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Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Announces Phased Re-opening

phone  When :
Sep 26, 2020 - Oct 04, 2020
phone   Where :
180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA, United States - 95110
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Announces Phased Re-opening

Venerable Children’s Museum to Open Outdoor Play Space September 26  Offering Much-Needed Joy and Delight to Children and Families


Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose will open Bill’s Backyard, the museum’s half-acre outdoor play space, on Saturday, September 26, for museum members’-only, in accordance with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s Reopening Plan. The museum will offer two weekends for members' only: September 26 - 27 and October 2 - 4. Bill’s Backyard will then welcome all visitors on Friday, October 9, with a three-day a week schedule every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the foreseeable future.

Reservations are required for the two play sessions per day: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 – 4:00 p.m., with an hour cleaning break between sessions. A date for reopening the inside of the museum will be announced later this fall.

“A children’s museum without children is not a very happy place, so we’re beyond excited to welcome back our valued members and then all visitors to Bill’s Backyard,” said Marilee Jennings, executive director of Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

“Families and children can expect the same fun-filled experience that inspires creativity, curiosity, and shrieks of laughter and joy. Our number one priority is to provide a safe and comfortable experience for everyone by applying the latest science with the best practices as outlined by our public health professionals, and with participation and support from our visitors. We know that play is essential to children’s healthy development and we’re eager to fulfill this role by offering much-needed fun and socialization for families,” said Jennings.

To prioritize visitor and staff safety, protocols have been put in place that meet and often exceed the county’s mandates. These include a 25% attendance cap, online reservations for contactless ticketing, plexiglass shields at admissions for staff and visitors, a mask-requirement for anyone over six years old, per the City of San Jose’s ordinance, and additional hand sanitizers.

Space and exhibit modifications have been made and signage in English, Spanish and Vietnamese has been installed to make social distancing easier. The museum’s already robust cleaning and disinfecting procedures have been stepped up to include CDC and EPA-recommended products, nano septic tape, and an hour-long cleaning and disinfecting break between morning and afternoon sessions.


New Inflatable Discovery Duck with Purple Mask now perched on Museum’s roof

NEW: Find out what all the buzz is about at the recently installed beehive observation site in the Junior Ranger Station in Bill’s Backyard. Visitors can witness the industrious bees hard at work.

Upon reopening, the museum remains committed to equity and inclusion with the continuation of the Museums for All program. This national initiative provides all families the opportunity to visit regardless of ability to pay. Admission is only $2 per person (regular ticket price is $15) with the presentation of an electronic benefit card or other specific documentation. For details, visit the website.

For more information on the museum’s health and safety plan, visit our website.

TICKET INFORMATION: Ticket prices for Bill’s Backyard are $5 per child or adult; $4 for seniors; and museum members are free. This ticket price is reduced from the regular price of $15 per person while each visit is limited to the museum’s outdoor space, Bill’s Backyard.

For ticket reservations, visit our website.

About Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
With over 150 interactive exhibits and programs, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is one of the largest museums of its kind in the nation. Since opening its doors in 1990, the award-winning museum has welcomed over 9 million visitors and offers new exhibits each year that respond to children's diverse educational needs. In 2017, Bill’s BackyardBridge to Nature opened, doubling the museum’s exhibit space with a half-acre of nature exploration and science and environmental education. The striking 52,000 square foot purple building was designed by Mexico City-based architect Ricardo Legorreta. Encompassing the broad themes of community, connections and creativity, hands-on exhibits invite self-directed, open-ended explorations.  For more information, visit www.cdm.org.


Additional Information:

Sponsor :
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Website :