Kazakhstan Leads Region with First Children’s Science Museum in CIS

The work is steadily advancing on the creation of the first Children’s Science Museum in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), set to open in former Almaly Shopping Center in Kazakhstan’s Almaty.

The project aims to become a key educational and cultural hub for young minds, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

According to the Almaty Department for Public Spaces Development, the design and estimate documentation is currently in progress. Developed by Project City LLP, the documents are expected to be submitted for state review by the end of September 2025. The planning phase has already been completed, marking a significant milestone in the project timeline.

Construction and installation work is slated for completion by March 31, 2026. The museum’s grand opening is scheduled for June 1, 2026.

The initiative received strong backing from the city administration, with former mayor Yerbolat Dossayev announcing in 2024 that 12.2 billion tenge had been allocated from the city budget. Authorities confirmed the funding has been secured in line with existing procedures and noted that additional financial sources may be explored if required. However, no updates were provided on potential changes to the overall project cost.

Final approval of the implementation schedule will follow the completion of the state expert review.

The museum is being developed in collaboration with Science Museum Singapore, under a licensed intellectual property agreement with Global Pte Ltd. As part of the partnership, museum personnel will undergo training in Singapore, while experts from Singapore will visit Kazakhstan to support the launch and operations.

Designed to inspire curiosity and foster scientific thinking, the museum will feature both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Key permanent zones will include:

Science on the Silk Road - highlighting historical scientific achievements and discoveries along the Silk Road,

Invention and Innovation - focused on engineering, earth sciences, and biomedicine, and

Space Station - dedicated to astronomy and space exploration.

Interactive play zones, modeled after Singapore’s KIDSSTOP concept, will offer hands-on experience for children, while temporary areas will host rotating exhibitions, science shows, laboratories, and classrooms for immersive learning.

The Children’s Science Museum is part of a broader push to enhance Almaty’s cultural and educational landscape. Earlier this year, the city also celebrated the opening of a new contemporary art museum.