Kansas City museum draws 300,000 visitors

The Rabbit hOle in Kansas City, Missouri, has welcomed more than 300,000 visitors from all 50 states and international locations since opening in 2024. The museum features life-size exhibits based on children's books, aiming to reconnect families with literature as screen use rises among young readers.

The facility covers more than 40,000 square feet and contains roughly 45 displays. Exhibits recreate scenes from titles such as “Madeline,” “Frog and Toad,” and “Curious George.” Newer additions include “My Garden” and “I Want My Hat Back.” One display replicates the “great green room” from “Goodnight Moon,” complete with a moving moon, a fireplace, and an oversized rocking chair.

Founder Peter Cowdin and his wife, Deb Pettid, operated a bookstore for 28 years before launching the museum. Cowdin stated the concept had developed over several years, driven by a desire to celebrate the history and culture of books rather than their commercial value. He noted that the displays are constructed in-house at the museum's factory.

Federal data indicates a decline in voluntary reading among children. In the 1980s, more than half of 9-year-olds read for fun almost every day. The latest Nation’s Report Card data shows that figure has dropped to 37%. For 13-year-olds, only 14% regularly read for pleasure. Meanwhile, 65% of children ages 8 to 13 watch television daily and average 5.5 hours of screen time per day.

Visitors report that the physical nature of the exhibits engages children. Abbey Mecca, a mother of three, said reading is a fixed part of her household routine. She described the museum as a non-negotiable activity for her family. Idean Bindell, another parent, said the displays help her children understand the storytelling process beyond just holding a book.

Cowdin said the museum does not aim to force children away from devices, but he observes that kids rarely seek out phones or tablets while inside. He attributed this to the focus on joy rather than skill drilling. To keep costs low, Cowdin and Pettid negotiated free rights to use the books with authors or their estates. Admission is $16 per person, with free entry for children ages 2 and younger.

A 16-foot giant panda named Stillwater from the book “Zen Shorts” is one of the featured exhibits. The museum continues to draw visitors from countries including Italy, Sweden, and Singapore. Cowdin hopes the approach inspires other institutions to prioritize the pleasure of reading.