Grassroots and Growing


The Children's Museum of the Magic Valley (CMMV) is an emerging hands-on children's museum to be located in Twin Falls, Idaho. CMMV will focus exhibits, programming, and children's activities on the Magic Valley's 37,000 children ages birth through eleven years. The research and concept development behind CMMV has been ongoing since mid-2018 when it was founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

A children’s museum is a collection of designed spaces that encourage learning through hands-on play. They are community assets that are constantly addressing the needs of all children and families in their communities through exhibits, outreach, programming, and other educational children's activities. It is not a drop-off facility, but rather a place to explore and learn and have fun together.

Our mission is to engage children of all ages and abilities in learning through imaginative play and discovery. Our vision is to be a gathering place that builds wonder and curiosity in children and families. A board of directors works diligently to bring this educational amenity to the community. In June 2019 we launched our Community Outreach Program. Over 2,000 people participated in hands-on mobile exhibits over the summer. In fall 2019, we expanded our impact by partnering with area elementary schools to host STEM Family Nights. We served 2,850 individuals within the first year of our educational outreach program.

We are not stopping with community outreach. Our goal is to establish a permanent, state-of-the-art children's museum in Twin Falls. The Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency (URA) entered into exclusive negotiations with CMMV for the purchase of a .50 acre lot in downtown Twin Falls on the corner of 3rd Street South and Idaho Street South. CMMV hired Frame Integrative Design Strategies, based in Seattle, Washington, to assist us in the exhibit concept and design of the museum. The best children’s museums in the country reflect the values, history, and geography of the areas they serve, and that is what you can expect from CMMV. Woven throughout the museum will be the thematic elements of Building Community, Connecting to Place, Discovering STEAM, and Exploring Sustainability. We are excited to see the magic within the Magic Valley unfold as we work together to create a beautiful museum for our children.

CMMV Mission


To engage children of all ages and abilities in learning through imaginative play and discovery.

CMMV Vision


To be a gathering place that builds wonder and curiosity.







Our Core Values


  • We place children at the center of our thoughts and actions.
  • Create an environment that is accessible and welcoming for persons of all abilities.
  • Provide a safe gathering place for the families within our community.
  • Base programming and exhibits on research.
  • Maintain a spirit of collaboration within our community.
  • Strive to “do it right.”
  • Honor and celebrate diversity in age, generation, culture, and experience.
  • Be fiscally responsible

Milestones


March 2018
Five women met together to discuss how to build a Children’s Museum for the Magic Valley.

May 2018
CMMV became recognized by the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) as an emerging museum. Attending our first Interactivity conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.

November 2018
501(c)(3) charitable organization status was approved.

January - April 2019
Benchmarking Feasibility study conducted by the Research and Business Development Center.

May 2019
Three board members attended ACM’s Interactivity conference in Denver, Colorado.

November 2019
Offered STEM Family Nights to area elementary schools and were booked within the first 48 hours!

September 2020
Added art to our mobile outreach and launched Family STEAM Nights.

December 2020
Through the tremendous support of our community, we completed our Founding 50 Campaign, a start-up funding campaign of $150,000.00.

Early 2021
The Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency (URA) entered into exclusive negotiations with CMMV for the purchase of a .50 acre lot in downtown Twin Falls on the corner of 3rd St S and Idaho St S.

March 2021
CMMV hired Frame Integrative Design Strategies, CSHQA Architects, and EHM Engineers to design the concept for the new museum.

September 2021
CMMV Museum Concept Design was completed.


Concept Design

The great architect Daniel Burnham once said, "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's souls." CMMV is not in the business of making small plans. We hope to build a 14,000 square foot building for children up to 11 years old and their families to imagine, create, dream, explore, and discover the magic in the Magic Valley. Some of these inspiring spaces will include:

  • Dream Ship Climbing Structure
  • Kid City Wing
  • Snake River Water Wing
  • Water Play, Spray, and Pour
  • Agriculture Wing
  • Kids Teaching Kitchen
  • Art Studio & Maker Space
  • Gather & Perform Area
  • Dedicated Toddler Area

Outdoor Connect with Nature Garden The themes of building community, connecting to place, and discovering STEAM will be woven throughout.

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CMMV_dreamship_SK AR 2021-05
Entry Sketch
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Community Impact

CMMV aims to be more than a nice place to spend the day. We are and will be an anchor for our community, serving as a local destination, an educational laboratory, a community resource, and most importantly, an advocate for the children of South Central Idaho.

To help us explain the breadth and depth of the impact we foresee, CMMV has developed an “Areas of Impact Wheel.” The nine different impact areas, taken together, illustrate how we are not just “nice” for our community; we are necessary.



Professional Associations & Organizations


Logo: Association of Children's Museums
Logo: Northwest Association of Youth Museums
Logo: Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce
Logo: Idaho Nonprofit Center
Logo: IAM Idaho Association of Museums
Logo: IAM Idaho Association of Museums
Logo: IAM Idaho Association of Museums