Buell Children's Museum

The Buell Children's Museum is open without appointment!

Please call 719-295-7200 ext. 6214 if you have any questions.

• Masks are required for all guests 10 years of age and younger.
• If guests have had a COVID-19 exposure or are exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please find another time to visit the Buell Children's Museum.
• If you have further questions, please call us at (719)295-7200 ext. 6214.

Thank you for your continued support and help in keeping us all safe!

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

As one of the most important resources available, water is both a building block of life and the most destructive force on Earth. It is found in all known organisms and can present itself as a liquid, solid, and a vapor! An important element to the survival of life as we know it, humans continue to struggle with accessing it, utilizing it, and facing its awesome power.

As we explore the properties of water and all its amazing contributions to the world around, we ask ourselves what is our impact as humans on our water sources and water usage?

And we find...each decision we make...creates a ripple effect in the story. One Small change can have an enormous impact.

The Ripple Effect will consider the following:

• Where does water come from?
• What does it provide us?
• What are the challenges surrounding its acquisition and use?
• How does water impact and inspire our daily lives?

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 10 and under. 
• Due to some play area restrictions, this exhibit is best for ages 5+.
• Social distancing will be enforced.  Most activity stations are limited to one family at a time. 
• There is a list of closed areas below.
• Staff is available to help and answer questions at all times!

Admission:

Our current hours are Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 12 PM - 4 PM.

Admission is $10 / $8 Child, Senior 65+, Military, Teachers with ID. (Military? Please ask about our Blue Star Museum Program.) 

Ages 10 and under 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)

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.