Red Dog Children's Museum

08/12/2026

🌍 Today is International Youth Day!

The 2026 theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reminds us that young people may grow up in different places, cultures and circumstances, but they share many of the same hopes—for opportunity, belonging, dignity and a brighter future.

At Red Dog Children’s Museum, we believe children and young people deserve spaces where their ideas are heard, their curiosity is encouraged and they feel seen, valued and accepted just as they are.

Today, let’s celebrate the creativity and potential of young people everywhere—and continue working alongside them to build the future they deserve. ❤️

Learn more from the United Nations. https://social.desa.un.org/issues/youth/events/international-youth-day-2026

08/11/2026

✨ Who is your child right now?

Their favorite food. Their best friend. What they want to be when they grow up. The things that make them laugh. The things they’re proud of.

As another school year begins, take a few minutes to capture this little snapshot of who they are today with a Back-to-School Time Capsule. 🕰️

Years from now, you may be surprised by what changed — and even more touched by what stayed the same.

Check out our latest blog for some simple ideas to create your own!

👉 https://rdcm.org/blog/f/back-to-school-time-capsule-capture-who-they-are-today

A new school year brings new teachers, new routines, new friendships, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. It also gives families a wonderful chance to capture a little snapshot of who their child is right now.

08/10/2026

As schools across Southwest Kansas begin to welcome students back, let’s remember that every child we pass is someone’s whole world.

A little extra patience and attention can make a big difference. Slow down in school zones, keep an eye out at crosswalks, and always stop for school buses when the stop sign is out — in both directions. 🚌

Our children are counting on all of us to help keep their journey to and from school safe.

Slow down. Look twice. Be a good neighbor. And look out for our kids. 🦬❤️

Have a great school year kids!

08/10/2026

We will be at the Garden City Community Mexican Fiesta for their 100th celebration on Saturday September 12th!

What an incredible milestone! We are thrilled to get to be a part of it!

Go check out our friends at the Finney County Historical Museum for their “Then, Now & Always” exhibit to learn more about the history of our community’s Mexican Fiesta!

08/10/2026

A few snapshots from our field trip to Exploration Place in Wichita! 🔬🧠✨

A very special thank-you to our wonderful guide, Victoria, for taking the time to show us around, answer our many questions and share valuable advice from her experience.

As we work toward creating our own children’s museum for Southwest Kansas, opportunities like this help us learn, dream bigger and better understand what it takes to build an engaging space where children can learn through play.

We’re incredibly grateful to Exploration Place for welcoming us and giving us a glimpse of what’s possible. One day, we hope to bring a smaller version of this same kind of magic home to the children and families of Southwest Kansas!

08/09/2026

📚 August 9 is both National Book Lovers Day and the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples—giving us a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Indigenous stories, cultures, and knowledge passed from one generation to the next.

The United Nations’ 2026 theme is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” Indigenous midwives are more than caregivers—they are knowledge keepers who help preserve traditions, strengthen communities, and carry cultural wisdom forward.

One way families can honor Indigenous voices and experiences is by sharing stories together. Here are two beautifully illustrated books to explore:

🫓 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, written by Kevin Noble Maillard, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, celebrates food, family, community, history, and resilience.

🦬 Where the Buffaloes Begin, written by Olaf Baker and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, presents a legend-inspired story through the unforgettable artwork of the illustrator known for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The book was also named a Caldecott Honor Book.

Books can open a door—but they can also help children recognize that Indigenous Peoples and their cultures are not simply part of the past. They are living, diverse, and vital communities whose stories and knowledge continue today.

Learn more about the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and this year’s theme:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day

08/08/2026

If you’ve never visited Exploration Place in Wichita, put it on your list! 😊

We had the opportunity to visit today and want to give a special shoutout to our tour guide, Victoria, for taking the time to show us around, answer our many questions, and share some great advice as we work toward opening Southwest Kansas’ own children’s museum!

And if you’ve ever wondered, “What the heck is a children’s museum?” — this is it!

Now imagine a selection of hands-on exhibits like these in about 4,000 square feet right here in Southwest Kansas. That’s where we’re starting — with the dream of one day growing into a two- or three-story facility with an outdoor play space, too. 😊

We’re excited to keep moving forward! Photos coming soon!

08/08/2026

Thanks to those who braved the heat and visited us yesterday at Food Truck Friday! Unfortunately we weren’t able to get photos of kids at the exhibits so if you took any, please tag us !

Thanks to Home Range Clean Power for sponsoring us, to Garden City Downtown Vision for sponsoring Red Trolly Cafe - our food truck exhibit and thanks to Liandro at Downtown Vision and everyone at Real Men Real Leaders who came and lent a hand!

We are taking a short break! We are currently doing a research field trip to Exploration Place in Wichita today (thanks to the team there for facilitating our request!) We will be having a fundraising night thanks to our friends at Sonny's Sideline Pizza + Arcade on August 27th so mark your calendars and make plans to come dine with us at Sonny’s and support the museum!

Our next event will be in Jetmore at HorseThief Reservoir for the Great American Kite Festival.

This will be our first multi-day event where you can catch us either Saturday September 5th OR Sunday September 6th!

08/08/2026

Last but certainly not least...we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the Red Dog Children’s Museum Board of Directors.

Serving on a nonprofit board means giving your time, sharing your ideas, making difficult decisions, opening doors, and believing in a vision long before every piece of it is in place.

We are incredibly grateful for the encouragement, guidance, and support our board continues to provide as we work toward making a permanent children’s museum a reality for Southwest Kansas.

Thank you for believing in Red Dog, for believing in this community, and for helping us continue Building Our Future.

We’re fortunate to have you alongside us on this journey. 🦬❤️

08/07/2026

A big shoutout to Real Men Real Leaders for their help with setup and teardown today!

With just two people, the process can easily take two hours or more. Thanks to their extra hands, we shaved nearly an hour off that time!

We’re so grateful for the helping hands and the time they gave us today. Thank you, Real Men Real Leaders! ❤️