting walls to serving on the Board of Directors, they have helped provide visitors with quality experience and a welcoming space.  

Stay up to Date  

For detailed schedule and latest information on the museum’s Birthday Bash, summer camps and other programs, please visit the museum's website and sign up for the weekly newsletter, follow KiDiMu via social media or call 206-855-4650.