EverWonder Children’s Museum officially reopened to the public on April 4 for general admission, programs, field trips, birthday parties and summer camps.

Tamara Barry, executive director of the children’s museum on Pecks Lane, said the board of directors decided to reopen before the new space was fully renovated.

“With the high public demand, we decided to open with our current exhibits and some new ones, and make upgrades as we go forward,” she said.

Among the new exhibits featured in the museum is a special “Young Explorer’s Zone,” for ages 5 and under; and for children up to age 12, a flight lab for creating objects that hover in an air tunnel and a Tinker Lab.

Formed in 2011 by a group of parents whose purpose is to open and operate an interactive museum for children and families in northern Fairfield County, EverWonder provides hands-on learning activities and exhibits in the science, mathematics, arts, and technology fields that are customized to inspire ages 2 through 12.

The new space at 31 Pecks Lane is very close to the museum’s previous location, also on Pecks Lane, but at roughly 7,000 square feet, the new space is more than triple the size of the old.

The previous location, a standalone building called The EverWonder Experience, welcomed an estimated 6,000 visitors in the 18 months it was open, beginning in April 2013, and stayed closed during the autumn and winter so that volunteers could pack up and then move into the current location. EverWonder has a five year lease arrangement with the Tier One property management, which owns the property and building in which the museum and other businesses are situated at 31 Pecks Lane.closed in August 2014. Just less than half those guests were reportedly local, and others came from a wider area. The EverWonder Experience

Board members had hoped to welcome children and families into the new location by mid-February, but snow accumulation and water damage pushed that date first to March 21 and then April 4.

The museum’s reopening last weekend was due in large part to funds raised and grants met during a winter fundraising campaign. The recent effort raised $40,000, and the museum will receive $25,000 in matching funds from the Jeniam Foundation, along with the EverWonder board’s own match of $15,000.

EverWonder is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and serves families in a 20-mile radius.

Prior to reopening this past weekend, the museum held a sneak preview event for members and invited guests on April 1. Among the guests were State Representative Mitch Bolinksy and State Senator Tony Hwang.

“From the moment I stepped foot in EverWonder it was clear that the exciting buzz about Newtown’s growing children museum is well deserved,” Sen Hwang said. “Bright colors, cool exhibits that intrigue and inspire, and friendly faces of staff and the many volunteers make EverWonder a true community gem. I’m proud to support this wonderful organization and looking forward to watching them continue to flourish.”

A formal grand opening celebration is being planned for early June.

Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; and Sundays, noon to 5 pm.

Admission is $7 per person, all ages. The museum is located at 31 Pecks Lane in Newtown.

Information about upcoming events, memberships and the new facility are also available on the museum’s website, www.everwondermuseum.org or by emailing info@everwondermuseum.org.