The Magic House is a not-for-profit organization that offers hands-on exhibits and educational programs reflecting the special interests and needs of children. The Museum offers a wide variety of interactive learning experiences encouraging and inspiring students of all ages to become lifelong learners, including field trips, family STEAM nights, scout programs and summer camps.
Founded by two volunteers, Barbie Freund and Jody Newman On October 16, 1979, our quaint 5,500 square foot Victorian mansion opened its doors in Kirkwood, Missouri as the region’s first children’s museum and has grown from a local attraction to an award-winning national landmark. Through a series of expansions, The Magic House has grown from 5,500 square feet to 55,000 square feet, featured hundreds of new exhibits, and have welcomed over 15 million visitors! We are honored to have provided families in the St. Louis region, and around the country, a place where imaginations are sparked, curiosity is piqued, and problem-solving skills are developed through a variety of hands-on experiences.
Throughout its history, education has been at the core of The Magic House’s mission. The Magic House offers a wide variety of interactive learning experiences encouraging and inspiring students of all ages to become lifelong learners, including field trips, family STEAM nights, scout programs and summer camps. The Magic House continually updates our hands-on exhibits to reflect current educational priorities like STEAM, civic education, and 21st-century learning skills, while aligning with the interests and needs of children today. The Magic House has had a long-term commitment to provide Access for All, an initiative to offer free admission and learning experiences to families and schools from under-resourced areas.
An award-winning educational destination, The Magic House was recognized in 2021 as the #2 children’s museum in the country by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice.
