There once was a magical house tucked away in a little village. This house was no ordinary house, for it was always changing and transforming itself. It had a mind of its own, and it was said to possess incredible powers. The magic house would appear differently to each person who stumbled upon it. Some saw a small cottage covered in ivy, while others saw a grand mansion with towering pillars. Inside, the rooms would rearrange themselves, creating a new layout every time someone entered.
The Magic House
The Magic House will engage all children in hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.
Our Mission
The Magic House will engage all children in hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.
Our Vision
The Magic House will be a leader in providing and advocating hands-on learning for children of all ages and abilities. As the premier children’s museum, it will be a unique, welcoming venue where childhood is protected, nurtured and celebrated.
Our History
The Magic House, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was founded by two St. Louis women, Jody Newman and Barbie Freund, who volunteered three years of their time to create a cultural institution that would be both educational and fun.
To house the region’s first interactive children’s museum, they chose a vacant Victorian mansion in suburban Kirkwood, located in the demographic center of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The house was originally built in 1901 as a private home for the George Lane Edwards family. Mr. Edwards was a managing partner in his family’s brokerage firm, A.G. Edwards & Sons, as well as the first president of the St. Louis Stock Exchange and a director of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Thanks to the efforts of the founders and the contributions of many St. Louis-area individuals, corporations and foundations, The Magic House opened to the public on October 16, 1979.
Our Audience
Throughout our history, The Magic House has sparked the imaginations of more than 10 million visitors. We welcome over 500,000 children, parents, grandparents and caregivers to the museum each year. More than 47,000 students visit The Magic House annually on school field trips. For those unable to come to the museum, The Magic House comes to them, reaching more than 30,000 children every year through outreach programs delivered to schools, libraries, community centers, child-care facilities and hospitals.
The Magic House is not just for kids! The museum also offers programming for grown-ups including staff development workshops for educators, parent-child classes and special events for grandparents.
Our Funding
The Magic House is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. About half of the museum’s revenue comes from admission fees. Other sources of earned income are the Picnic Basket Café, Museum Shop, memberships and program fees. The Magic House does not receive funds from the United Way, the Arts & Education Council or tax revenue.
Our Awards
The Magic House’s innovative and interactive exhibits and programs have been recognized by Nickelodeon, Orbitz, FamilyFun magazine and Zagat, which named The Magic House the nation’s top family attraction in “child appeal.”
Our Commitment to All Kids
The Magic House is committed to sharing our resources with all children, especially those who have the fewest opportunities. The Star Society annual fund and the Education Program Fund both provide free field trips, outreach programs and other hands-on learning experiences for children, families and schools in need. As part of the museum’s commitment to provide beauty, wonder, joy and magic for everyone, The Magic House also provides events and programs for special populations including new Americans, military families, seriously ill youth and foster children.
The Magic House hosts a variety of programs for families to enjoy throughout the school year including our Petite Picasso art classes for children ages 3–5 and their special grownup and Scout Camp-Ins where scouts spend the night at The Magic House!
The Magic House is a fun children’s museum in St. Louis
It’s not often we get to talk about a site geared toward kids. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of visiting The Magic House in St. Louis with our niece, Starla.
Starla, 5, was spending time with the grandparents, so the five of us ventured off to the unknown of the St. Louis Children’s Museum. The Magic House is located inside a Victorian mansion, built in 1901. The museum in suburban Kirkwood opened to the public in 1979.
The Magic House has several options to challenge children of all ages. I would say it truly focuses on kids under 12, but, as Lisa demonstrated, there’s plenty to keep even adult children engaged.
The lobby sets the tone for a visit. Colorful balloons hug the ceiling. I loved the reflection of the lobby in them.
Just off the lobby is a music play area. The area challenges kids with creating music by turning hand cranks or rolling balls along a frame.
One little kid was excited to play the “Alphabet” song by pushing every letter. It eventually makes the musical notes to the song.
Starla had fun climbing the beanstalk, near the lobby. It runs three floors.
We visited a special exhibit highlighting China. Starla created a paper lantern that she was going to give her dad when she got back home. Lisa helped with the lantern making.
We all had a blast in the Bubble Room. Activities challenge people to create bubbles using different methods. Starla stood in a tube. I pulled a rope slowly to raise a ring with soap hanging from it. The goal was to see how high we could get the ring before the soap bubble popped. We made it a couple of feet.
Lisa created soap bubbles by blowing through a handheld device. We were so proud.
Starla – who is a freaking ball of energy – scampered off to the next challenge. She created air bubbles by playing an organ in a St. Louis Blues hockey-themed room.
I may or not have played a game of putting a puzzle together on a TV screen featuring a Blues ice logo.
After showcasing her musical talents, Miss Starla raced off to challenge her strength. A pulley display encouraged kids to see how high they could raise themselves. With her wonderful uncle’s assistance, Starla managed to reach the highest spot possible. She is one strong girl (of course, her uncle helped).
At this point, the grandparents, exhausted watching, took a beverage break. Lisa thought lemonade sounded good, so I took off for the concession area. The drinks are reasonably priced and you can get a plastic water bottle for future use at the museum.
While there, I noticed a poet tree. Kids write poems and put them on the tree. Very cute.
The Tasmanian Devil twisted herself upstairs to a shadow-making room. She and I posed to have our shadows photographed on the wall.
Starla hopped from one exhibit to another. She landed momentarily to one that created jewelry box music. And then she was gone!
“We” checked out the St. Louis Rams exercise room. Since Sam Bradford is now a Philadelphia Eagle, me thinks the museum will change the uniform in the locker.
Starla was done checking out the inside of the house. Now, it was time to visit the backyard.
The Magic House hosted a special exhibit – Sandcastle Beach. It included a sandcastle created by an artist and a “beach” for kids to play and dig for sea shells. The exhibit – which used 78 tons of sand for the castle and 100 tons for the beach – ran through the end of June.
Starla dug and dug, looking for the perfect seas shell. She put a lot of effort into. She had a serious look on her face several times while digging.
Viola! She scooped up several shells. She was happy to show us her loot. She was sweet and offered to share her shells with another little girl. The girl didn’t want anything to do with the sea shells at first, but her parents encouraged her to take at least one. Starla was a little bummed when she was allowed to keep only one shell, herself. We told her she needed to share the shells with all other kids who soon visit the area.
We had a fun time chasing Starla around The Magic House. Honestly, she is such a good kid that it was a fun time. We recommend checking out The Magic House, regardless if you have kids. The house is beautiful and some of the exhibits would be interesting to anyone. It just helps to have a little kid along to add some fun.
The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum
If you're looking for a fun place to take your kids to in Kirkwood MO, The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum is a great option. It's located in Kirkwood MO and features exhibits and activities that are perfect for children of all ages. Some of the highlights include a three-story slide, a life-sized house where kids can explore, and a room filled with bubbles. There's also a theater where you can catch a movie and a cafe where you can get a snack. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children aged 2-17. If you're planning to visit The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum, be sure to check out the website for information on hours, special events, and more. You can also find the museum on Facebook and Twitter.
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum in Kirkwood MO is a great place for kids to learn and have fun. Whether you're visiting the museum for the first time or you're a regular, be sure to check out the special events that are taking place this month. The museum has something for everyone, so bring your family and friends and enjoy a day of fun and learning. Admission is affordable, and parking is free. What more could you ask for? Make plans to visit The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum today! You won't regret it.
Business Information:
Kirkwood Heating & Air Conditioning
9350 Watson Industrial Park, St. Louis, MO 63126
314-470-1080
Inside, the rooms would rearrange themselves, creating a new layout every time someone entered. It was impossible to predict what the house would look like or what secrets it held. Legend had it that the magical house granted wishes to those who were pure of heart.
If someone entered with a genuine desire and a selfless intention, the house would work its magic to fulfill their request. It could make dreams come true and turn the impossible into reality. But there was a catch - the magic house had a mischievous side. The house had a playful nature and loved to challenge its visitors. It would create puzzles and riddles, testing the person's wit and intelligence. Only those who could solve these puzzles would be granted their wish. It was a way for the house to ensure that only the truly deserving could benefit from its powers. In addition to its trickery, the magic house had a protective nature. It would ward off any harm or danger that threatened its inhabitants. If someone with ill intentions attempted to enter, the house would manifest traps and obstacles to keep them out. It was adept at sensing the true intentions of people and would determine if they were worthy of stepping inside. Over time, the magic house became renowned throughout the land. People from far and wide would travel to find it, hoping to have their wishes come true. Some were successful, their lives forever changed by the magic of the house. Others left disappointed, unable to solve its mysteries and unlock its powers. But the true beauty of the magic house lay not in the wishes it granted, but in the journey it offered. It was a place of self-discovery and personal growth. Many who visited the house found more than just their wish; they found a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. The magic house remained a mystical and enigmatic place, captivating the hearts and minds of those who encountered it. It continued to change and transform, revealing new secrets and challenges to those who were brave enough to enter its doors. It was a testament to the power of belief and the wonders that could be found in the most unexpected places..
Reviews for "Unveiling the secrets of ancient magic houses."
1. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Magic House". The story was slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The magic elements seemed forced and didn't add much to the overall plot. The writing style felt amateurish and often repetitive. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Magic House" as there are much better fantasy books out there.
2. Robert - 1 star
I couldn't even finish "Magic House". The plot was confusing and disjointed, with events happening without any logical explanation. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to follow the conversations between the characters. The world-building was also weak, with little description and too many unanswered questions. I found myself getting frustrated with the book and decided to give up on it. "Magic House" was a huge disappointment for me.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Magic House" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long periods of nothing happening. The main character was unlikable and made questionable decisions throughout the story. The romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry. The ending left me unsatisfied and didn't provide any resolution to the various plot threads introduced earlier in the book. I was expecting a magical and engaging story, but "Magic House" failed to deliver.
4. Michael - 2 stars
I found "Magic House" to be predictable and uninspiring. The story followed a formulaic plotline, without any real surprises or originality. The writing was average, with nothing that stood out as exceptional. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. While the concept of a magical house was interesting, it wasn't enough to save this book from being just another mediocre fantasy novel. I was hoping for more from "Magic House", but it left me feeling underwhelmed.
5. Emily - 1 star
I couldn't understand the hype around "Magic House". The story felt disjointed and poorly executed. There were too many subplots that added unnecessary complexity without adding any substance. The dialogue was clunky and unrealistic, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. The magic system was confusing and underdeveloped. Overall, "Magic House" was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.