Kidoodle Council

Kidoodle Council

Our Youth Advisory Board

Created with the belief of the strong image of the child and that children should have a voice in their learning experiences, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota leans on the expertise of a youth advisory board.

Kidoodle Council, a group for children ages 6-12, is an important piece in the museum’s mission to spark imagination and learning for all.

Among their duties, members of the Kidoodle Council are ambassadors for the museum in the community, generate ideas for programs and exhibits, and provide feedback to museum staff guiding direction in future operations.

Want to learn more?

Here are some of our frequently asked questions:

What is the application process?

The application process opens in October each year. Sign up for our email list or watch social media to be notified.

Space in the Kidoodle Council is limited. If accommodations for the application process or for involvement in the program are requested, please contact Mike at mmogard@prairieplay.org or 605-692-6700.

Who can participate?

Applicants must be 6-12 years old and commit to at least 8 of the 11 scheduled meetings throughout the year.

What is the time commitment?

Members of the Kidoodle Council meet 11 times throughout the year and will participate in 3 additional volunteer opportunities such as assisting at special events or writing book reviews.

Wait, who is Kidoodle?

Green Kidoodle logoDid you know that Kidoodle, the museum’s mascot, was born thanks to the imagination of children? Kidoodle’s name, colors, and fun personality are the direct result of the ideas of children.

The staff and board of the Children’s Museum of South Dakota are excited to embark on this intentional effort to lean on the talent and expertise of youth through Kidoodle Council.

What are some of the ways the council has helped the museum?

The council has helped plan and test exhibits such as Whiskers & Tails and our traveling exhibits like Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’.

They share their opinions about our museum gift shop, Play Central Toys & Books.

They create artwork that is displayed in our Maker Studio and in our executive director’s office.

They share book reviews. They help make fun videos for social media. They represent the museum in the community including the Brookings Bobcats Parade. And more!

Who is on this year’s Kidoodle Council?

Meet the faces behind the fun on our Meet the Museum Team page.

Children in yellow shirts, lined up, smiling at the camera.
2024 Kidoodle Council Members: AJ, Alaya, Eisley, Ella, Emery, Emma, Ethan, Jesse, Katie, Logan, Lyric, Maddie, Owen, Regan, Robert, Shiloh, Sydney, Wesley, and Whitley

Watch the videos below to see the work of previous Kidoodle Council members!