The world's first children's museum, in Crown Heights: three floors of hands-on exhibits for ages 6 months to 10 years, Sensory Kits with headphones, feelings flash cards and fidget toys to borrow at the Admissions Desk, and a second-floor café the museum invites you to use when you need a break.
Sensory supports. Sensory Kits at the Admissions Desk.
Hours
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4:50 pm; no one is admitted after 4:50 pm). Closed Monday and Tuesday. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 26 2026. Community Access Thursdays: free every Thursday, 2 to 5 pm.
“Yes, Sensory Kits are available for loan upon request at the Admissions Desk. A Sensory Kit includes headphones, feelings flash cards, and fidget toys.”
“Need to take a break during your visit? Drop by our café on our second floor to catch your breath and grab a treat.” brooklynkids.org (Café)
“Brooklyn Children’s Museum exhibits offer boundless opportunities for sensory play and exploration that encourage children’s social, emotional and physical development.” brooklynkids.org (Exhibits)
AirMaze, in the Neighborhood Nature exhibit, is a 20-foot-tall pressurized air system with tubes, valves and blowers that sends balls and scarves zipping through; the museum calls it a sensory experience with movement, color and sound, and up to eight children can play at once.
Totally Tots is for children ages 0 to 6, with nine sensory play areas including water, sand, music, dress up and blocks. The NEST, a climbing playscape on the rooftop terrace, is open during museum hours, weather permitting.
Sensory Kits with headphones, feelings flash cards and fidget toys, lent on request at the Admissions Desk.
The second-floor café is where the museum invites families to take a break and catch their breath; families eat at the café or at the rooftop tables, never in the exhibits.
Admission is $15 per person, and free every Thursday from 2 to 5 pm (Community Access Thursdays); EBT/SNAP and Cool Culture cardholders get free or discounted tickets at the front desk.
Tickets: $15 per person, online or at the museum (online ahead is faster). For paid general admission the time on your ticket is a suggested arrival time. Members get free admission and discounted admission for their guests. Groups larger than 12 people can't buy general admission tickets; school and camp groups book ahead.
Free and reduced routes: Community Access Thursdays, free every Thursday from 2 to 5 pm (reserve online ahead or at the museum that day; those tickets are good only during those hours, and group visits are restricted then). Free or discounted general admission for partners: the Association of Children's Museums (ACM), the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), Cool Culture, Culture Pass, EBT/SNAP cardholders, healthcare workers, NYPD, FDNY, Blue Star Families, teachers, veterans, active military personnel and employees of corporate member businesses; come to the museum and show your partner ID (the museum holds a block of tickets for partners). EBT and Cool Culture tickets are picked up at the front desk and can't be booked online; Cool Culture needs the card and a matching photo ID. ASTC reciprocity is free for 2 adults and up to 2 children, and ACM reciprocity is 50 percent off for up to 6 people, with your membership card and a photo ID. IDNYC cardholders 18 and older get a free individual membership at the admissions desk if they haven't been a member in the last 5 years.
Refunds: tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges are subject to availability, and general admission tickets can generally be used on another date without rescheduling; free Thursday tickets are good only during those hours, and special event tickets may have other rules. If you're unsure, email hello@brooklynkids.org at least 48 hours before you come. If a visitor is asked to leave for not following the Safe Space Policy or Health and Safety Guidelines, there's no refund.
Who can come: children must be with a caregiver 16 or older at all times. Adults without children need an appointment ahead.
Food and drinks: eating isn't allowed in the exhibits; eat at the rooftop terrace tables or in the second-floor café, which sells drinks and snacks (kosher, gluten free and vegan options). Drinks in closed containers are welcome; open cups and bottles aren't. Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere, and there's a Mamava private breastfeeding station near the lobby restrooms.
Strollers and bags: the whole museum is stroller accessible, with limited stroller parking; the museum asks families to leave strollers home or park them so people who need the elevator can use it. Self-check lockers are for rent; bulky bags can't be checked. Lost and Found is in the lobby by the security desk.
Access and getting there: an elevator serves guests who can't climb stairs, all restrooms are ADA-accessible, and there are four all-gender restrooms on the second floor. There's no museum parking lot or garage; the museum suggests street parking.
Photos: the museum photographs and films programs; if you'd rather not be photographed, tell the photographer.
