We are a local non-profit children’s museum and are very committed to our mission of helping kids develop a lifelong love of learning while fostering fun, meaningful interaction with their friends, family and community. We are similar to many other fee-based businesses; such as a movie theater (where adults pay even when seeing a children’s film), or a living history museum or historical society, a zoo, or any other entertainment destination.

We often say that children and their grown-ups are having so much fun playing that they don’t even know they’re learning. Our professional Early Childhood Education staff is dedicated to a research based learning through play approach to education. We create research based exhibits and programming. We carefully incorporate early childhood foundations and Oregon state standards and benchmarks into our museum offerings. We partner with local Early Childhood professionals to ensure that the quality and content of what we offer is developmentally appropriate. We are committed to the well being of your child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth and development.

By simply visiting the museum with your child you are supporting high quality learning and fun. Our annual budget is $475,000 with admissions covering only 45% of our costs. That means we need to raise over $260,000 in contributed revenue (individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants). In addition to our hands-on creative and fun environment, your admission makes it possible for us to provide dynamic programming such as daily science experiments, Saturday Creations (art in Kaleidoscope Corner), Super Science Sundays—all free with admission. We also sponsor free community events like SummerFest, Week of the Young Child (a free community barn party and dinner), and Halloween in the Old Mill.

At Working Wonders we firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn and play with their grown-ups, which is why we partner with over 20 social service agencies to provide museum access for families in need living in Central Oregon. If this seems to describe you and your family, please contact Jenny McKenzie , our Education and Outreach Manager, at jennym@workingwonders.org or 389-4500 ext 15. Some of our partners include: Big Brother Big Sister of Central Oregon, Deschutes County’s Child & Maternal Health and WIC programs, NeighborImpact’s Child Care Resources and HeadStart programs, High Desert ESD’s Healthy Beginnings, Ready*Set*Go, Early Childhood Special Education and Family Access Network programs, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, Latino Community Association, Bend & Redmond’s Teen Parent Programs, and the Family Resource Center.

If you’re a museum regular, our Punchcards and our Golden Ticket Unlimited Family Pass programs may be better options for your family. For example, a 10-Admission Punchcard is $45 and includes 10 punches and 2 additional passes for a total of 12 visits. The actual cost per visit is $3.75 for this option instead of $6. We also offer several adult “admission-free” days such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents’ Days. We are working on a grant to provide free family fun days in the museum, too.

Regardless of how you access the museum (Punchcard, Golden Ticket, Family Access Program, or regular daily admission), your admission includes the added value of a unique opportunity to learn with your children, experience art and science programming, access daily specials, and learn from special guests and community experts.

The cost of an admission, at its core, is the most basic way to support Working Wonders. And we are thankful for your visit.