A New Chapter in the CMON Story

Late last year, just as we were entering the final stretch of permitting for construction on the new Discovery School at CMON, we hit a wall. To build the school, we needed additional fire exits from the second floor. And to build those exits, the second-floor play spaces would have to close, entirely and as soon as construction began.

For our members and the team at Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, that news landed like a punch to the gut. We had spent nearly six months meticulously planning how to keep the entire museum open while heavy construction unfolded in the old administrative spaces one wall over. In an instant, that plan was obsolete. We had to start from scratch, and we had to do it in a matter of weeks, not months.

Our team sped into action. We moved our library, one of the hearts of the museum, downstairs. We transformed the Germain Lexus of Naples Celebration and Education Space off the main lobby from a classroom and party space into additional play space on the first floor. When we learned one of the new stairwells would take over our dedicated fine art storage, we decided that instead of storing the collection elsewhere, we would display the artwork throughout the museum.

I am proud to say we took the proverbial lemons the construction project handed us and turned them into something genuinely delightful. The nine months our second floor has been off-limits to visitors have not been easy. But we refused to simply wait it out. Instead, we used every one of those months to reimagine the space and to rethink, at a deeper level, what our museum could be.

Now, mark your calendars: Beginning October 1, the second floor roars back to life with an entirely new lineup of exhibits.

We have completely reinvented our beloved Adopt-A-Pet Vet Clinic as Critter Care, a hands-on adventure where visitors follow Miso, the clinic’s resident cat, as she guides Gary the dog through his very first veterinary visit. Kids will dive into animal care, biology, and empathy, while discovering the real skills professionals need to build a career working with animals. And here’s the clever part: as visitors move through the exhibit, which is generously sponsored by BarkBox, each activity has levels of complexity, so there’s a genuine challenge waiting for everyone, from wide-eyed toddlers to curious elementary schoolers.

In our newly expanded main gallery, get ready to report for duty at the Junior Deputy Academy. This immersive experience puts visitors inside the world of law enforcement, from sharpening investigative techniques and running 911 operations to, yes, climbing behind the wheel of a patrol car. There’s even a friendly competitive edge built in, with a training obstacle course that lets kids race the clock and see who comes out on top.

And because some traditions are simply too good to retire, CMON on Ice glides back onto the second floor for another season of sock-skating fun this fall.

Then, on January 5, 2027, comes the moment we have been building toward: the grand opening of Discovery School at CMON. This groundbreaking early learning center delivers high-quality, play-based education for PreK3 and PreK4 students right here in Southwest Florida’s best place to play. By blending our museum’s exhibits and hands-on experiences with a rigorous curriculum taught by licensed professionals, this school is designed to elevate early learning across our entire community and meet the growing demand for high-quality early childhood education. With full-day, year-round programming, it is built for working parents who need a school that actually works with their schedules, not against them.

None of these transformations happen without our community standing behind us. As a nonprofit, CMON depends on the generosity and investment of our donors to keep this space affordable and accessible for every family, regardless of circumstance. Every membership, every donation, and every visit helps us keep our doors open wide and our prices within reach. Because we know a simple truth: our children’s museum is better when everyone gets to play.

Now, we invite you to be part of what comes next, whether as a visitor, a member, or a supporter. Visit cmon.org to learn how you can join in on the fun. We look forward to welcoming you.