Here's a sneak peek at what the new London Children's Museum will look like

The London Children's Museum is one step closer to opening at its new home at the 100 Kellogg Lane Factory in the city's east end next fall. 

Moving away from its current location at 21 Wharncliffe Rd., the museum's new 36,000-square-foot facility will have exhibits where children of all ages can learn about the world around them in an accessible and immersive way. 

"This was a space designed for children by children," said executive director Kate Ledgley. "We didn't want to be a bunch of adults in a room deciding what children are interested in."

The museum has been a staple in the city since it was founded in 1975 by Order of Canada recipient Carol Johnston. It was also Canada's first-ever children's museum.

More than 500 children and families provided input on what they wanted to see, with the focus on learning how things work in a hands-on way.

"It's not often that children are able to design spaces, so engaging them in the process was really important to us," said Ledgley.

"What the community wanted was something that represents London and then we also heard loud and clear, 'You have to have dinosaurs and you have to have space exhibits.'"

The museum has outgrown its current location and the expansion will allow it to showcase immersive exhibits in a larger space, hopefully engaging older kids as well, she added.

A 'revolving door' of displays 

The museum is in the final phase of its $23-million expansion. The team has secured $18 million in government funding and donations, and is looking for community donations for the remaining $5 million to finish the project.

Bill Tucker, the campaign's co-chair, believes the totality of experience that the museum can provide children and families is its unique selling point.

"It's a potential for a revolving door of displays, for a family experience, for kids to realize their position in our community, hands on experiences. This is the optimum educational experience for kids," said Tucker, former director of education at the Thames Valley District School Board.

Meaningful play-based learning experiences are crucial now more than ever, Ledgley said.

"The demand is high for play-based experiences for children, it's how we know they learn best. So this gives an opportunity for children to explore history, science, technology, art, culture, nature in a space that's designed just for them."

8 new exhibits

The new location plans to serve more than 145,000 families and bring $6.4 million annually to the local economy. It'll feature eight new exhibits in a space twice as large which include: 

• Branching Out: An accessible treehouse village where kids can explore how living things are connected.
• Discovery Lab: An arts studio, makers space where kids can channel their creativity and work with real tools to get exposure to future trades. 
• Farm Works: A farm and factory setting featuring the region's history in manufacturing, industry, and agriculture that teaches them where food comes from.
• Community Roots: A child-sized town with familiar spaces inspired by London, that combines local culture and history.
• Unearthed: The world of dinosaurs where they can dig for bones and explore various caves.
• Above and Beyond: Here they can become astronauts and launch into space.
• Stream: Inspired by the Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi, Antler River), focused on wildlife, physics, flood plains and how to be good stewards of the environment.
• The Annex: A new accessible open space that celebrate London's arts, culture and history.