What KID Museum does

KID Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational makerspace headquartered at 3 Bethesda Metro Center in Bethesda, Maryland, operating a 28,000 sq foot flagship maker learning facility alongside a secondary location at Davis Library. Founded in 2012 and opened to the public in 2014, the organization delivers hands-on STEM and invention education to children in grades Pre-K through high school, their families, and K-12 educators in the DC Metro region. Since opening, KID Museum has served more than 435,000 people through a portfolio that includes Sunday Open Explore admission, school field trips, multi-week after-school and summer camp programs, the Invent the Future Challenge for middle schoolers, the Teach for the Future educator fellowship (reaching 12,560 students in the past year), and corporate team-building and event rentals.

The core product is an experiential maker-learning curriculum built around the proprietary "Mind of a Maker" framework, which combines technical STEM skills (coding, robotics, electronics, woodworking, textiles, digital fabrication) with social-emotional capabilities (creativity, collaboration, empathy, agency). The facility includes dedicated Maker Studios (Electronics, Woodshop, Textiles, Cardboard, Tech Arena with 3D printing and laser cutting, Materials Bar, Mini Makers), supporting K-12 standards-aligned programs such as KID Inventors (grades 2-5) and the team-based Invent the Future Challenge. A digital Maker Playground archive extends reach beyond the physical site with free rotating DIY activities. Notable technology assets are primarily physical fabrication tools (laser cutters, 3D printers, micro:bit, Makey Makey, Cricut) rather than software platforms.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of earned and contributed income: pay-as-you-go admission ($15/person) and workshops ($25), unit-priced camps and after-school programs ($120-$345), transaction-priced school field trips ($16-$30/student with Title I discounts), tiered annual family memberships ($200-$500), professional services for corporate team building and event rentals, and institutional grants and corporate sponsorships (Boeing, Xometry Foundation at $1M/year, Pepco, United Therapeutics, Verizon, Montgomery County). The competitively-bid MCPS district contract, secured in 2017 and renewed in 2023, is the flagship institutional relationship. Marketing and distribution are community-led and event-driven, anchored by the annual 4,000+-attendee Invent the Future Expo, school partnership channels, and word-of-mouth in the DC Metro region.

Name

KID Museum

Legal name

KID Museum

Website

https://kid-museum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KID Museum is a Bethesda, MD-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 28,000 sq ft maker learning facility that delivers hands-on STEM, invention, and educator training programs to K-12 students, families, schools, and corporate partners across the DC Metro region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Maker Education and Museum Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC), STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps (EDAMALAE), 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)

Keywords

• Hands-on STEM education
• Maker learning programs
• Children's museum experiences
• School field trip services
• Educator professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Sunday Open Explore general admission tickets at $15 per person (ages 3+). Timed entry two-hour tickets with limited drop-in availability.
2. Workshops and Skills Programs: Sunday Workshops at $25 per registrant including full museum access. Birthday parties at $475-$525 for members/non-members. Day camps at $120-$130 for members/non-members.
3. After-School and Summer Programs: Six-week after-school sessions priced at $315 for members and $345 for non-members. Week-long summer camps running Monday-Friday June-August with pricing varying by camp and member status.
4. School Field Trips: Field trips for school groups priced at $20 per student ($16 for Title I schools) with $500 minimum ($400 for Title I). Skill-focused field trips at Davis Library at $30 per student ($27 for Title I schools).
5. Family Memberships: Annual family memberships at three tiers: Makers ($200/$180), Innovators ($250/$230), and Supporters ($500/$480). Includes unlimited general admission, discounts on programs, early registration, and guest passes.
6. Event Rentals and Corporate Team Building: Venue rentals for events, meetings, and corporate team building. Museum Hall accommodates up to 300 standing reception; Maker Lounge up to 75; Tech Lab for 15-20; Innovation Hub for 10. Team building programs include Chain Reaction, Creativity Challenge, and Studio Deep Dive.
7. Institutional Grants and Corporate Sponsorships: Funding from foundations and corporations including Xometry Foundation, Boeing, Pepco, United Therapeutics, Montgomery County, and others for program delivery, scholarships, and capital support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KID Museum operates a 28,000 sq ft nonprofit maker space in Bethesda, MD, delivering hands-on STEM and maker learning experiences to kids, families, educators, and schools. Core offerings include the weekend Open Explore drop-in sessions, school Field Trips, Sunday Workshops, After-School and Summer/Day Camps, the Invent the Future Challenge for middle schoolers, KID Inventors for grades 2-5, the Teach for the Future educator fellowship, Maker Girls, Teen Programs, Birthday Parties, Corporate Team Building, and event Space Rentals. The organization is grounded in its proprietary 'Mind of a Maker' framework that integrates technical STEM skills with social-emotional capabilities (creativity, collaboration, empathy, agency) through state-of-the-art maker studios equipped with laser cutters, 3D printers, micro:bit, electronics, woodworking, and textile tools.

Product overview

KID Museum is a nonprofit experiential museum and educational maker space offering a comprehensive portfolio of hands-on STEM and maker learning programs. The museum operates primarily as a physical maker space with signature programs including Open Explore Sundays (general admission), Field Trips (on-site school programs), and the Invent the Future Challenge (competitive maker program). Supporting programs span Family Programs (Sunday Workshops, After-School, Summer Camps, Day Camps, Birthday Parties, Teen Programs), Educator Programs (professional development, invention curriculum, Teach for the Future Fellowship, Maker Girls), Signature Events (Invent the Future Expo, Makers' Ball), Team Building corporate programs, Space Rentals, and Family Memberships. The museum also maintains a digital Maker Playground archive of free at-home activities. Programs emphasize experiential learning, the Engineering Design Process, and developing the 'Mind of a Maker' mindset in children and youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Teen Innovators: A program for high school students to explore maker areas through hands-on, STEAM-based projects with peer mentoring and leadership skill development.
• Invent the Future Challenge
• Maker Girls
• Teach for the Future
• KID Inventors

Products and services

• Field Trips Immersive, hands-on learning experiences for school groups that blend creative problem-solving, STEM, and real-world application. Includes Exploratory Field Trips, Skill-Focused Field Trips, Open Build sessions, and multi-visit Field Trip Series. Capacity up to 150 students for Exploratory trips and 75 for Skill-Focused at Davis Library.
• Open Explore (Sunday Admission) Weekend open-hours where visitors explore interactive exhibits and maker studios including Maker Playground, Big Build, Electronics Studio, Woodshop, Cardboard Studio, Textiles Studio, Tech Arena, Materials Bar, Mini Makers, and Maker Lounge.
• Sunday Workshops 90-minute skill-building sessions led by expert Maker Educators with capacity of 15 students per class at $25 per registrant. Topics include Laser Cut Wind Chime, Fab Lab Open Studio, Wooden Board Game, Vinyl Stickers, Light-Up Puppets, OctoStudio Movie Making, and Tool Highlight: Vacuformer.
• After-School Programs Six-week skill-building sessions for Pre-K through 12th grade led by Maker Educators combining creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Classes include Mini Makers (ages 4-5), Code & Create (K-1st), Toymakers Workshop (2nd-4th), and Invent The Future Club (5th-8th).
• Summer Camp Week-long camps running Monday-Friday June through August at Bethesda Metro Center and Davis Library locations. Programs span grades 2nd-9th with themes including Time Travelers, KID Arcade, Wizard KIDs, Super KIDs, Light Lab, Movie Makers, BioTinkering, and Innovation Foundations.
• Day Camps (School Days Out) Full-day programs for K-5th grade during school breaks, 9 AM-4 PM at 3 Bethesda Metro Center. Mix of structured skill-building and exploratory activities including Sewing/Textiles, Woodworking, Electronics, Digital Fabrication, Coding, and Cardboard Construction.
• Invent the Future Challenge Annual maker challenge where middle school teams (3-6 students with adult coordinator) identify real-world problems and create prototype solutions. Features $30 team registration, exclusive ITF resources, and culminates in the Invent the Future Expo where teams present to industry professionals.
• Invent the Future Expo Annual showcase event where middle schoolers present their Invent the Future Challenge prototypes to more than 4,000 visitors including industry titans, tech professionals, and elected officials. Features corporate sponsors and exhibitors from companies like Boston Dynamics, Boeing, and Verizon.
• Makers' Ball Annual adult fundraising event featuring hands-on maker challenges, creative cocktails, and tool demonstrations. Proceeds support scholarships, field trip transportation, and program expansion for underserved students.
• Team Building Programs Professional team building sessions in the 30,000 square foot space for groups of 5-150. Programs include Chain Reaction (domino-effect installation), Creativity Challenge, and Studio Deep Dives in Woodshop, Textile, Tech Lab, or Electronics.
• Birthday Parties Private hands-on workshop celebrations with professional maker educator. Workshop options include Robot Racers (ages 5-7), Making Magic (ages 6-10), Mini-KID Arcade (ages 9+), and Deep Dive themes including Woodblock Characters, 3D Printing, and Custom Wooden Marble Maze.
• Space Rentals Event venue rental at Bethesda location with four flexible spaces: Museum Hall (up to 300 standing), Maker Lounge (up to 75 standing), Tech Lab, and Innovation Hub. Includes AV systems, LED lighting, and optional hands-on maker activities.
• Teen Programs Programs for students ages 14+ including Teen Volunteers (supporting Sunday programs and camps) and Teen Innovators (weekly hands-on STEAM projects with peer mentoring and leadership development).
• Educator Programs Professional development and support for educators including Homeschool Resources, Field Trips, Invention Programs (KID Inventors and Invent the Future for schools), Professional Development workshops, Consulting, and Standards-aligned Curriculum.
• Invention Programs STEM-infused curriculum packages for schools with lesson plans, slide decks, professional development workshops, and optional field trips. Programs include KID Inventors (grades 2-5) covering Engineering Design, Electric Inventions, Micro:bit Coding, and Prototyping; and Invent the Future (middle school) as 13-week or semester-long courses.
• Teach for the Future Fellowship Transformative teacher fellowship program building educator capacity to deliver maker learning in classrooms. Includes immersive professional development workshops, individualized coaching, peer learning communities, and classroom-ready resources. Reached 12,560 students in the past year.
• Maker Girls Program exposing girls and young women to hands-on, invention-based learning to increase interest and confidence in STEM. Multi-week sessions build competence through solution-based efforts. Includes introduction to artificial intelligence funded by Infosys Foundation USA. Features IF/THEN Ambassadors partnership with AAAS.
• Family Memberships Annual memberships at three levels: Makers ($200/$180 renew) for unlimited admission and 10% discounts; Innovators ($250/$230 renew) adds 4 guest passes and 15% discounts; Supporters ($500/$480 renew) adds 6 guest passes, 20% discounts, VIP event access, and ACM/ASTC reciprocal network benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of elementary students felt joy in learning STEM concepts
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Xometry FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Xometry Foundation committed $1 million annually to support STEM education, scholarships, grants, and hands-on engineering programs. KID Museum serves as a national partnership to deliver student travel grants and community STEM resources as part of this initiative.
• ASME FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026ASME Foundation partners with Xometry Foundation to support STEM education initiatives including student travel grants, undergraduate scholarships, and hands-on engineering programs delivered through KID Museum.
• SAE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026SAE Foundation partners with Xometry Foundation to provide scholarships, travel grants, and hands-on engineering experiences for students through KID Museum programming.
• U.S. Space & Rocket CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026U.S. Space & Rocket Center partners with Xometry Foundation to deliver student travel grants and space-related STEM experiences through KID Museum.
• Montgomery County Public SchoolsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2017, KID Museum has operated under a competitively-bid contract with MCPS to expand STEM learning opportunities, with focus on engaging youth from high-poverty schools. MCPS reissued the contract in 2023 under competitive bidding and KID Museum secured another contract. KID Museum has served thousands of MCPS students with measurable results.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing's multi-year investment enabled KID Museum to develop curriculum for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders—critical years for foundational STEM skills. Investment extends KID's K-12 continuum and brings high-impact programming to elementary students in under-resourced schools in DC/MD/VA area.
• Hispanic Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKID Museum partnered with Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Infosys Foundation USA to create the Latinx Educator Maker Lab, designing a replicable model to address inequities in STEM and computer science education for Latinx students and educators.
• IdentityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between KID Museum and Identity focused on STEM equity through community-based maker learning, documented in a case study released May 2026.
• Pepco (Exelon Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPepco sponsored the 'Powered by Pepco: Sustainable Solutions & Environmental Innovation' award category at Invent the Future Expo 2026. Provided VR tour of local power plant for Expo visitors. Major corporate supporter of KID Museum programs.
• United TherapeuticscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Therapeutics sponsored the 'United Therapeutics: Health, Wellness & Biotech' award category at Invent the Future Expo 2026.
• IF/THEN Ambassadors (AAAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKID Museum partners with American Association for the Advancement of Science and IF/THEN Ambassadors Program to connect middle school girls with female STEM role models including Afua Bruce, Dr. Cori Lathan, Debbie Sterling, and others through the Maker Girls program.
• SMYALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKID Museum collaborated with SMYAL for Pride Month 2026 celebration, featuring special programming including drapery textile design and PrideCon block printing activities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Children's Museum: A Washington, DC children's museum focused on STEM/STEAM and hands-on exhibits for kids and families, directly comparable in mission, audience, and geography to KID Museum.
• Port Discovery Children's Museum: Baltimore-based children's museum offering interactive, hands-on learning experiences for kids and families in the same Mid-Atlantic region as KID Museum.
• The Tech Interactive: A science and technology museum with maker/design-challenge programming and school field trips, closely aligned with KID Museum's maker-learning and STEM education model.
• New York Hall of Science: Science museum with a strong maker space (Maker Space/Design Lab) and hands-on STEM programming for kids and educators, mirroring KID Museum's approach.
• Chicago Children's Museum: Children's museum emphasizing hands-on tinkering and creative play for kids and families, a direct analog to KID Museum's core visitor experience.

Regional players

• Maryland Science Center: Baltimore science center offering exhibits, camps, and school programs; comparable offering and audience but serving a different part of KID's Maryland region.

Broad incumbents

• Exploratorium: Large, influential science museum pioneering hands-on tinkering/maker education and educator training, overlapping with KID's maker methodology at greater scale.
• Museum of Science, Boston: Large science museum with maker/engineering education programs and curriculum (Engineering is Elementary); broad incumbent overlapping KID's STEM education and curriculum work.

Emerging players

• iD Tech: For-profit provider of STEM/coding/robotics camps for youth; overlaps with KID Museum's summer camp and skills-program offering though via a different, national model.
• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Nonprofit running robotics and invention challenges for students; comparable to KID's Invent the Future Challenge in mission of building STEM skills through hands-on competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KIDMuseumMD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KIDMuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/KIDMuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidmuseum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about KID Museum