RENDERING VIA IAM CHILDRENS MUSEUM
Orlando’s first dedicated children’s museum is planned for Winter Garden, with a target opening in 2030.
I AM Children’s Museum (Website), an initiative of the Winter Garden nonprofit 8 Waves (Website), is slated to break ground in 2027. It will sit on a 2.67-acre site at 971 E. Plant Street [GMap] in Winter Garden, next to the 22-mile West Orange Trail. The museum is designed mainly for children ages 2 to 12. The fact sheet describes about 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and four themes: create, connect, discover, and solve.
Planned exhibits include I AM Creative for painting, sculpting, and sewing; I AM a Builder for design and construction; and I AM Community, a kid-sized town where children explore real-world roles and financial literacy. A signature outdoor exhibit called the Tree of Possibilities will combine art and play. Nearly two miles of Discovery Trails will focus on nature and eco-education, and about 12,500 SF of outdoor exhibits will also be added.
The museum projects about 250,000 visitors a year, including about 150,000 locals, and a $45 million regional financial impact, according to the fact sheet. It also says the museum plans free and subsidized admission and expects to reach more than 5,000 students and higher-education participants a year through programs and internships.
Orange County commissioners approved the $25 million in Tourist Development Tax funds on October 19, as part of more than $780 million in tourist tax spending. The $25 million covers more than half of the roughly $45 million total capital cost. The project is being developed through a 90-year partnership with the City of Winter Garden. Under that agreement, 8 Waves will pay the city $10 a year for the property, according to the fact sheet. A parking garage and a shuttle from area hotels are also planned.
