Building for Kids Children

What Building for Kids Children does

Building for Kids Children's Museum is a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded November 2, 1992 (originally as the Fox Cities Children's Museum) in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. It operates a two-floor, 30,000+ square-foot physical museum delivering hands-on, play-based learning experiences across STEM, arts, humanities, and early-childhood development to children primarily ages 0-10 and their families, with a reported 120,000 annual visitors. The museum is governed by a Board of Directors and led by President & CEO Oliver Zornow, with a staff of approximately 17 people organized under VPs of Design & Communications, Finance & Administration, and Learning & Engagement.

Core products are the museum itself and a diversified programmatic portfolio: over 30 interactive exhibits sponsored by named corporate partners (Power Up, The Lab, The Studio, Discovery Tree, Amazing Heart Slide, BFK Jet, Big Rig Depot, Food to Grow, Construction Junction, Doll Hospital, Move It, Station 99, The Littlest Branch, Water Gallery, Curiosity Corner, and Babies & Toddlers Around the World), recurring educational programs (Welcome Baby Community, Early Explorers, Jr. Explorers, Sensory Superstars, BFK Artist in Residence), seasonal programs (Summer Explorer Camps, 8-week themed series), and a new monthly-tuition preschool (Launchpad Playful Preschool, opening fall 2026). The underlying "platform" is a curated physical experience with educational standards alignment (Wisconsin DPI) and reciprocal network integration (ASTC/ACM covering 300+ museums).

The business model is a hybrid of earned and contributed revenue. Earned streams include one-time general admission ($11/person), annual and monthly memberships (full-price and sliding-scale Family Access memberships at $20-$165), Birthday Party Packages ($175-$725), Field Trip Programs ($5-$8/student), Launchpad Preschool tuition ($240-$600/month), Summer Explorer Camps ($125-$250/week), gift shop retail, and gift cards. Contributed revenue includes individual donations, planned giving via the Bold Hearts Legacy Circle, foundation grants (Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Wisconsin Arts Board, NEA), and over 30 corporate sponsorships (U.S. Venture, ThedaCare, Children's Wisconsin, Schneider, Pierce Manufacturing, Amcor, Boldt, Fox Communities Credit Union, AZCO, Huggies & Pull-Ups, School Specialty, J.J. Keller, Thrivent, and others). The go-to-market motion is community-led: grassroots events, seasonal programming, school partnerships, and a free/discounted Access for All Initiative targeting underserved families with WIC, Foodshare, BadgerCare Plus, and similar documentation.

Name

Building for Kids Children

Legal name

The Building for Kids, Inc.

Website

https://buildingforkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Building for Kids Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit children's museum in Appleton, Wisconsin, operating 30,000+ sq ft of hands-on exhibits and educational programs serving roughly 120,000 families, schools, and community visitors annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum & Educational Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

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 services
• Interactive educational exhibits
• Early childhood programs
• Play-based learning
• Hands-on museum experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Daily admission fees charged per visitor; $11 per person with $1 discount for online advance purchase; infants under 1 are free
2. Annual Memberships: Recurring annual memberships providing unlimited free admission, member-only hours, discounts on events and birthday parties, and reciprocal benefits through ASTC/ACM networks
3. Family Access Memberships: Sliding scale memberships ($20-$165) for families demonstrating financial need, providing unlimited admission for two adults and all children under 18 in household
4. Birthday Party Packages: Three tiers: BFK Party ($175 members/$225 non-members), BFK Party Plus ($300/$350), and Private After-Hours Party ($650/$725). Additional revenue from food and cake included in Plus tier
5. Field Trip Programs: Museum Learners at $5 per student and Museum Learners+ at $8 per student with educator-led activities and topics aligned to Wisconsin state standards
6. Launchpad Playful Preschool: Monthly tuition-based preschool program: $600/month for 5 days/week, $360/month for 3 days/week, $240/month for 2 days/week. Includes BFK membership
7. Summer Explorer Camps: 8-week themed drop-off camps: $250/week full day, $125/week half day, with 10% discount for all 8 weeks ($1800/$900)
8. Gift Shop: Retail sales of educational toys, BFK merchandise, plushies, books, and sensory items
9. Donations and Grants: Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by annual appeals, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, and individual donations
10. Gift Cards: Prepaid cards for museum admission and memberships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Building for Kids Children's Museum operates a physical two-floor, 30,000+ square foot interactive children's museum in Appleton, Wisconsin, featuring hands-on exhibits across STEM, arts, humanities, and early childhood development. The museum delivers play-based learning experiences through general admission, annual memberships, birthday party packages, school field trips, summer camps, a preschool program, and community programs including Welcome Baby Community and Sensory Superstars. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, it also serves as a community gathering space supported by donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Building for Kids Children's Museum is a physical children's museum in Appleton, Wisconsin offering a diverse portfolio of interactive exhibits and educational programs. The museum spans two floors with over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring hands-on exhibits including BFK Jet (aviation), Big Rig Depot (trucking), Doll Hospital (medical), Food to Grow (food systems), The Lab (STEM/science), The Studio (art), Water Gallery (water play), and others. The museum operates on a service-based model offering general admission tickets ($11/person), family memberships, birthday party packages, field trips, and summer camps. Educational programs include Welcome Baby Community (for first-time parents), Early Explorers (18-36 months), Jr. Explorers (ages 3-4), Summer Explorer Camps (ages 4K-4th grade), and Launchpad Playful Preschool (ages 3-5). Special programming includes Sensory Superstars (autism-friendly hours) and the BFK Artist in Residence program. The museum generates revenue through admission, memberships, birthday parties, field trips, and camp fees, supplemented by sponsorships from local businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Launchpad Playful Preschool: A new preschool experience for children ages 3-5 opening fall 2026, focused on open-ended, child-directed play.
• Summer Explorer Camps
• Early Explorers
• Jr. Explorers
• Welcome Baby Community
• Sensory Superstars
• BFK Artist in Residence
• BFK Children's Parade

Products and services

• General Admission Daytime admission to all museum exhibits, The Studio, and The Lab across two floors and over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space; $11 per person with $1 discount for online advance purchase; infants under 1 free.
• BFK Family Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000 annual visitors representing families from across the world
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• U.S. VentureflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Title sponsor of Power Up exhibit bringing energy and sustainability concepts to life through collaboration, problem solving, and hands-on play. U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs also supports Welcome Baby Community initiative.
• ThedaCareflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of 17th Annual BFK Children's Parade; sponsor of Doll Hospital exhibit simulating pediatric medical environment. ThedaCare pediatricians also represented on Board of Directors.
• Children's WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor of Food to Grow exhibit exploring food systems, food choice, and nutrition from farm to table.
• AmcorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of The Lab - dynamic STEM space where curiosity leads through scientific method activities and daily experiments.
• Fox Communities Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of The Littlest Branch - child-sized bank exhibit teaching financial concepts through role-play with real pneumatic tube system.
• Boldt CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Construction Junction - hands-on construction learning environment with crane, conveyor belt, and engineering concepts.
• SchneidercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Big Rig Depot - hands-on transportation and logistics exhibit featuring full-size semi-truck cab and maintenance areas.
• Pierce ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal sponsor and ongoing supporter of Station 99 firefighting exhibit; provided fire truck since museum's founding in 1990s.
• School SpecialtycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of The Studio - open-ended art activity space with painting stations, pottery wheels, and creative supplies.
• AZCO InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Move It - physics-based exhibit introducing simple machines through ball tracks, air tubes, and Bernoulli blowers.
• Huggies & Pull-UpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors of Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit - global adventure space scaled for children ages 0-3.
• John J. & Ethel D. Keller FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Discovery Tree - two-story climbing structure designed by artist Bennett Abrams.
• Community Foundation for the Fox Valley RegionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministering Basic Needs Giving Partnership Fund supporting Welcome Baby Community; SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund supporting Space Station; hosts Bold Hearts Legacy Circle through relationship.
• First 5 Fox ValleyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Launchpad Playful Preschool at Family Resource Center across from museum; co-sponsors Welcome Baby Community with BFK.
• Appleton Rotary FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelen Thom Roemer Fund supports Sensory Superstars program and Space Station quiet room for autism community.
• Autism Society of the Fox ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Sensory Superstars program for families with children on autism spectrum.
• Lawrence UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner funding Space Station quiet room renovation supporting autism and sensory needs community.
• ThriventflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on History of Helpers interactive mural; matching donations through Generosity Journey; supports Access for All Initiative.
• Wisconsin Arts BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funder for BFK Artist in Residence Program with funds from State of Wisconsin and National Endowment for the Arts.
• This is Improv (Zadak Sisters)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitators of Improv Adventures Camp during Summer Explorer Camps 8-week series.
• Sustainable KitchensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Johnson leads Culinary Creations and Jr. Chefs camps; also partners on Family Meal Workshops with Food to Grow exhibit.
• Photo OppminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitators of Focus on Photography Camp teaching photography skills to Summer Explorer Camp participants.
• SCA Barony of WindhavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Renaissance Faire Day during Winter Break, providing immersive medieval activities.
• Stone ArchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage provider for adult-only Building for Grown-ups events including Roaring 20s themed night.
• Northland Electrical ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Building for Grown-ups: Roaring 20s adult-only event.
• Schreiber FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional supporter of Food to Grow exhibit exploring food systems and healthy eating.
• Fox Cities Convention & Visitors BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Food to Grow exhibit and museum's tourism impact.
• J. J. Keller FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporter of Welcome Baby Community through U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs initiative.
• Fox Valley Family FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension of Welcome Baby Community connecting families whose babies share the same birth month; hosted at Building for Kids.
• VPI Early InterventionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter at Welcome Baby Community Connecting Events on early learning and development topics.
• Family Services - Parent ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter at Welcome Baby Community Connecting Events on early literacy and child development.
• Appleton Health DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter at Welcome Baby Community Connecting Events on safe sleep practices.
• Be. A Center for Holistic Mental HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter at Welcome Baby Community Connecting Events on calming and connecting practices.
• Lawrence Community Music SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter at Welcome Baby Community Connecting Events on music and early development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cincinnati Museum Center: Multi-museum complex including children's museum programming in a broader cultural institution context. Comparable in educational mission and field trip programming but broader in scope than BFK's dedicated children's museum focus.
• Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The world's largest children's museum and a leading U.S. children's museum operator. While significantly larger and broader in scope, it sets the benchmark for the category in exhibit design, programming depth, and donor development that BFK operates within.

Direct peers

• Port Discovery Children's Museum: Mid-sized urban children's museum in Baltimore with comparable exhibit-driven, play-based learning model and nonprofit membership structure. Operates similar seasonal programs, field trips, and access initiatives.
• Children's Museum of Milwaukee: Milwaukee-based interactive children's museum with similar exhibit philosophy, memberships, school programs, and access-for-all initiatives. Direct regional competitor for Wisconsin family visits and field trip bookings.
• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum with hands-on exhibits and play-based learning for children 0-10. Operates a similar membership/field-trip/special-event revenue mix and ASTC/ACM reciprocal network participation.
• Children's Museum of La Crosse: A Wisconsin regional children's museum (formerly the Children's Museum of La Crosse) offering hands-on exhibits, memberships, and educational programming. Smaller in scale but operationally and structurally similar.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum: Children's museum focused on play-based learning and early childhood development in Sausalito, CA. Operates with a comparable mission, exhibit-driven model, and educational program portfolio aimed at young children and families.
• Betty Brinn Children's Museum: Another Wisconsin-based children's museum in Milwaukee with a similar hands-on, STEM-and-arts-focused exhibit model and comparable scale. Directly comparable in mission, audience (children 0-10), and regional nonprofit structure.
• Chicago Children's Museum: Major metropolitan children's museum at Navy Pier with hands-on exhibits, memberships, and reciprocal network participation. Operates a similar exhibit-refresh and donor-supported nonprofit model at larger scale.
• Madison Children's Museum: Wisconsin's other major children's museum, located in Madison. Operates with a similar interactive exhibit model, school field trip programming, and member-based admissions structure serving the same Wisconsin family demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGgMOyT30OAyKqBOSbOmRGA
• Facebookfacebook.com/buildingforkids
• Instagraminstagram.com/buildingforkids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-building-for-kids-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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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 Building for Kids Children