Kidsquest Childrens Museum

What Kidsquest Childrens Museum does

KidsQuest Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on children's museum located in downtown Bellevue, Washington, founded in 2005 (concept initiated in 1997). It operates a single physical facility at 1116 108th Ave NE, featuring 25+ interactive exhibits focused on play-based STEAM learning for children ages 0–10, organized into themed galleries including the Art Studio, Atrium Climber, Bellevue Mercantile, Water Gallery, Sticks + Stones, Tot Orchard, Recycle Rebuild Makers Gallery, Story Tree, Learning Lab, On the Go, and Connections Gallery. The museum serves approximately 170,000–200,000 visitors annually and has welcomed over 3 million cumulative visitors since opening.

The business model blends earned revenue, contributed revenue, and programmatic fees. Earned revenue is generated through general admission (~$16.75 per person, dynamic pricing on peak days), annual memberships (individual and corporate tiers, with sliding-scale pricing for 501(c)(3) partners and a 70% income-based discount via Play for Less), structured classes ($122–$132 per session), summer camps ($235–$525), field trips ($10/child independent or $235 guided STEAM for 20 students), birthday parties ($450–$695), and museum rentals ($1,500–$20,000). Contributed revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Amazon, Microsoft, Paccar, Expedia, Republic Services, Clark Nuber, Sterling Realty, and others), foundation grants (4Culture, Wissner-Slivka, Puget Sound Energy Foundation, Ginger & Barry Ackerley, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation), and two signature annual fundraisers (BizQuest with a 2026 goal of $75,000 and Imagination Celebration which raised $511,127 in 2025). An active multi-year $3.5M Above & Beyond Capital Campaign is in progress with Amazon as lead donor. The museum also operates an on-site and online Explore Store, gift cards, and digital membership cards via wallet/PassPlay apps.

The technology layer is intentionally lean and standard for the sector: Acme Ticketing for online reservations and dynamic pricing, Constant Contact for email, a CRM for donor and member management, and digital membership cards distributed through smartphone wallets. There is no proprietary AI/ML capability, no mobile app, no API surface, and no disclosed patents. Distribution is multi-channel: direct on-site visits (Tuesday–Sunday), online ticketing, school-based field trips and Field Trips to Go outreach, library partnership distribution via King County Library System (2 free passes per family per 90 days), and reciprocal admission through ASTC (300+ centers), ACM (200+ museums), and NWAYM networks. The organization employs 22+ staff across functions led by President & CEO Putter Bert, with directors for Development & Marketing, Finance, Education & Exhibits, and Operations & Visitor Services.

Name

Kidsquest Childrens Museum

Legal name

KidsQuest Children's Museum

Website

https://kidsquestmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KidsQuest Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in downtown Bellevue, WA operating 25+ hands-on STEAM exhibits for children ages 0–10, serving roughly 170,000–200,000 visitors annually through admissions, memberships, classes, camps, field trips, and fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum and Educational Experience Services

NAICS

Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM) (EDACAJAH), Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Children's museum
• Interactive exhibits
• STEAM education
• Early learning programs
• Family memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Visitors pay admission fees ranging from $16.75 for individuals to $5 for Play for Less program participants. Members receive free admission. Dynamic pricing applies during peak periods.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships providing free admission for 12 months, plus discounts on events, store purchases, and reciprocal benefits at other museums. Includes Flex Member option for $75.
3. Summer Camps: Multi-day camp programs for ages 4-10 with themes like Science Explorers, Art Explorers, Nature Explorers, Engineering Explorers. Explorer Camps (half-day) $235-$350; Adventure Camps (full-day) $525.
4. Classes and Workshops: Early learning and school age programs including Music Movement, Little Lab, Sensory Science, Little Picasso, Nature Lab. Priced at $122.26/member and $132.26/non-member per session.
5. Field Trips: School and group programs at museum ($10/child) or outreach to schools. Includes guided STEAM programs at $235 for 20 students, ScoutQuest workshops, and homeschool programs.
6. Birthday Parties and Rentals: Private event rentals including 90-minute Classic Parties ($500 general, $450 members), Arty Parties ($695), Full Museum Rentals starting at $1,500 for 2 hours up to $20,000 for full-day buyout.
7. Special Events: Seasonal events including Gingerbread Workshops ($20-$60 individuals, $450 VIP tables), Adult Events, Super Science Nights ($5), Mudfest/Waterfest/Bubblefest (included with admission).
8. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Major fundraising events include BizQuest (business fundraiser) and Imagination Celebration (raised $511,127 in 2025).
9. Museum Store: Explore Store selling toys, games, books, puzzles, art supplies, and local artwork. Members receive 10% discount.
10. Corporate Memberships: Sliding-scale corporate memberships for employee benefits, custom packages for 501c3 organizations supporting priority populations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KidsQuest Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on children's museum operating 25+ interactive STEAM-focused exhibits for children ages 0-10 and their families in downtown Bellevue, WA. The core offering is general admission and annual membership access to the exhibit galleries, supplemented by fee-based early learning classes, school-age workshops, summer camps, school field trips, outreach programs, birthday party rentals, seasonal special events, and an on-site museum store.

Product overview

KidsQuest Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on, interactive children's museum offering a unified portfolio of exhibits, programs, and services centered on play-based STEAM learning for children 0-10. The core experience comprises 25+ interactive exhibits (Art Studio, Atrium Climber, Bellevue Mercantile, Water Gallery, Story Tree, Learning Lab, Recycle Rebuild, Sticks + Stones, Tot Orchard, On the Go, and Connections Gallery) that visitors access through general admission or membership. Adjacent to the exhibit experience, KidsQuest offers structured Programs (Early Learning classes, School Age workshops, Summer Camps, Field Trips, and outreach programs), Special Events (Super Science Night, Mudfest, Waterfest, Bubblefest, Gingerbread Workshops), Birthday Parties & Museum Rentals, an Explore Store, and Gift Cards. Membership programs include Individual and Corporate tiers with reciprocal benefits through ACM, ASTC, and NWAYM. Accessibility programs include Play for Less income-based discounts, Low Sensory Afternoons, and Wheel the World certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum Admission General admission tickets to KidsQuest Children's Museum providing access to 25+ hands-on interactive exhibits for children ages 0-10 and their families. Standard rate $16.75 per person (age 1+); dynamic pricing applies during holidays and school breaks; free for children under 1 and members.
• Individual & Family Membership Annual memberships providing free museum admission for 12 months, discounts on events and store purchases, and reciprocal admission benefits at ASTC (300+ science centers), ACM (200+ children's museums), and NWAYM member museums. Includes optional Flex Member add-on for $75 and 70% income-based discount via the Play for Less program.
• Corporate Membership Sliding-scale corporate membership program providing employees and their families with free admission for 12 months. Pricing scales with number of employees; custom packages are available for 501(c)(3) organizations supporting priority populations.
• Classes & Workshops (Early Learning and School Age) Year-round educational programs including Early Learning classes (Music Movement and Me, Little Lab, Sensory Science, Little Picasso, First Experiences, Nature Lab for ages walking to 5) and School Age programs (Quest Club: Make and Quest Club: Create for ages 5-10). Priced at $122.26/member and $132.26/non-member per session with 6-week series available.
• Summer Camps Multi-day summer camp programs for ages 4-10 with themed curricula including Science Explorers, Art Explorers, Nature Explorers, Engineering Explorers, STEAM Explorers, and specialty camps (Photography, Animation, Mad Science). Explorer Camps (half-day, ages 4-6) priced $235 for 3-day or $350 for 5-day; Adventure Camps (full-day, ages 7-10) priced $525 for 5-day; scholarships available.
• Field Trips @ KidsQuest In-museum educational field trips including Independent Exploration ($10 per child, 2 hours, 1 free chaperone per 10 children) and Guided STEAM programs ($235 for up to 20 students with museum exploration and hands-on activity). Programs align with national and state curriculum standards and include ScoutQuest workshops.
• Field Trips to Go Outreach programs in which KidsQuest museum educators travel to schools, libraries, and community sites with hands-on STEAM workshops and fairs. Available for preschool through elementary, aftercare, and library programs.
• Special Events Seasonal special events for all ages including Super Science Nights (e.g., Science of Soccer), Mudfest, Waterfest, Bubblefest, Adult Events, and Gingerbread Workshops. Most events are included with admission or available at low ticket prices ($5 for Super Science Night; $20-$60 for Gingerbread Workshops).
• Birthday Parties & Museum Rentals Private event rentals including 90-minute Classic Party ($500 general / $450 members, up to 25 guests), Arty Party ($695 general / $625 members, up to 45 guests), 2-hour Full Museum Rental (starting at $1,500, up to 100 guests), 3-hour Full Museum Rental (starting at $2,400, up to 250 guests), and Full-day Museum Buyout (starting at $20,000, up to 1,150 guests, 6 weeks advance notice).
• Explore Store On-site and online retail store selling toys, games, books, puzzles, STEAM kits, art supplies, and local artwork. Members receive a 10% discount; proceeds support the museum's nonprofit mission.
• Gift Cards Physical and digital gift cards redeemable for KidsQuest memberships, museum admission, and museum store purchases.
• Teacher Training Workshops Professional development workshops for educators focused on incorporating hands-on science and STEAM learning into classroom curriculum in engaging ways.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 200,000 visitors annually
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• NWAYM (Northwest Association of Youth Museums)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Regional association of children's museums providing reciprocal admission network. KidsQuest members receive 25% off admission for up to 4 people at participating NWAYM museums across the Pacific Northwest.
• ACM (Association of Children's Museums)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Worldwide organization connecting children's museums. Members with $200+ memberships receive 50% off admission for up to 6 people at participating ACM museums across the country.
• ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International organization of science and technology centers. Members receive reciprocal admission benefits when traveling 90+ miles from home museum and 90+ miles from visited museum.
• King County Library SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free KidsQuest admission passes to library patrons. Two free passes per family, per 90 days, available through KCLS website and branches.
• MicrosoftkeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrosoft Prime employee cardholders receive discounted admission of $12.25 for two adults and employee dependents under age 18. Available at museum front desk.
• Bellevue School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain district partnership for field trips, school programs, and early learning initiatives. Includes Bellevue School District Early Learning division.
• Bellevue Boys & Girls ClubkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner bringing KidsQuest programming to youth served by the organization.
• Kindering CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerService partner supporting children with disabilities and developmental delays through community programming.
• Mary's PlacesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit serving homeless and refugee families; KidsQuest provides programming and access for families in need.
• Refugee Women's AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization serving refugee women and families; partnership provides educational programming access.
• King County Housing AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic housing authority partnership bringing KidsQuest experiences to housing communities.
• Hyatt Regency BellevuekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel venue partner for Gingerbread Workshops annual event (November 2026).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Children's Museum: Operates a hands-on children's museum in Seattle serving a similar 0–10 age band with comparable exhibit-based and membership revenue model. Closest direct competitor within the same metro region.
• Imagine Children's Museum: Children's museum in Everett, WA serving the same Pacific Northwest market with comparable exhibits, memberships, and field trip programs. Direct regional peer overlapping KidsQuest's catchment.
• Portland Children's Museum (Portland Children's Museum / Oppenheimer): Children's museum in Portland offering hands-on exhibits, memberships, and educational programs for similar age cohorts. Comparable operating model and ACM/ASTC reciprocal membership participation.
• Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: Mid-sized children's museum with comparable hands-on exhibits, memberships, field trip programs, and ACM reciprocal participation—a relevant operating benchmark for KidsQuest.
• Please Touch Museum: Established children's museum in Philadelphia operating 25+ interactive exhibits, memberships, and school programs—a useful size and operating-model comparable.
• Children's Museum of Tacoma: Tacoma-based children's museum with pay-as-you-wish admission model, comparable age-band focus, and Pacific Northwest market overlap. Direct regional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Pacific Science Center: Larger science-focused institution in Seattle with broader age appeal, reciprocal ASTC membership network, and STEAM programming that overlaps KidsQuest's educational offerings.
• MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry): Seattle-based museum participating in reciprocal admission networks. While broader in subject matter, it competes for Seattle-area family visit occasions and tourism traffic.
• The Strong National Museum of Play: National museum focused on play and learning, with extensive exhibits and educational programming relevant to the children's museum category. ACM reciprocal partner.

Others

• ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers): Industry association providing reciprocal membership network referenced by KidsQuest. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem enabler for member acquisition/retention value.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KidsQuestChildrensMuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidsquestmuseum

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kidsquest Childrens Museum