JUST UP THE BLOCK. While families are now having a blast at the Children's Museum of Eau Claire's temporary Play Space, it will soon be replaced by a big new museum under construction on North Barstow Street.

With the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire planning to open soon in its new home, the organization is also creating a new membership deal. Community members who renew their memberships before Dec. 9 will get free admission to the new Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, as well as its satellite Play Spaces Menomonie and Chippewa Falls, for the entirety of 2023.

Members who renew will also get access to special museum previews and events, such as tie-dye PLAY shirts and free museum gift shop knick-knacks. Renewal of memberships begins at the Family Local Level, the first of four different membership options.

“Memberships offer families the most value and children’s museums the most opportunity to make an impact on children,” museum CEO Michael McHorney said. “Children’s museums inspire learning through play. Research shows that during play, a child’s brain becomes excited and wants to repeat the associated activity. This repetition is where learning occurs. Having a membership allows families to experience the children’s museum with free admission whenever they choose and however frequent they’d like.”

 Construction on the brand-new museum on North Barstow Street in downtown Eau Claire is set to be completed in the near future, and McHorney said the building will open in January.

For more information, visit childrensmuseumec.com.