About Knock Knock Museum
Discover Our Story
Who We Are
A Museum on a Mission
Knock Knock Children’s Museum is a community spark for engaging, playful learning experiences that inspire and support lifelong learning.
Knock Knock Children’s Museum is a 26,000-square-foot facility nestled in BREC’s scenic City-Brooks Park. Featuring 18 interactive Learning Zones and a two-and-a-half story “Storybook Climber,” it is a vibrant hub of exploration, sparking a love for learning through PLAY! Through hands-on activities, we empower children to become readers, creative thinkers, and innovative problem solvers, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Vision & Values
We Open Doors
Knock Knock Children’s Museum envisions a connected, caring community where all children and families collaborate to become creative thinkers and innovative problem-solvers. View our core beliefs about child development and learning here.
Playful Learning
We believe play is powerful. Our programs are designed to inspire active, joyful learning and support all areas of children’ development.
Relationships
We nurture positive relationships and interactions in the museum. We link generations and collaborate with our community to invest in the future of our children.
Innovation + Creativity
We celebrate children’s creativity and foster innovation. We embrace evidence-based approaches to continually evolve and provide enriching learning opportunities.
Excellence
We strive for excellence in everything we do, committing to continuous improvement and responsible stewardship of our resources. We strive to be a healthy, safe, and welcoming place for visitors.
Our History
Research demonstrates that young children learn best through play and interaction with supportive adults. In 2004, a determined group of women envisioned a place for the children and families of the Capital Region that was specially designed to facilitate learning through play.
A comprehensive feasibility study revealed overwhelming community support focused on early literacy and hands-on learning. A major fundraising campaign, anchored by the Irene W. and C.B Pennington Foundation, an esteemed group of Founding Sponsors, BREC, and support from thirty Founding Members, brought the museum to life. Working with nationally respected museum planners, early childhood education experts, and community focus groups, and guided by a formal Learning Framework to guide planning and design efforts, the museum first opened in August of 2017.
Louisiana-based Remson-Hayley-Herpin Architects created the museum’s award-winning design. Cambridge Seven Associates, a national award-winning firm based outside of Boston, designed the museum’s exhibits, which Nashville-based 1220 Exhibits constructed. Today, Knock Knock Children’s Museum actively enhances its status as a best-in-class facility in Louisiana, opening the door to a world of possibility through playful learning for hundreds of thousands of area children.
Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning
A Place for All To Play
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in an environment that nurtures their innate curiosity. By offering a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment, we empower children to develop critical thinking skills, cultivate their imaginations, and build confidence, setting the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Partners & Founding Members
Founding Partners
- The Recreation and Parks Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC)
- Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation
Founding Learning Zone Sponsors
- All Hands on Deck – The Parks Family Foundation & Carline Companies
- Art Garden – A Friend of Knock Knock
- Bubble Playground – Albermarle Foundation
- By-You Building – Performance Contactors and Triad Electric & Controls, A Newton Group Co.
- Fishtales – DOW Chemical
- Geaux Figure Playhouse – Postlethwaite & Netterville
- Go Go Garage – Faye Rogan Lane
- I See Food Café – Cailyn Michael Parenton Foundation
- Knock Knock Maker Shop – A Friend of Knock Knock
- Knock Knock Square – Performance Contractors
- Pelican Pantry – Associated Grocers
- Quiet Cabin – Woman’s Hospital
- Ship Shape – Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital
- Story Tree – LUBA Casualty Insurance Company
- Storybook Climber – A Friend of Knock Knock,
- Paws & Claws Clinic – A Friend of Knock Knock
- Butterfly Mobile – Louisiana Public Broadcasting
- Huddle Up Team Room – Jones Walker LLP
- Welcome Center – Merrill Lynch
- Lakeview Terrace – Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic
Founding Members
- The Albemarle Foundation
- All Star Automotive
- Amedisys, Inc.
- Andreeff Foundation
- Aza and Tim Bowlin
- Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling, Inc.
- Brookwood Properties
- Capital Area United Way
- Catherine and Matthew Saurage
- Chad L. Prather, MD & Camile A. Silva
- Chip and Mi Mi Bankston – In loving memory of Graham Bankston
- Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge Foundation
- Douglas L. Gordon, M.D. Family
- ExxonMobil
- Junior League of Baton Rouge
- Knock Knock Founding Board of Directors
- Lamar Advertising Company
- Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
- Mary Kay and Terrell Brown Kate and Tee Brown Mary Charlotte and Lloyd Collette Fund
- Peoples Health
- Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
- SGS Petroleum Service Corporation
- The Boo Grigsby Foundation
- The City of Baton Rouge
- The Manship Family
- The McMains Foundation
- The Savoie Family
- Waters & Pettit Commercial Real Estate
Awards
2024 – Voted Best Family-Friendly Attraction, 225 Magazine
2021, 2022, and 2023 – Voted Best Museum, 225 Magazine/Baton Rouge Business Report
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 – Voted Best Place to Spend the Day with the Kids, 225 Magazine/Baton Rouge Business Report
2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 – Voted Favorite Museum, BR Parents Magazine
2019 – Named a Making Spaces Regional Hub for Maker Education
2018 – Good Growth Award, Baton Rouge Growth Coalition
2018 – People’s Choice Award, Baton Rouge Growth Coalition
2018 – National Philanthropy Day’s Board of Directors Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals
2018 – Museum of the Year, Louisiana Association of Museums
2018 – Facilities Award, National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials
2018 – Happy Award, LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning & Leadership
2018 – Silver Rose Award, American Institute of Architects, Baton Rouge Chapter
2018 – National Design Award of Honor, Society of American Registered Architects