Getting ready forthe Staten Island Children's Museum.
A hands-on children's museum on the grounds of Snug Harbor with a Sensory Space on the lower C Level by Block Harbor, a picture guide for kids made for kids with sensory needs that names the loud exhibits and the quiet places, and quieter weekday afternoons after 1 pm.
Sensory supports. Sensory Space, picture guide for kids.
Hours
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Members Only Hour: Wednesday to Friday, 9 to 10 am (photo ID required). Weekend hours may instead be 10 am to 3 pm, with two timed entries and a short cleaning break, so call (718) 273-2060 if you're planning a weekend afternoon. Always closed on New Year's Day, Easter Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov 26 2026) and Christmas Day. The Snack Zone Cafe is open 11 am to 1 pm, Wednesday to Friday.
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Staten Island, NY 10301 (on the grounds of Snug Harbor)
“This space is designed to provide a peaceful place of respite for young visitors who may need some time to recharge during their museum visit. Located on the lower C Level by the Block Harbor exhibit, the sensory space features a carefully curated assortment of sensory tools and elements.” sichildrensmuseum.org (Sensory Space)
“Created specifically for children with sensory issues, this annotated guide is a fun way for the entire family to familiarize themselves with the Museum’s exhibits, sounds, and quiet areas.” sichildrensmuseum.org
“If it is too loud and I need a quiet place to sit on a sunny day, I can sit outside on the Garden Terrace or at a picnic table under the tent on the Meadow.”
“If I am feeling uncomfortable for any reason and need a quiet place to relax, my grownup can ask for a private place where we can sit and rest until I feel better.”
“Weekday afternoons after 1:00 pm are quieter than mornings because camps and school groups visit in the mornings.” sichildrensmuseum.org (FAQ)
The Sensory Space has a plush bean bag chair, textured mats on the wall to touch, soothing sounds, calming strategies, weighted lap toys and a bubble wall that keeps changing.
The museum's rules for kids: stay with your grown-up, walk instead of run, and put toys back when you're done. The museum doesn't let children in without adults, or adults in without children.
A Sensory Space on the lower C Level by Block Harbor, a peaceful place for kids who need time to recharge, with a bean bag chair, textured wall mats, soothing sounds, weighted lap toys and a bubble wall.
A picture guide, "I am going to the Staten Island Children's Museum!", made for kids with sensory needs: it names the loud exhibits, the quiet places, and says a grown-up can ask for a private place to sit and rest.
Weekday afternoons after 1 pm are quieter than mornings, when camps and school groups visit.
Ladder 11 fire truck (the siren sometimes makes loud sounds)not stated
Block Harbor pirate ship bell (LOUD, and ringing it is optional)not stated
Portia's Playhouse sound board (some sounds are loud, like an audience clapping and cheering)not stated
Sea of Boats (outdoors) (foghorns and a buoy bell; it can get a little loud)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
Sensory Space, lower C Level by Block Harborquiet zone
Garden Terrace, outside Big Gamesquiet zone
Picnic tables under the tent on the Meadowquiet zone
Green Living Roomquiet zone
Judy's Book Nook at Block Harborquiet zone
Tickets: adults $10, children $10, children under 1 free, members free. Reserve tickets in advance to make sure you get in; check-in is contact-less, so have your tickets printed or on your phone. All tickets are non-refundable; if you bought ahead and get sick, the museum honors them once you've recovered (to reschedule, email donorservices@sichildrensmuseum.org or call (718) 273-2060 ext. 154, Monday to Friday). Tickets aren't refunded if a visitor is asked to leave for not following the Guidelines for Visiting.
Free and reduced routes: free admission for the personal care assistant of a visitor with a disability. Free or discounted tickets for the museum's Corporate Members, Cool Culture families, adult NY resident EBT/SNAP card holders (with NY photo ID), active military, and members of museums in the ACM and ASTC reciprocity programs; for these, come to the museum in person with photo ID and the card, and the museum gives you access for that day (it holds a block of tickets for partners). Groups of 10 or more book through the reservations office.
Food and drinks: food can be eaten in designated Snack Spots, and there are picnic tables outside. Non-alcoholic drinks in sealed, non-disposable containers are allowed in the exhibits. There are no water fountains, but there are bottle refill stations on the Lower Level near the Community Gallery and on the C Level near Block Harbor. Vending machines are on the Lower Level. Nursing is welcome anywhere, and there's a nursing booth in the gallery.
Restrooms: on the C Level near Block Harbor, on the 2nd Level near the Walk-In! Workshop, and on the Lower Level between the Snack Zone and the Gallery.
Exhibits: Ladder 11 (a real 1941 fire truck with a pole to slide down), Block Harbor (a pirate ship and giant blocks, ages 0 to 5), Big Games, Portia's Playhouse (a stage with costumes and a puppet theater), Bugs & Other Arthropods (live bees and a crawl-through ant hill), House About It, Pets & People, Explore Staten Island, the Garden Terrace and the outdoor Sea of Boats, where water activities are seasonal. Parts of Great Explorations, Block Harbor and Portia's Playhouse aren't wheelchair accessible but have parallel activities.
Getting there: park in the East Parking Lot, through the Fillmore Street Gate off Tysen Street, on the immediate left inside the Snug Harbor campus; construction can close some campus roads without notice. By transit, take the Staten Island Ferry, then the S40 bus from the St. George Ferry Terminal to the Snug Harbor Road stop (5 to 10 minutes).
Help: tell any staff member if first aid is needed. In an emergency, call (718) 273-2060 and dial 0 for the Admissions desk. The museum is not responsible for personal belongings.
