
Brooklyn Children's Museum
World's first children's museum offering 30,000+ objects & hands-on exhibits for ages 6 months to 10 years.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Free admission, but can be crowded

Brooklyn Children's Museum
Best Time
Free admission, but can be crowded

Highlights
Must-see attractions
World's first children's museum offering 30,000+ objects & hands-on exhibits for ages 6 months to 10 years.
"An awesome experience for my 4 year old - he didn’t want to leave."

🎯 Free Thursday Tickets
Book free Thursday tickets online the day of! They go fast.
👟 Sensory Play Ready
Bring clothes that can get wet or sandy for the water and sand play areas.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

World Brooklyn
Exhibition Hall
Explore diverse cultures and environments, from a pizzeria to a Japanese tea house. Interactive and educational!

Water Table & Sand Pit
Sensory Play Area
A perennial favorite for little ones, offering hands-on fun with water and sand. Perfect for sensory exploration.

Construction Zone
Interactive Play Area
Kids can engage with building blocks, vacuum pipes, and other construction-themed activities. Great for active play.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Free Thursdays: Plan Your Visit
Exhibit Updates & Wear
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Thursday Tickets
Book free Thursday tickets online the day of! They go fast.
👟 Sensory Play Ready
Bring clothes that can get wet or sandy for the water and sand play areas.
🚗 Parking Challenges
Street parking can be tough. Consider public transport or rideshare.
👶 Toddler-Friendly Fun
Great for toddlers with sensory and gross motor activities.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Thursday Tickets
Book free Thursday tickets online the day of! They go fast.
👟 Sensory Play Ready
Bring clothes that can get wet or sandy for the water and sand play areas.
🚗 Parking Challenges
Street parking can be tough. Consider public transport or rideshare.
👶 Toddler-Friendly Fun
Great for toddlers with sensory and gross motor activities.
📱 Check Exhibit Status
Some rooms may be closed for updates. Check their website or call ahead.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Brooklyn Children's Museum for its engaging, hands-on exhibits that captivate children for hours, especially the popular water table and 'World Brooklyn' area. It's a great spot for sensory play and imaginative exploration. However, many reviews mention that some exhibits are showing significant wear and tear and could benefit from updates and cleaning.
"Spent the day at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and honestly, I loved it! 🧡 It’s such a wonderful place where kids can explore, learn, and play at the same time. They can pretend to be a pizzaiolo 🍕, shop at a mini grocery store 🛒, or dive into exhibits about Chinese, Caribbean, and African cultures 🌍. There’s even a water play area, a pretend subway station, 🚇, they can draw, and a photo booth to take home a fun memory 📸.
Highly recommend it, it’s creative, educational, and my kid had the best time! ✨"
NYC Bestplaces
"What a lovely place for my little 3 year old cousins birthday! The staff was so helpful and friendly and couldnt be more accommodating and patient. Beyond the staff the facility is fantastic especially for young children. Plenty of room to run and everything is hands on and on limits! Highly recomend it for a party or just to visit for the afternoon. You and your kids will definitely have a great memory."
Mark Kenny
"An awesome experience for my 4 year old - he didn’t want to leave. There’s so much to do, and the layout is both easy to traverse and expansive enough that it felt like an enormous warehouse of fun for him.
It’s definitely time for some updates, and I hope they get some funding help. Some of the exhibits are showing wear and tear from when my older kid came here 8 years ago."
Mattie Berger
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is accessible via public transportation. The nearest subway stations are the Utica Ave (A, C) and President St (2, 5) lines. Parking can be challenging in the area, so using public transit is often recommended.
Street parking is available but can be limited and competitive. Some visitors suggest using rideshare services or public transport due to parking difficulties.
For families with young children, the subway is a convenient option. Consider a stroller or carrier for easier navigation within the museum and on public transport.
While there aren't specific transportation discounts, the museum offers free admission on Thursdays, which can help offset overall costs for a family outing.
Yes, strollers are generally allowed inside the museum. However, some areas might be more easily navigated without one, especially during peak times.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
General admission is $15 per person. However, the museum offers free admission every Thursday from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Free Thursday tickets must be reserved online on the day of your visit through the Brooklyn Children's Museum website. They are released on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes, the museum offers free admission for individuals with Medicaid. Check their website for any other potential community partnerships or discounts.
Operating hours vary, but typically the museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM on most days. Thursday free hours are from 2 PM to 5 PM. It's always best to check their official website for the most current hours.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, but it's highly recommended to book online in advance, especially for free Thursday admission, as tickets can sell out quickly.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum is ideal for children aged 6 months to 10 years, with many interactive exhibits catering to toddlers and preschoolers.
Popular exhibits include the 'World Brooklyn' cultural displays, the water table, sand pit, and the construction zone. The 'Pizzeria' and 'Town' areas are also well-loved.
Yes, the museum has dedicated areas for infants and toddlers, including sensory play zones and age-appropriate interactive elements.
The museum is committed to inclusion and offers a customized approach to employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Exhibits are designed to be accessible and engaging for all children.
Absolutely! The museum's design encourages parents to get involved. You can either observe from designated seating areas or join in the fun with your children.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, a new cafe, JeTaime Patisserie, is set to open inside the museum in October 2025, offering a custom menu.
While specific policies can change, it's generally advisable to check the museum's guidelines. Some museums allow outside snacks for children, especially during long visits.
The museum is located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, which has numerous local eateries and cafes offering a variety of cuisines. You can find options for quick bites or sit-down meals nearby.
The new JeTaime Patisserie cafe will feature a custom menu specifically designed for the museum location.
It's a good idea to ensure children are well-fed before arriving, especially if visiting during peak times or free Thursday hours, to maximize playtime.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, personal photography and videography are generally permitted for non-commercial use. However, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid flash photography in sensitive areas.
The 'World Brooklyn' exhibit offers diverse backdrops. The interactive play areas, especially the water table and construction zone, can also make for fun, candid shots.
Visitors often share photos of their children engaged in play, interacting with exhibits, and enjoying the sensory experiences.
While personal photos are allowed, professional photography or filming for commercial purposes usually requires prior permission from the museum.
Focus on capturing candid moments of your child's engagement and discovery. Wide shots of the exhibits can also showcase the museum's scale and variety.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Young Children
Consider visiting on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds, or take advantage of the free Thursday afternoons if you can manage the busier environment. While some exhibits might be showing wear, the core play experiences are still incredibly fun and engaging for this age group.
💰 Budget-Conscious Visitors
Beyond free Thursdays, look into potential discounts or free admission for those with Medicaid. Even with paid admission, the hours of interactive play and learning offer great value for the cost, making it an affordable outing for families looking to explore NYC.
Autistic Children & Sensory Seekers
While the museum is generally accommodating, it's always a good idea to check for any specific sensory-friendly programming or quiet times if available. The interactive nature of most exhibits means there's plenty to keep children engaged without relying solely on imaginative scenarios.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Legacy of Play: The Brooklyn Children's Museum
The museum houses a collection of over 30,000 objects, ranging from cultural artifacts to natural history specimens. These are not just for display; they form the basis of many of the museum's engaging exhibits. The focus is always on hands-on learning, allowing children to touch, explore, and experiment in a safe and stimulating environment. This approach has made it a beloved fixture in Brooklyn for generations.
Despite its historical significance, the museum is not resting on its laurels. It continues to innovate, with plans for new cafes and ongoing efforts to update its exhibits. This commitment to growth ensures that the Brooklyn Children's Museum remains a relevant and exciting destination for families seeking educational fun.
Navigating Exhibits: What to Expect
For those who love tactile experiences, the water table and sand pit are perennial favorites, providing hours of sensory fun. These areas are perfect for toddlers and younger children who enjoy hands-on exploration. The construction zone is another hit, featuring elements like building blocks and vacuum pipes that encourage active play and problem-solving.
While many exhibits are well-loved, some visitors note that certain areas show signs of wear and tear, indicating a need for updates. Despite this, the core interactive elements remain engaging, and the museum's layout is designed for easy navigation, allowing children to move freely between different play zones.
Community and Inclusion at BCM
Notably, the museum has been involved in initiatives like capturing stories for modules on customized employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities, highlighting their dedication to broader community support. They also offer free admission for individuals with Medicaid, making the museum's educational resources more accessible to a wider range of families.
Furthermore, the museum hosts various events and author visits, such as those during Women's Month, which celebrate diverse voices and encourage community engagement. These events enrich the visitor experience and reinforce the museum's role as a community hub.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit