ZOOM Kindermuseum

About the museum

ZOOM was founded in 1994 on the private initiative of Claudia Haas as Austria's first children's museum, opening with an exhibition centered on Picasso. In its first years it used rooms in the former Messepalast; since autumn 2001 it has had its permanent home in Hof 2 of the newly designed MuseumsQuartier. It is still run by a non-profit association.

Under Elisabeth Menasse-Wiesbauer, who led the museum from 2003 to 2019, the program steadily grew, including children's lectures with scientists. Since December 2019 Andrea Zsutty has headed the museum, which has carried the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality since 2014. More than two million people have visited ZOOM since it was founded.

Across roughly 1,600 square meters there are four areas for different age groups: the hands-on exhibition for six- to twelve-year-olds, which is redesigned every year; the ZOOM Ozean play and experience area for the youngest children; the art studio for creative work; and the animation studio as a media lab for eight- to fourteen-year-olds. All activities are accompanied by educators and begin at fixed times. A special feature is the purely digital collection built up since 2001, which consists of animated films and sounds that children produce themselves in the workshops. With the ZOOM Mobil, workshops also come to children around the city.

Highlights

• Hands-on exhibition for children aged 6 to 12, changed every year
• ZOOM Ozean: play world with a ship, slide and submarine for children under 6
• Animation studio where children produce their own films and sounds
• Art studio for workshops with changing materials and techniques
• Digital collection of animated films made by children

Permanent exhibition

• ZOOM Ozean – Play and experience space on two levels for children up to 6 years old, with an underwater world, the steamer "Famosa", a wave slide and a submarine for exploring.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Verein ZOOM Kindermuseum

Director

Andrea Zsutty

Admission & discounts

Prices apply per person and per program (hands-on exhibition, art studio and animation studio, €8.50 each). With the culture pass "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur", admission is free for one child and one accompanying adult. Tickets are available online ten days in advance and must be redeemed at the ticket counter up to 15 minutes before the start; day tickets at the counter are subject to availability. Purchased tickets cannot be canceled or rebooked. Reduced prices for online purchases must be shown at the ticket counter.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access through the main entrance to all areas (passages 180 cm wide), accessible restroom (door 92 cm). The upper floor of the toddler area can be reached by elevator; the animation studio has a stair lift. Four accessible parking spaces on the MQ grounds, free loaner wheelchairs at MQ Point. Certified assistance dogs are allowed; individual solutions are found for children with disabilities in all areas.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

The whole house is designed for children up to age 14: ZOOM Ozean for ages 8 months to 6 years, hands-on exhibition for ages 6 to 12, art studio for ages 3 to 12, and animation studio for ages 8 to 14. Sibling appointments allow visits together across age limits. Weekend and holiday workshops; a discovery tour to download accompanies the current exhibition. Children's birthday parties are not offered, but from age 8 an exclusive animation workshop ("Besonderstag") for up to 14 children can be booked. In the Ozean, non-slip socks are recommended.

Getting there & parking

Entrance in the MuseumsQuartier, Hof 2. Bicycle racks in the Fürstenhof of the MQ.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Shop in the foyer with toys, children's books and gift vouchers during ticket counter hours. Free lockable lockers for coats and bags.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

ZOOM Forum (119 m², up to 80 people) with barrel vault, arched windows, a separate entrance and extendable wooden seating steps; for press conferences, presentations, seminars and anniversaries of companies, institutions and associations. Private parties and children's birthday parties are not possible.

Plan your visit