Fiscal Year 2025 Impact Report

Play Changes Everything

Every day, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose opens its doors to families ready to explore, imagine, create, and discover together. Through joyful, hands-on experiences, we inspire children to become curious learners, creative thinkers, and confident problem-solvers. More than a destination for play, the Museum is a place where children develop essential lifelong skills, families connect, and communities come together.

Fiscal Year 2025 was a year of remarkable impact. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, partners, members, volunteers, and visitors, we welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests, expanded access to families throughout our community, celebrated the rich diversity of our region, and created meaningful opportunities for learning through play. Every visit, every program, and every shared moment helped build brighter futures for children across Silicon Valley.

Inclusive Play for Every Child

Play should be accessible to everyone.

During Fiscal Year 2025, the Museum hosted three Play Your Way events, providing sensory-friendly evenings designed specifically for children with sensory processing differences and their families. With adjusted lighting and sound, smaller crowds, and supportive environments, these evenings allowed families to experience the Museum in ways that met their unique needs while creating joyful memories together.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The Museum is an extension of the classroom, where curiosity comes alive through hands-on exploration and play. During Fiscal Year 2025, we welcomed more than 300 educational groups, giving more than 23,000 students the opportunity to learn through interactive exhibits and engaging educational experiences that complement classroom learning.

For many children, a visit to Children’s Discovery Museum is more than a field trip. It’s a chance to ask questions, solve problems, collaborate with classmates, and discover new passions. These shared experiences help build confidence, inspire creativity, and create lasting memories that support learning long after students return to school.

Growing Environmental Stewards Through BioSITE

Through the Museum’s BioSITE program, students become scientists by exploring local ecosystems, collecting field data, and developing a deeper connection to the natural world. During the 2024–2025 school year, the program engaged 458 students from seven schools across San José, empowering young people to build scientific skills while fostering environmental stewardship and curiosity about their communities.