Des Moines Children's Museum
The Des Moines Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a single children's museum at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving families with children ages 0-10 through interactive playscapes, weekly educational programming, birthday parties, field trips, and community events, while raising capital to relocate to a larger facility by 2027.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWest Des Moines, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Des Moines Children's Museum does
The Des Moines Children's Museum is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a single-location children's museum at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, with seven employees. Founded in 2017 as a 'Museum Without Walls' community initiative, the organization currently delivers interactive playscapes and weekly programming (STEAM activities, Museum Babies, Little Learners, Messy Play, Crafty Labs) targeted at children ages 0-10 and their caregivers in the Des Moines metro. Supplementary programming includes monthly sensory-friendly playdates for children with sensory sensitivities, school and daycare field trips, birthday party packages, and annual signature events such as the Witches Ride, Touch a Truck, and the adult-only Giggle Gala fundraiser.
The museum generates revenue across seven streams: tiered daily admissions ($2-$6 with free infants and members), annual memberships ($125 family, $200 Membership Plus), birthday party packages ($175 during open hours, $350 private), field trips at $6 per child, prepaid punch cards, ticketed events, and donations/grants. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via walk-in admissions, Acuity-powered online booking for parties and field trips, Google Forms membership checkout, and a library Adventure Pass channel. The organization partners with the Association of Children's Museums for reciprocal network benefits (50% off at 300+ museums), co-hosts events with the City of Windsor Heights, and is currently in a 'From Love to Legacy' capital campaign launched in 2025 to fund relocation to a larger permanent facility with installations scheduled from fall 2026 through early 2027.
Governance is provided by a Board of Directors led by President Micki Henderson, with Co-Founder and Executive Director Julie Burtnette running operations and Programming & Events Director Ashlen Sheaffer managing community programming. There is no parent company, no institutional investor ownership, and no app, API, or proprietary technology platform; the technology footprint is limited to standard scheduling, e-commerce, and NeonCRM-based donation tooling. The organization is preparing for a step-change in physical capacity tied to the new facility buildout, with summer camps planned to resume in 2026 after a 2025 pause.
Des Moines Children's Museum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Des Moines Children's Museum
- Legal name
- Des Moines Children's Museum
- Website
- https://dsmchildrensmuseum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Des Moines Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a single children's museum at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving families with children ages 0-10 through interactive playscapes, weekly educational programming, birthday parties, field trips, and community events, while raising capital to relocate to a larger facility by 2027.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Des Moines Children's Museum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Museum Services
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO)
Keywords
Where Des Moines Children's Museum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Des Moines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Des Moines Children's Museum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Museum Admissions: Daily admission fees charged per visitor based on age. Children under 1 and members are free. Reduced admission available through Museums for All program for EBT/WIC cardholders.
- Annual Memberships: Annual memberships sold at $125 for family (up to 6 members) and $200 for Membership Plus (7 humans). Includes free unlimited visits and ACM reciprocal network benefits.
- Birthday Parties: Birthday party packages at $175 during open hours (includes 15 children, private room for 2 hours) or $350 for private parties outside regular hours.
- Field Trip Fees: Field trips priced at $6 per child with free admission for booked adults. Groups limited to 50 children.
- Event Participation: Special events including Witches Ride ($10 individual, $50 coven), Giggle Gala ($75 individual, $500 VIP table), and Touch a Truck.
- Donations and Grants: Capital campaign 'From Love to Legacy' started in 2025, accepting donations through their portal. Donate Now option available on website.
- Punch Cards and Merchandise: Punch cards at $30 for 5 visits or $35 for Special Delivery with greeting card. Toy sales through shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Daily Admission |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership Plus |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Punch Cards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Party - During Open Hours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Party - Private |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Field Trips |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Witches Ride 2025 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Giggle Gala 2026 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Des Moines Children's Museum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Des Moines Children's Museum operates a single physical children's museum at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, providing interactive playscapes and exhibits for children and caregivers. It sells daily admissions, annual memberships, birthday party packages, and field trip programming, supported by weekly educational offerings (STEAM, Crafty Labs, Museum Babies, Little Learners) and annual community events such as the Giggle Gala, Witches Ride, and Touch a Truck.
Product overview
The Des Moines Children's Museum operates as a single-location children's museum focused on promoting the power of play for lifelong learning. The core product is general admission to curated playscapes and interactive exhibits. The museum offers a tiered membership program (Annual Membership and Membership Plus) providing unlimited visits with reciprocal benefits through the Association of Children's Museums network. Supplementary revenue streams include birthday party packages (open-hours and private), field trips, and summer camps. Weekly programming includes educational components (STEAM activities, Museum Babies, Little Learners, Messy Play, Crafty Labs) and monthly sensory-friendly events. Annual signature events include the Giggle Gala (adult fundraising event), Witches Ride, and Touch a Truck. The museum also provides accessibility programs (Museums for All, Adventure Pass library program) and sells punch card packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Museum Admission
Quantifiable outcome
- Sensory-friendly hours offered monthly on 4th Friday
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Des Moines Children's Museum
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Des Moines Children's Museum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Des Moines Children's Museum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Association of Children's Museums (ACM)coreACM Reciprocal Network partnership allows members to receive 50% off admission at over 300 participating children's museums worldwide. This is a key membership benefit driving family membership sales.
- Windsor HeightscoreCo-hosting Touch a Truck event annually at Colby Park and partnering on Fall Fest including Witches Ride. Partnership provides community event presence and cross-promotion opportunities.
- Local LibrariesminorAdventure Pass program allows library patrons to check out free museum admission passes. Expands reach to library-going families who may not otherwise visit.
- Home Builders AssociationminorParticipating in Home Show events with drop-and-shop programming, reaching families attending home improvement events.
- Local Daycares and SchoolsminorField trip program serves schools and daycares with group admission rates. Membership Plus tier specifically targets in-home daycares as primary audience.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Des Moines Children's Museum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Des Moines Children's Museum social profiles
Digital presenceDes Moines Children's Museum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Des Moines Children's Museum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Des Moines Children's Museum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Des Moines Children's Museum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Des Moines Children's Museum
What does Des Moines Children's Museum do?
The Des Moines Children's Museum operates a single physical children's museum at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, providing interactive playscapes and exhibits for children and caregivers. It sells daily admissions, annual memberships, birthday party packages, and field trip programming, supported by weekly educational offerings (STEAM, Crafty Labs, Museum Babies, Little Learners) and annual community events such as the Giggle Gala, Witches Ride, and Touch a Truck.
Is Des Moines Children's Museum a public or private company?
Des Moines Children's Museum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Des Moines Children's Museum founded?
Des Moines Children's Museum was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Des Moines Children's Museum based?
Des Moines Children's Museum is headquartered in West Des Moines, United States, in the North America region.
How does Des Moines Children's Museum make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Museum Admissions are the primary driver. The others are annual Memberships, birthday Parties, field Trip Fees, event Participation, donations and Grants and punch Cards and Merchandise.
Does Des Moines Children's Museum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Des Moines Children's Museum.
What industry is Des Moines Children's Museum in?
Des Moines Children's Museum's product category is Children's Museum Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAE, Children’s Museums, with a secondary code of THAJAKAO, Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7900.