The Amazeum held a “topping out” ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 6, recognizing the placement of the final steel beam in its new expansion.

It was around this time last year that the children’s museum, which opened in 2015, first announced its expansion plans.

In all, 11,850 square feet of indoor space will be added, with outdoor areas accounting for another roughly 23,000 square feet. Construction on the indoor portions could be completed near the end of this year, with the outdoor spaces to follow.

A $10.35 million gift from the Lee Scott family will support the expansion efforts. The family has been a major supporter of the museum. While “Amazeum” is commonly used, the museum’s formal name is the Scott Family Amazeum in recognition of contributions to date.

Additional support for the project has come from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Nabholz, the Walmart Foundation, and the Arvest Foundation.

The expansion includes several new spaces:

The Hangout is envisioned as a “home base” for trips to the Amazeum, featuring a café serving food and drinks, breakout rooms for community use, and a large outdoor patio.

The Early Learning Advancement Center will be a dedicated space for children ages 0 to 6 and their caregivers, featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibit areas. The center is also intended to serve as a hub for early learning educators, providing space for training and collaboration.

The Backyard will be an outdoor science playscape designed for children to explore and learn through nature. The space will include a variety of interactive areas and exhibits intended to encourage hands-on discovery, including climbing walls, mud pits, and building blocks.