The phones at the KidsQuest office usually start ringing on Thursday afternoon with the same question. Yes, KidsQuest is really free on Friday Nights from 5-8pm! As a non-profit, KidsQuest is committed to serving the needs of our community and part of that need is accessibility. It's important to both our staff and the Board of Directors that all children have an equal opportunity to enrich their education and development by exploring, playing and learning at KidsQuest!

Free Friday Nights at KidsQuest offers all families, regardless of their resources, the opportunity to play, learn and explore at KidsQuest. KidsQuest chose Friday nights to be free to the public because with the busy schedules of working parents, sports practices, games and other childhood activities, Friday nights are one of the only nights families can spend quality time together. Free Friday Nights are also utilized by extended families to come all together to the Museum. With the Eastside's diverse culture, there are often extended families of up to 14 people visiting the Museum together.

Our goal for accessibility encompasses more than Free Friday Nights. KidsQuest also offers scholarships for memberships, programs and camps to families and scholarships for field trips to schools that serve children in need. Families or schools complete an application that is available on our website or at the front desk. Requests are reviewed by income level, but we also take into consideration different circumstances that lead to a family needing assistance. This last year, we have seen an increase of 300% in membership requests and double the number of field trip requests. In summer camps, we had 12 children on scholarship this last year, compared to just two the prior year.

This increase has put a strain on our Accessibility Fund. The ability to provide Free Friday Nights and scholarships is dependent on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. KidsQuest has had the great fortune to partner with Bellevue Rotary, The Boeing Company, Foss Maritime, GLY, Inc. and Sterling Realty Organization (just to name a few) who also have a commitment to serving our community by ensuring families have access to KidsQuest. We need more help to continue to provide access to all families in our community.

Through public support, children and families are brought together at KidsQuest where play inspires lifelong learning and parents are involved in enriching their child’s education and development. This early exposure to an enjoyable learning experience helps children succeed in school and later in life. If you have an idea of a company or organization that might like to support KidsQuest’s Accessibility Fund please let us know. You can also make an individual contribution online to help families explore, play and learn at KidsQuest!