Children’s Museum Houston’s new exhibit builds bridges through the power of friendship

Grand Opening, April 6, 2025

Supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

HOUSTON (April 2, 2025)– Friendship has the power to bring people together, no matter their background, beliefs, or traditions. Children’s Museum Houston’s latest exhibit, Faithful Friends, opens April6, 2025, inviting families to explore Houston’s rich religious and cultural diversity while discovering the universal values that connect us.

Faithful Friends takes a cultural studies approach to exploring religion and beliefs, recognizing it as a key part of many people's identity and culture. The exhibit creates an interactive space where you can explore faith traditions, diverse beliefs and celebrations through the real-life stories of Houston kids.

Rather than focusing solely on religious facts or doctrine, the exhibit highlights the lived religious experiences of Houston’s children—how their beliefs and values shape their daily lives, traditions, and interactions with the world around them. Faithful Friends promotes open, meaningful conversations about the important role our beliefs, behavior and sense of belonging play in our lives, encouraging children and families to explore both their own beliefs and those of others with curiosity and respect.

“Friendship is one of the most powerful tools we have for breaking down barriers,” said Christina McKee, Children’s Museum Houston educator and the exhibit’s developer. “Faithful Friends is designed to show kids and families that understanding and respect start with simple, meaningful connections.”

At a time when communities are seeking ways to come together, Faithful Friends offers a timely and engaging way for children and families to learn about different belief systems through the lens of friendship. By fostering open dialogue and understanding, the exhibit seeks to help people build bridges, practice empathy, and embrace the beauty of relationships among people of different backgrounds.

WHY FRIENDSHIP MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

In an increasingly fast-paced and digital world, true friendship remains essential for fostering understanding and connection. Faithful Friends was created to remind families that friendship is built on shared experiences, respect, and the willingness to learn from one another.

Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, home to a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions, and faiths. Yet, research conducted during the exhibit’s development revealed that conversations about religion and belief systems are often avoided in public discourse. At the same time, families overwhelmingly expressed a desire to introduce their children to different traditions in a way that feels natural and engaging—just like making a new friend!

The goal is simple: to help children develop the skills they need to form meaningful friendships—ones that extend beyond differences and create lasting bonds. Through play-based learning and interactive storytelling, Faithful Friends encourages the celebration of differences while recognizing the shared values that connect us all.

"At the heart of true connection is curiosity, kindness, and the power of shared experiences," said McKee. "Faithful Friends offers children the chance to meet someone new, hear their story, and discover that, no matter our differences, we share so much in common. It’s through these meaningful exchanges that we build understanding and celebrate what truly connects us all."

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FAITHFUL FRIENDS

• Discover Religious Diversity:  Step into an interactive world of faith traditions and celebrations, featuring real-life stories from Houston kids.‍
• Make New Friends: Engage in thought-provoking activities like Would You Rather?, Make a Friend, and Talk to Me, designed to inspire conversations, laughter, and deeper understanding among visitors.‍
• Express Yourself: Share your dreams for a better Houston at the Sharing Wishes installation, spin the Kindness Wheel to take action, and explore What Matters Most, a game that helps kids reflect on their values.‍
• Come to the Table:  Gather around a digital dining table to explore the cultural significance of food in different faiths, from Shabbat dinners to Eid celebrations, reinforcing the idea that meals—like friendships—bring people together.‍
• Visit a Sacred Space: Take a virtual tour of houses of worship across Houston, guided by local kids sharing their personal experiences of belonging, connection and community.
• ‍Big Book of Stories: Dive into the rich storytelling traditions of different faiths with tales that inspire kindness, courage, and friendship.‍
• Explore the Kaleidoscope Room: A dynamic space for hands-on activities, storytelling, and cultural programming, the Kaleidoscope Room invites you to engage in crafts, games, and rotating interactive experiences inspired by global traditions. Designed to spark curiosity and creativity, this space will host community partners, artists, and educators who bring faith-based and cultural storytelling to life. Families can explore a diverse collection of books and resources that encourage conversations about friendship, respect, and understanding.

Faithful Friends was developed with the guidance of an advisory board composed of faith leaders, educators, and community advocates.  By incorporating real stories from Houston children and insights from religious literacy experts, the exhibit ensures that diverse traditions are represented with authenticity and care.  The advisory board includes representatives from the following organizations:

National:

• Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding
• Sikh Coalition

Local:

• Interfaith Ministries
• Department of Religion, Rice University
• Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
• Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
• Boniuk Institute at Rice University
• Congregation Beth Israel
• Congregation Beth Yeshurun
• Clear Lake Islamic Center
• Gurdwara Sahib of Southwest Houston
• Hindus of Greater Houston
• ISKCON Houston
• Jain Society of Houston
• Minaret Foundation
• Mind Body Institute, Jung Center
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
• South Main Baptist Church
• Temple Sinai, West Houston
• Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
• Zoroastrian Association of Houston

With local contributions from:

• American Indian Center of Houston
• The Church of Jesus Christ, LDS
• The Jade Buddha Temple

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ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON

Winner of 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, winner of Good Housekeeping’s “Best Family Travel Award” three years in a row (2023 to 2025),voted “Houston’s Best Museum” in Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best Awards two years in a row (2023 and 2024), winner of Tripadvisor “2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards,” only American continent finalist in 2023 Hands On! Children in Museums International Award, listed among Forbes, LA Times and USA Today’s “Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.,” The Culture Trip’s “Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston” and one of “Houston’s Must-See Museums” by Travel Channel, Children’s Museum Houston is a Playground for Your Mind™.  It is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children.  Founded in 1980 and housed in a whimsical building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Robert Venturi, Children’s Museum Houston offers a multitude of innovative exhibits and bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. Celebrating 45 years of play, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138.  Can your mind come out to play?™

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ABOUT LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. The Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion.