The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City Grand Opening!

The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City announces the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at 433 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Mo.  The museum officially opens at 9:30 a.m. to the general public; guests must reserve admission tickets in advance at www.wonderscope.org. 

“The new Wonderscope is a regional destination and a model for new children’s museums of the future,” said Roxane Hill, Executive Director. “It combines learning and fun for all children, no matter their abilities, and celebrates what’s great about Kansas City in each exhibit from our heritage and culture, to our food and how it’s produced, our transportation byways, and more.” 

“Kansas Citians have waited a long time for this special place. We have envisioned a premier destination experience where families can celebrate play, and children can tinker and experiment at their own pace. And, that’s exactly what we have built,” said Bob Regnier, Steering Committee Chair and President of the Regnier Family Foundation.

Wonderscope will continue to focus on STEAM experiences for children up to age 10 – science, technology, engineering, art and math. Unique features of the new museum include 10 dynamic exhibits and a half-acre of outdoor activities open year-round.  

Children will be attracted to the Wonder Climber, a two-story aerobic odyssey through caves, up ramps, across a rope bridge and leading to a life-size school bus wedged partially outside the building. “You have to see it to believe it,” added Hill. 

Outdoor activities emphasize physical and gross motor skill development. Kansas City’s first Adaptive Treehouse, sponsored by Variety KC was built here. Sculpted life-size flowers that double as musical instruments and real trees surround the treehouse. An agricultural playscape with an interactive silo together with a fun climber are partially sponsored by US Toy.

A $15 million capital campaign launched in 2017 has funded the new building.  Major supporters are the museum’s namesake, The Regnier Family Foundation; Catherine Regnier Trust; The Sunderland Foundation; Cocherl Family Foundation; John W. & Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust; J. E. & L. E. Mabee Foundation; W.T. Kemper Foundation; and Victor E. & Caroline E. Schutte Foundation. The property itself has been donated by Lynne and Owen Buckley; Kelly and Brandon Buckley; and Megan and Weston Buckley.

Several Kansas City organizations provided support to enhance exhibits. Union Pacific Railroad and PortKC each sponsored the train and the steamship, respectively, which are part of the Crossroads of Past and Present exhibit. DS Bus Lines, a division of the Kincaid Group, donated the school bus, which is located in the Wonder Climber indoor/outdoor exhibit. 

The complete list of exhibits are: 

§  Crossroads of Past and Future

§  Design Lab

§  Creation Station

§  Kansas City Café barbecue restaurant

§  WonderMart grocery store

§  On the Move! 

§  Wonder Climber

§  Kid City and Tot Spot

§  WaterWorks

§  NatureScope (outdoor activities)

Party rooms designed for birthdays and other special occasions will be available as well classrooms for special programs. Information is available at www.wonderscope.org. 

Hours and Admission 

The new museum will be open Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.  To ensure COVID protocols are met, guests will be required to reserve tickets in advance and choose either a morning or afternoon session.  Admission and reservation information are available on the website at www.wonderscope.org.  

McCownGordon is the general contractor for the project. Haizlip Studio is the architect. Haizlip Studio, and MIG Portico, are the exhibit designers; and Dimensional Innovations is the exhibit fabricator. 

About Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City

Founded in 1989, Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City provides imaginative, experiential STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) exhibits and programs for ages 8 and younger, their parents, and educators from across the KC metro area. Its mission is to spark a lifelong love of learning through the power of play. To learn more, visit Wonderscope.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.