Stepping into the new FAMily Discovery Center at First Americans Museum (FAM) feels like entering a space where culture and imagination come alive. The interactive space is filled with hands-on activities that invite families to explore the traditions of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma in a way that is both educational and deeply personal.
The family-focused center opened in September 2025 and is designed not just to entertain young visitors, but to inspire curiosity, foster community and strengthen connections to the rich heritage of First American people.
“There is nowhere like the FAMily Discovery Center,” said Dr. Kelli Mosteller (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), FAM’s executive director. “It creates an important opportunity for all who visit to experience how deeply our Indigenous cultures are interwoven with the lands we call home – whether these are our ancestral homelands or not.”
Explore a beautifully detailed pop-up world
The two-story pop-up-book world, brought to life by a team at First Americans Museum and Storyline Studio, welcomes families with immersive storytelling as they climb, crawl and create in a multi-sensory environment designed to explore nature, First American cultures and generational connections.
Internationally acclaimed illustrator Mark Oliver was selected to collaborate with Native curators to create illustrations representative of First American culture and Oklahoma’s unique identity.
A playful cast of larger-than-life animals, each rooted in First American traditions, serves as forest friends, connecting visitors to the lifeways and teachings of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. These animals help transform the space into more than a play area — it becomes a living classroom, where culture is experienced through discovery and storytelling rather than just observation.
“The center is a pop-up-book love letter to families,” shared Shoshana Wasserman, FAM’s deputy director. “We wanted to create a sense of awe, interaction and imagination to showcase what makes Native communities unique and connected. Our children need a place to feel like they belong. Native children will be able to see themselves and their communities reflected throughout the forest and Oklahoma families will recognize plants and animals native to Oklahoma.
“It’s deeply meaningful to have a place where my children can learn and connect with their heritage in such an imaginative, awe-inspiring way,” shared Erin Page (Choctaw). “I also love that non-Native families and children can experience the beautifully diverse culture of Oklahoma’s 39 Tribal Nations and see that we share all so much common ground.”
An immersive space for learning
With minimal text and 20 open-ended interactives, the center is built for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy together with their parents, grandparents and caregivers. Surprises hide in all corners of the forest, high and low, waiting to be revealed.
Kids can climb through the treetops, peer down into the forest from a hawk’s nest, crawl into an animal den, peek into the underground world of insects, talk to forest friends and transport through time to learn about influential First American people throughout history into modern times.
“Using common ground, friendship, humor and playfulness, the center is a safe place for families to learn and ask questions, while celebrating nature, joy and play,” said Kimberly Rodriguez, communications project coordinator at FAM.
There is so much to discover that each visit will be like a new experience! Through lights and sounds, families move through day and night, as well as all four seasons, during a one-hour session. 114 Oklahoma plants, animals and ecosystems showcase Oklahoma’s diverse regions and a digital-and-analogue scavenger hunt, designed for all ages, points visitors to unique features hidden throughout the fanciful forest world.
What you need to know before you go
- The FAMily Discover Center experience is included in the general admission. Timed-entry tickets ensure families can explore at their own pace.
- A FAM household membership is $125/year for four and includes unlimited admission, exclusive previews, camp discounts and dining perks.
- Visitors are encouraged to dress for play. Closed-toe shoes are required for all guests planning to climb. Shorts or pants are recommended.
- Some areas include darkness, ambient sounds and light changes.
- No food or drinks are allowed inside the center.
- Children 5 years and older may use the climbing structure without a chaperone; those under 5 must be accompanied.
- All guests must sign a waiver before entering.
- Timed entry slots are selected at checkout or upon arrival at the main ticketing desk.
- Parking is free for museum visitors. Bring your parking tickets inside the museum to be validated.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The FAMily Discovery Center is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesday. Museum gallery admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12. Discounts are available for students, seniors, military, educators and first responders. Plan your visit at familydiscoverycenter.org.
