Getting ready forthe Children's Museum of Phoenix.
Three floors of hands-on play in downtown Phoenix, a Pal Place with a video and digital guide, and a Special Night of Play: a private, sensory-conscious evening for children with autism and other needs and abilities, free with a reservation.
Sensory supports. Special Night of Play, Pal guide, Book Loft.
Hours
9 am to 4 pm daily through January 10, 2027, with a few exceptions: closed Thursday, November 26, 2026, for Thanksgiving. See the museum's calendar for details. Special Night of Play: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
“Pal Experiences and the Children’s Museum of Phoenix have partnered to create a custom Pal Video and digital, mobile-friendly Pal Guide to support visitors with autism, anxiety, and other learning differences.”
“Join us for Special Night of Play, a private, sensory-conscious family play experience at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, where children with autism and other needs and abilities can explore, play, and connect.”
“After adventuring in the Climber, the Book Loft is a great spot to take a break and cozy up for a good story.” Pal guide, palexperiences.org
The Pal video shows what to expect in the indoor exhibits. The Pal digital guide follows two kids through parking, the main entrance and a hand stamp, each floor, and time to go. Watch them together before you go.
The museum has enclosed spaces, such as The Climber and The Park tunnels. If your kid is unsure about The Climber, the Pal guide says they can check it out on the 3rd floor: take the elevator up and go left past the Noodle Forest.
Playologists are the museum's floor staff, in teal character shirts and khaki pants.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Children's Museum of Phoenix
Louder, in the museum's words
Busy exhibits (the museum says it is an active play area, and exhibits can become crowded and loud)not stated
Quieter, in the Pal guide's words
The Book Loft, third floorquiet zone
Admission is $19.00 per person; Seniors 62 and over $18.00; children under 1 and members free. Discount tickets, bought in person only: Military (with ID) $17.00; Police and Fire (with ID) $17.00; American Indian (with Tribal ID or CIB) $3.00; All Kids Play (with SNAP EBT card, up to 4 guests) $9.50; Educators (with school ID) free in June and July. The Every Child Program offers free or reduced admission to low-income or at-risk families by application.
Free First Friday Nights, 5 to 9 pm: December 4, 2026; none in January 2027; then February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7 and June 4, 2027.
Parking on site is free, but the lot may be full on busy days. Nearby paid garages (no validation): Civic Plaza East Garage (7th Street and Washington), Heritage Square (5th Street and Monroe) and Arizona Center (5th Street and Van Buren). The Pal guide says to enter the lot from Van Buren for covered and uncovered parking.
Food: eat packed lunches and snacks, or food from the Café on the 2nd floor, in the designated eating areas. All drinks need a container with a secure lid, and no alcohol is allowed. The Pal guide adds that hot drinks aren't allowed. Water bottle fillers are on all three floors.
Strollers are allowed, but the museum encourages leaving them in the car if you can; there is stroller parking on all three floors. All restrooms have changing tables, and the first-floor family restroom has an adult changing table.
Children must be with their parents or adult caregiver at all times.
Questions: call 602.253.0501 and press 5 for Visitor Services. To request a wheelchair, with advance notice, call 602.253.0501 and press 0.
