Buell Children's Museum

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We are open. Get tickets.

You’ll say “WOW!” when you visit the Buell Children’s Museum.

About the Buell Children's Museum

(Note: Some areas may be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions)

The Buell Children’s Museum was recognized as the second best children’s museum for art in the nation by Child Magazine.  With innovative, hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science, and history, it’s no wonder the Buell Children’s Museum has been voted the “Best Museum in Pueblo” for over a decade!

This 12,000 square-foot, two-level facility offers innovative, hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science and history for people ages 1 to 101.  Designed by the same architectural firm which created the original Sangre de Cristo Arts Center buildings—Hurtig, Gardner, Froelich & Barnosky—the Buell Children’s Museum is the third structure in our arts complex. 

The Reilly Family Gallery offers changing, hands-on exhibitions in a bright, two-story space. Sensations is a high-tech, multi-sensory exhibit in which visitors activate lights, sound clips and video by pressing fifty separate sensors located on the floors and walls.  In the El Pomar Magic Carpet Theater, visitors may watch a program on the cutting-edge projection equipment or take over the stage and star in their own theatrical production.  In the Artrageous Studio, visitors create personal masterpieces using paper, ribbon, mylar and other sparkly, gooey materials.  Children under the age of four can explore and learn in the Buell Baby Barn, which offers a variety of age appropriate activities in a fun barnyard theme. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult (17+) while visiting the museum. 

“The Buell Children’s Museum is such a wonderful place for children to learn by exploring and experiencing….It is a museum where children can touch and learn by becoming part of the exhibits.”  - Heidi R.

"Friendly and engaging staff, lots of great exhibits for young kids, and responsible Covid protocol." - Zachary M.

"Super great place for the family, children can learn as they play, amazing staff - recommend to everyone! Not enough stars available to give." - Suzana C.

AWARDS

Voted the Best Museum in Pueblo by Pueblo Chieftain readers back-to-back 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019!

Environmental Leadership Award 2013

Current Exhibit

"Adventures in Art: From Pyramids to Printing Presses" puts YOU in the role of archaeologist and explorer as you uncover mysteries of Ancient Egypt and learn about life after the Dark Ages. From the pyramids to the printing press, the Buell Children's Museum is inviting visitors to discover the artistic and technological advances made through history.

• Join the Buell Expedition Crew to uncover secrets of the pyramids! Translate hieroglyphics and find all the missing artifacts to earn a piece of the Pharaoh's treasure!
• Sculpt and paint your own replica of ancient relics to take piece of history home with you!
• Learn about the art of medieval warfare!
• Make a stained glass window to catch the light, just like in a cathedral!
• Finish your journey through art history with modern glass blowing like Dale Chihuly! You can even make a "glass" sculpture to be part of our community installation piece!

Let's have an (safe) ADVENTURE!  The museum experience has changed in order to comply with health and safety mandates. Here's what to expect on your visit. 

• Masks are required for ages 3+. 
• Due to some play area restrictions, this exhibit is best for ages 5+.
• Reservations are required in order to guarantee your space. Occupancy is limited to 30 visitors per timeblock.
• Social distancing will be enforced.  Most activity stations are limited to one family at a time. 
• Adventurers will recieve their own toolkit of art supplies when they arrive. These tools will be used throughout your visit and returned before you leave.
• Visitors will be temperature checked upon arrival.  Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be refused entry.
• There is a list of closed areas below.
• Staff is available to help and answer questions at all times!
• Please know that restrictions in the exhibit are not what we had planned, but it's still FUN!

Admission:
Wed-Sat 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm.
Admission is $10 / $8 Child, Senior 65+.  Get tickets.
Advanced timed tickets at sdc-arts.org are suggested to guarantee your space.
Ages 3+ must wear face mask.

Due to COVID-19, the Buell Children's Museum will have the following areas closed:
   -Kid Rock Cafe (no food allowed, please)
   -Upstairs restrooms
   -Sensations Tunnel
   -Artrageous Studio
   -Magic Carpet Theater

Sick Child/Patron Policy

Our team here at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center carefully monitors museum facilities around the clock. We work hard to ensure children enjoy play time in a safe and clean environment, and ask parents to screen their children’s health before visiting the museum - in addition to monitoring their play responsibly during their visit. 

If a child (or adult) is too sick to attend school or work, they are too sick to visit the Arts Center and the Buell Children’s Museum. 

In order to provide a healthy environment for all museum guests, we ask that you refrain from visiting if you or your child have or display any of the following symptoms: 

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) 
• Fever (in excess of 100.5 degrees)
• Diarrhea 
• Severe cold with sinus drainage 
• Impetigo (infectious skin disease that shows up as small pimples that turn into red blisters in a circular pattern)
• Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease 
• Vomiting 
• Lice 
• Strep throat (child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before coming to the museum.) 
• Any of the following childhood diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, roseola, chicken pox, fifth's disease or any other transmittable disease. 

Parents of potentially sick children will be addressed in a respectful manner, but they may be asked to come back and visit at a future date based on observation of the above illnesses.  

Association of Children's Museums

The Buell Children's Museum is a member of the Association of Children's Museums, a trade organization made up of more than 500 members. Children's museums are one of the fastest-growing segments in United States educational/cultural institutions. Over the last decade, the number of children's museums has grown by 100% annually, reaching 30 million children and their families. Children's museums rank only second to zoos among museum-related attractions in their ability to attract ethnically and culturally diverse audiences, and address the developmental needs of young children.

Plase note:  The café in the Children's Museum is closed.   

Please check back for updates, as we hope to have a new vendor soon!  
Interested in being a vendor?   Download the Request for Interested Vendors.