Free2Play Access Program

The Children’s Museum is committed to ensuring that children and their families, regardless of their financial circumstances, can participate in the life-enriching, creative experiences we offer. To this end, the Free2Play Access Program was created, and it has been an important component of the Children’s Museum since we first opened our doors to the community over thirty-five years ago.

The Free2Play Access Program brings under-supported children to the Children’s Museum for general admission, school visits, day camps, special events, and after-school clubs FREE OF CHARGE! The program is open to qualifying Manitoba schools, registered day cares, social service organizations, and individuals.

While the actual number of eligible participants in the Free2Play Access Program is contingent upon funding received through donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals, the Children’s Museum strives to reserve 10% of museum attendance for Free2Play Access Program participants each year.

In 2022, we are pleased to report that 2,383 visitors sparked their creative learning at the Children’s Museum thanks to this meaningful program.

About the Free2Play Access Program

The Free2Play Access Program is composed of several different services and events, including:

• School Programs & Explorations (with rural Manitoba transportation subsidies)
  The Children’s Museum offers one free visit per year to every class in under-supported Manitoba schools, registered day cares, and select social service organizations on a first-come, first-served basis. Recognizing the costs of transportation for rural schools coming to Winnipeg, a transportation subsidy for Manitoba schools in rural communities 40 km or further from Winnipeg may also be available through this program.

• After-School STEAM Clubs
  Open to students in Grades 3 to 5 in under-supported Winnipeg schools, the Children’s Museum’s After-School Clubs are free programs that run in five-week sessions five times throughout the year. With the guided support of guest instructors, our After-School Clubs teach kids new skills and provide them with fun and exciting ways to express their creativity. After-School Club participants are also provided with free family passes to ensure that the student and their family are able to continue enjoying the Children’s Museum long after the After-School Club experience is complete.

• Special Events
  At least 10% of tickets to special museum events are provided to children in our Free2Play Access Program and their families to attend free of charge.

• Museum Passes & Memberships
  The Children’s Museum routinely donates free general admission passes and annual memberships to individuals and partner organizations for distribution to their clients to promote positive family relationships.

• Day Camps
  The Children’s Museum provides over 25 children a year a week-long experience in one of the museum’s Day Camps free of charge through Free2Play Access Program Day Camp Fee Subsidies. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free2Play Access Program Partner Organizations

Current partner organizations include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg
• Canadian Red Cross
• Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg
• Community Respite Service
• Harvest Manitoba
• Healthy Start for Mom & Me
• Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM)
• Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc.
• N.E.E.D.S. Inc.
• NorWest Co-op Community Health
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba
• The Link: Youth & Family Supports

The Need For Support

Our Free2Play Access Program is growing and constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.

• Each year, approximately 5,000 students visit the Children’s Museum with their school for free as part of the Free2Play Access Program.
• Transportation fees were identified as a barrier for rural Manitoba schools, and transportation subsidies are now available to support rural visitation.
• We have added transportation services to our After-School STEAM Clubs to overcome identified barriers and facilitate participation.

Your gift enables us to further develop and expand our Free2Play Access Program, allowing greater numbers of children to experience all the opportunities the Children’s Museum has to offer – free of charge.

The Free2Play Access Program is funded through donations from foundations, corporations and individuals like you. By making a donation, you are directly helping to make a difference in the lives of under-supported children in Winnipeg. Please help us ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to learn, play, and grow.

We offer the following ways to give:

1. By Phone: Call 204.924.4010
2. By Mail or Fax: Complete and return the Donation Form (PDF) to:
   Children’s Museum, 45 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4T6
   Fax: 204.956.2122
3. In Person: Visit our Admissions Desk to make your donation in person.
4. Online: We accept all major credit cards, Interac Online, PayPal transfers, and monthly giving options through CanadaHelps. To make an online donation, please click the link below.

Free2Play Access Program Supporters

The Free2Play Access Program is funded through donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. The 2023/2024 Free2Play Access Program was made possible by the following supporters:

• Barbara (Mitchell) McNeil
• Daytrippers Children’s Charity
• Hilary Druxman Design
• Katie Hursh
• RocketRez Inc.
• Sally Sweatman & Family
• Shaghayegh Ghasemi
• TELUS
• The S.M. Blair Family Foundation
• Winnipeg School Division
• Vital Transit Service Ltd.

Program Eligibility Information

The amount of support for Manitoba schools, registered day cares, individuals, and organizations available through the Free2Play Access Program is limited each year and is dependent upon funding received through donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Support will be allocated as resources allow.

Please choose one of the following areas for more detailed Eligibility Guidelines:

• Schools
• Day Cares
• Individuals
• Organizations

If you are interested in learning more about the Free2Play Access Program, please contact the Director of Education & Exhibits at 204.924.4003.

Eligibility Guidelines: Schools

a) School Programs & Explorations

The Children’s Museum offers one free visit per year to every class in under-supported Manitoba schools on a first-come, first-served basis. Recognizing the costs of transportation for rural schools coming to Winnipeg, a transportation subsidy for Manitoba schools in rural communities 40 km or further from Winnipeg may also be available through this program.

TO APPLY:

If you are an instructor in a Manitoba school and are interested in booking a free school program or general museum exploration, please contact the Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005 to learn more, or complete and submit the School Program Booking Request Form found here.

b) After-School STEAM Clubs

Open to students in Grades 3 to 5 in under-supported Winnipeg schools, the Children’s Museum’s After-School Clubs are free programs that run in five-week sessions five times throughout the year. With the guided support of guest instructors, our After-School Clubs teach kids new skills and provide them with fun and exciting ways to express their creativity. After-School Club participants are also provided with free family passes to ensure that the student and their family are able to continue enjoying the Children’s Museum long after the After-School Club experience is complete.

TO APPLY:

If you are an instructor or administrator in a Manitoba school and are interested in sending students to our After-School STEAM Clubs, please contact the Education Coordinator at 204.924.4006 to learn more.

Eligibility Guidelines: Day Cares

a) School Programs, Explorations, or Museum Passes

The Children’s Museum offers one free visit per year (either as a group booking or as individual passes) to registered day cares in Manitoba on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Who Can Qualify?

Day cares serving preschool and/or elementary age children are invited to apply for the program using the form below. (Note: Application deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.)

TO APPLY:

Please complete the Day Care Application Form here.

Eligibility Guidelines: Individuals

a) Museum Passes & Memberships

The Children’s Museum routinely donates free general admission passes and/or memberships to individuals to promote positive family relationships.

Who Can Qualify?

An individual may be eligible for a Free2Play Access Program general admission pass and/or membership if:

1. The parent/guardian has a social assistance case number
2. The parent/guardian has a refugee assistance case number
3. The child being registered has a subsidized childcare spot through the Province of Manitoba Child Care Subsidy Program 
4. The child’s family income is below the low income cut-off (LICO) (amounts listed below)

(Sources: Statistics Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide)

TO APPLY:

Please complete the Individual Application Form here.

b) Day Camps
The Children’s Museum provides over 25 children a year a week-long experience in one of the museum’s Day Camps free of charge through Free2Play Access Program Day Camp Fee Subsidies. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who Can Qualify?

A child is eligible for a Free2Play Access Program Day Camp spot if:

1. The parent/guardian has a social assistance case number
2. The parent/guardian has a refugee assistance case number
3. The child being registered has a subsidized childcare spot through the Province of Manitoba Child Care Subsidy Program
4. The child’s family income is below the low income cut-off (LICO) (amounts listed below)

(Sources: Statistics Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide)

TO APPLY:

Please complete the Day Camp Registration Request Form here.

Eligibility Guidelines: Organizations

a) Group Visits
The Children’s Museum offers free group visits to select registered not-for-profit organizations on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the needs of the organization.

b) Special Events
At least 10% of tickets to special museum events are provided to Free2Play Access Program partner organizations for clients to attend special events free of charge.

c) Museum Passes
The Children’s Museum routinely donates free general admission passes to partner organizations for distribution to their clients to promote positive family relationships.

Who Can Qualify?

Registered non-profit organizations serving preschool and/or elementary age children are invited to apply for the program using the form below. (Note: Application deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.)

TO APPLY:

Please complete the Organization Application Form here.