Fun for Kids
EdVenture Children’s Museum

Previously known as The South Carolina Children’s Museum, EdVenture opened in The Market Common at 3601 Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on February 16, 2019. It features over 3,500 square feet of space and flight themed exhibits, educational programming, field trips, birthday parties, etc. It is the smallest in the EdVenture family, but packed with interactive, educational activities.
According to Heather Gray, general manager at The Market Common, “EdVenture is the perfect addition to The Market Common because it provides an exceptional atmosphere for learning and growth. The leaders of tomorrow are today’s children and through this partnership with EdVenture, we hope to provide a positive place where families can come and enjoy the day with literally something for everyone.”
Dedicated to creating new generations of lifelong learners through museum experiences, after-school programming and camps, EdVenture’s mission is to inspire children and the adults who care for them with the joy of learning. EdVenture has the largest children’s museum in the Southeast and has been listed among the nation’s top children’s museums since opening in 2003. “We simply cannot express how excited we are to bring this new exhibit to the community,” said Interim President & CEO of EdVenture, Lisa Hailey.
The new museum has been received well by the public. According to their Facebook post, “We have been open for almost two whole weeks now at our new location- and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the amount of support we have felt from the Myrtle Beach community-and the amount of kids we’ve been able to share our love of learning with! Be sure to come out to our new Market Common location and experience all the fun for yourself!”
MPerrino, an EdVenture patron said, “We had a great time today. The kids loved the space theme and Mom loves the inflatable planetarium the most!!! It’s brand new, in Market Common, you should definitely come out to see it. $8 all day.
EdVenture Myrtle Beach’s one-of-a-kind educational experience is specifically tailored towards introducing children to the thrilling fields of aviation and astronomy through hands-on exhibits incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, as well as aviation history and childhood skills development to nurture curiosity and spur interest in the aerospace careers that compose a significant percentage of the South Carolina workforce.
Exhibit concepts:
- Interactive space ship climbing structure
- Interactive “mission control” attached to above structure
- Child size “house” with 60’s style interior, looping TV of moon landing, telescope interactive to view
- moon, and landing sites (library)
- 3 years and under designated area with hands on interactives
- Maker’s “space” art area (airplane family tree courtesy of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics)
- Library to include child literature on flight, space, etc. (in partnership with Chapin Library)
- Beam- interactive floor projection
- Coin Vortex
- Airways tubes
- Flight Simulator (in conjunction with Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics)
- An actual airplane engine with educational content
- 2 model aircraft and real plan propeller
- Educational and interactive wall graphics (explained below)
- Graphic timeline of Myrtle Beach Airport founding and construction (courtesy of the MBA)
Detailed exhibit concept/ STEM information:
Exhibits introduce children to the forces of flight—lift, gravity, thrust, and drag—through all exhibits including literature in the library, wall graphics, interactive experimentation with paper planes in Maker’s “Space”, and much more.
- Children are able to develop movement skills in a motion-control projection unit as well as in an interactive climbing structure resembling a moon lander, and space ship with attached “mission control” where they enhance communication and teamwork abilities through remote contact with peers.
- A 1960s-style house replicates the era that bore the beginnings of space exploration, and inside kids experience the thrill of the moon landing through recorded footage of the historical event. The house comes complete with a telescope through which guests can observe distant objects in the style of Galileo, Kepler, and modern-day astronomers.
- A three-screen flight simulator allows visitors to test their piloting skill and feel the sensation of controlling a modern passenger plane.
- Younger visitors (2 and under) have a designated area in which they can play safely with flight-themed elements as they develop skills critical to early childhood.
- A coin vortex “gravity well” introduces the concept of the centripetal force that holds our solar system together.
- The building’s considerable wall space is utilized with child-friendly and informative graphical content exploring everything from historical spacecraft, planets of the solar system, landmark missions and events that shaped our modern understanding of the universe, and even history of the airmen and aircraft that once lived and worked on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
- Partnerships with Chapin Library, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, and the Myrtle Beach Airport
Through these exhibits, EdVenture Myrtle Beach aims to provide a spectacular, cohesive, educational experience wherein visitors and members can obtain knowledge spanning the farthest reaches of the universe to the very ground beneath their feet. (EdVenture.org)
EdVenture welcomes field trips to their facility or they can bring their educational programming to your students through Ed-To-Go to help meet the educational needs of your students while sparking their imagination and sense of discovery. “EdVenture educators use inquiry, hands-on methods, and integration of content areas to ensure each SC standards-based program provides you and your students with an extraordinary learning experience.” (EdVenture.org)
EdVenture strives to make educational programming accessible for under resourced children and families, because they understand that even though many children visit their museum, there are thousands that will not have the same opportunity. That is why they have an initiative called “Yes, Every Child”.
“Yes, Every Child is an initiative to provide accessibility to educational programming for underserved children and families through targeted community outreach and reduced museum admission. These efforts are made possible by corporate sponsorships and individual contributions. Our vision to create the next generation of lifelong learners was developed with all children in mind. Regardless of cultural, ethnic, geographic or socio-economic barriers, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to participate in and grow from the unique educational experiences of EdVenture. With your support, we can make a difference in the lives of children most in need of a chance to experience the joy of learning.” (EdVenture.org)
How Yes, Every Child Helps:
- Families who receive SNAP, WIC or Medicaid benefits receive $1 admission per person.
- EdVenture-To-Go makes museum programs mobile for rural communities across the state.
- Educational material translation allows bi-lingual educators to take the EdVenture experience to Hispanic and Latino communities.
- A variety of health programs address wellness disparities among low-income families.
- Community Events.
- Community-wide health and wellness events, such as Eddie’s Block Party, are offered free to the public.
- Support for participation in area community festivals connects EdVenture to families in the community.
- Provide reduced or free admission for underserved families to attend special literacy, health, or school readiness events, such as StoryBook Ball and Countdown to Kindergarten.
EdVenture Myrtle Beach is an exciting new concept in learning merging with Children’s Museum of South Carolina. Make it a family outing and take your whole family to see the EdVenture exhibits and learn about the marvels of space travel first hand.
