Explore NYC’s Children’s Museums for Free

1. Free Admission to Children’s Museums in NYC

The cost of admission at New York City’s fantastic children’s museums can be very frustrating. In most cases, you have to pay for every family member, and the short attention span of young children often means you’ll only spend an hour or two visiting the museum. However, with a little planning, you can avoid high admission fees by checking out this list of free admission days and times. Do consider making a donation when you visit, as maintaining these great museums can be costly.

2. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Admission is free on Thursdays during certain hours at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Young kids will love playing in the pizza store, visiting the garden, and exploring all the other interactive exhibits.

3. Children’s Museum of Manhattan

First Free Fridays offer free admission to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on the first Friday of the month during specific hours. This Upper West Side museum is a great destination for families with preschool and elementary school age kids, featuring lots of hands-on exhibits, including one dedicated to Diego & Dora, as well as changing special exhibits.

4. DiMenna Children’s History Museum

Admission at the DiMenna Children’s History Museum is pay-what-you-wish on Friday evenings. Situated on the lower level of the New-York Historical Society, the museum explores the history of New York through the stories of children who have lived here, offering interactive exhibits, games, and displays that present New York’s history in an engaging manner.

5. New York Hall of Science

From September through June, free admission to the New York Hall of Science (located in Flushing, Queens) is offered on Friday afternoons and on Sunday mornings during specific hours. This museum has wonderful interactive exhibits suitable for toddlers to young teens, including a special space designated for preschoolers.

6. Children’s Museum of the Arts

You can “pay what you wish” at the CMA on Thursdays during specific hours. A kid-friendly gallery space with many hands-on crafts and even a ball pit will delight visitors of all ages, with programming focused on kids aged 10 months to 15 years.

7. Staten Island Children’s Museum

On Wednesdays, grandparents are admitted free to the Staten Island Children’s Museum. It’s a fun place where preschool and elementary school-aged kids can enjoy activities such as playing at a construction site, caring for animals at the vet, and climbing on a real fire truck.