Creative Discovery Museum Named Most Searched Kids Activity in Tennessee, Launches Summer Season with “Day of Play” Block Party
May 5, 2026 [Chattanooga, Tenn.] — As children’s museums across the country gain renewed national attention for their role in hands-on learning and family engagement, Creative Discovery Museum is kicking off the summer season with a celebration designed to bring that momentum to life in downtown Chattanooga.
Recent national coverage, including features in The New York Times, has spotlighted the growing importance of children’s museums as essential community spaces where learning, play, and connection intersect. That national interest is reflected in travel and family destination trends, with Creative Discovery Museum recently recognized as the most-saved kids activity in the state of Tennessee, according to reporting from Yelp and The Tennessean.
“Families are actively seeking places where their kids can explore, experiment, and play,” said Tim Sears, President and CEO of Creative Discovery Museum. “What we’re seeing nationally is a reaffirmation of what children’s museums have always known—play is powerful learning.”
That momentum sets the stage for a uniquely Chattanooga summer. As the only designated National Park City in North America, Chattanooga offers families access to outdoor exploration, riverfront experiences, and urban adventure, all within reach of everyday life. Creative Discovery Museum is embracing that identity this season, encouraging families to see the city itself as an extension of the museum experience.
As an early launch to the summer, the Museum will host Day of Play, a free community block party on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will transform the street in front of the Museum into an interactive play space featuring hands-on activities, creative experiences, and family-friendly programming designed to celebrate the joy of play.
In addition to the outdoor festivities, the Museum will celebrate its birthday by offering discounted admission for the day, giving families the opportunity to explore its exhibits at a special throwback to 1995 prices of $4.95 for children and $7.95 for adults.
CDM is especially grateful to the community partners participating in Day of Play and sponsors PlayCore, TVFCU, and Vision Hospitality for joining the Museum’s vision to make this community the best place for every child to grow up.
Day of Play serves as an early kickoff to a full summer of programming at Creative Discovery Museum, reinforcing the idea that meaningful discovery doesn’t require travel far from home—it’s already here in Chattanooga’s backyard.
“This is about opening the doors wider,” Tim Sears added. “Whether you’re exploring inside the Museum, playing downtown, or discovering a trail along the river, this summer is about seeing Chattanooga as a place built for play.” For more information about Day of Play and summer programming, visit www.cdmfun.org.
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About Creative Discovery Museum
Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) is a leading non-profit children’s museum that offers hands-on educational programs and exhibits in the arts and sciences. With 300,000 visitors every year, CDM is a popular tourist destination and is consistently ranked among the best children’s museums in the country. Our mission is to inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play, making our community the best place for a child to grow up. You can visit us every day except Wednesday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. For more information, visit cdmfun.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.