FRIENDS of the CMBC Supports Museum

​

Kermit The Frog once said, "With good friends, you can't lose." We believe Kermit was right; good friends make everything better. The Children's Museum of Branch County is an interactive, hands-on learning environment serving the children and families of Branch County and the surrounding area for the past six years.  Established this year, the FRIENDS of the CMBC is a group of businesses and individuals that wish to support the mission of the museum with an annual donation. These funds will be used to support programming and exhibit expansion. As a donor to this group, each FRIEND will be provided early registration for Special Events, discounts for Birthday and Private parties, invited to Member Only events and recognized as a FRIEND of the CMBC.

​

Your donation is providing thousands of children and their families in Branch County and the Tri-State area a safe place to EXPLORE, LEARN and GROW.  

Children's Museum Partners with BCCF with Museums For All!

The Children's Museum of Branch County partnered with the Branch County Community Foundation on the Museums For All! initiative which helped develop and implement the nationwide program at CMBC. Museums For All! focuses on providing access to hundreds of museums across the country at a reduced rate for Bridge Card holders.  Click on the button to watch a short video and learn more about the program.

Rosy the Lion Visits CMBC

"Rosy the Lion" was created by Anderson Elementary second grader, Ariana Vargas and is part of the Kids Art Rocks! program, a community celebration of student art sponsored by Tibbits Boosters and Arts Alive. Each year businesses or community members sponsor the art which is hung in a business for a year allowing the community to enjoy the student art. Community members Stan and Judy Bushouse leased this piece of student art to be displayed at the Children's Museum of Branch County. Please come and see Ariana's wonderful work and thank you Stan and Judy Bushouse for your support of the CMBC and Kids Art Rocks!

Kiwanis, Meijer, Jay Wright, Edward Jones and UCT #452

Become Sponsors

Recently, Kiwanis became an EXPLORE Sponsor which will be used for Museum support. “The Museum is open at a limited capacity. We continue to welcome children and families to play, explore and learn and appreciate the support from Kiwanis. They are champions of children in Branch County and the surrounding area. We are fortunate to have sponsors like Kiwanis and Meijer supporting the CMBC. In June, Meijer became a LEARN sponsor to help us with increased cleaning and sanitizing costs we have incurred because of COVID,” said Gray.  Two new sponsors to the CMBC, Jay Wright - Edward Jones and UCT #452 became TINKER sponsors in September.

In addition to programming, the museum recently started the FRIENDS of the CMBC. “Kermit the Frog once said, ‘With good friends, you can’t lose.’ We believe Kermit was right, good friends make everything better. Our FRIENDS of the CMBC support our mission of education through play because they appreciate the positive impact it has on our children and the economic benefits to Branch County by hosting visitors from Western Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and recently, as far away as Connecticut,” said Shana Grife, CMBC Board Member.

Businesses or organizations interested in becoming Sponsors or FRIENDS of the CMBC and supporting the development of children in Branch County and the surrounding area should contact the CMBC at 517-227-5571. Information is also available under the SUPPORT CMBC tab at the top of this page.  The Museum is open Wednesday 10 am - 2 pm & 4-7 pm, Thursday 10 am - 2 pm, Friday 10 am - 2 pm and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.  Admission is $5 per child.

Masks FOR SALE

The CMBC has a selection of masks for children available. Each mask is $3 and can be purchased at the Museum.

We are so excited to announce:

WE ARE OPEN!

​

While we are excited to announce the re-opening, we are doing so with caution. The following steps will be taken to keep cleanliness and health a top priority.

As of October 9, capacity will be limited to 30 PEOPLE.

​

Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the museum, and periodic hand washing will be encouraged.

​

Cleaning supplies will be available throughout the museum for visitors to use before/after they visit an exhibit if they wish.

​

Visitors will be encouraged to keep to their own family/group - and promote social distancing between families/groups.

​

Visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear masks except for situations that include a medical condition. Masks are available to purchase at the CMBC for $3.

​

The museum will be thoroughly cleaned/sanitized after every shift.

​

If you would like to schedule a party, please contact the museum so we can discuss details.

​

We look forward to seeing you soon!

As the only museum of its kind in a 35 mile radius, the Children’s Museum of Branch County has been busy this Summer refreshing current exhibit space and adding new exhibits for young children to enjoy. “We are excited to have added some new elements to the CMBC over the past few months. In addition to what we have recently added, we have many more exhibits in the planning stages right now,” said Melissa Austin, Treasurer of the CMBC Board.

With the addition of a Wind Tunnel, a scale for the Health Center, and a banking area, the Children’s Museum of Branch County has expanded its exhibit area over the past few months. The Wind Tunnel was designed specifically for children

Exhibit Expansion Increases Offerings for Children

to learn the movement of air. Designed with a clear tube and fan below, children can experiment with natural wind currents by adjusting the speed and direction of the airflow. The wind tunnel examines drag and force by using various materials such as packing peanuts, tissue paper, play silks and coffee filters. “Children are fascinated by exploring what amount of air is needed to make the items fly in the air,” said Kayla Gray, President of the CMBC Board.

Hannah Phair Joins Staff

The Children’s Museum of Branch County is pleased to announce Hannah Phair as the newest Exploration Organizer for the CMBC. Hannah is currently attending Kellogg Community College majoring in Elementary Education and plans on transferring to Trine University to continue pursuing a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a goal of becoming an elementary teacher. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her friends, family and boyfriend and enjoys going on road trips to different places whether they are close or far away. “I’m very excited to be working at the Children’s Museum because it will allow me to grow my experience interacting and working with children,” said Phair. The Museum is open Wednesday 10 am - 2 pm & 4-7 pm, Thursday 10 am - 2 pm, Friday 10 am - 2 pm and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm Admission is $5 per child.

*Special Pricing for Bridge Card Holders