Facilities Rental

The Children's Museum can become your very own through our facility rental program. Whether it is a corporate meeting, holiday party, special family event, or wedding, you may wish to rent a classroom, the Gengras Planetarium or the entire Children's Museum (up to 300 people!) at very reasonable prices.

Planetarium Rental

Have the entire universe at your disposal in Connecticut's largest space theatre. You'll get:

• A planetarium show of your choice. Choose from a library of over 30 planetarium shows covering all age ranges with a variety of topics and music
• An interactive live tour of the night sky by one of our professional astronomy educators
• Use of the theater's multimedia systems for presentations. Systems include: LCD & BARCO projectors, slide carousels, 40 foot dome projection area, VCR, DVD, BETACAM, LaserDisc, PowerPoint, microphone, CD & tape player, 8 speaker sound system
• Star Station One Gallery for hors d'oeuvres and beverages

Capacity = 149 guests

Planetarium and Idea Zone Rental

This is perfect if you would like to have the Planetarium, but need space for a cocktail reception, dessert reception, or a sit-down dinner. You get all the options of a Planetarium Rental, plus the use of our entire lower exhibit hall, Idea Zone, and the Mezzanine Level.

• There is plenty of space for a buffet table, and seating space for up to 50 guests (Round dinner tables and chairs rented separately).
• Blast soap bubbles, learn about gears and motion, or time the speed of your own gravity-powered car made out of LEGO® bricks on the LEGO Racetrack!
• Have you ever wanted to be a meteorologist? Come forecast the weather in the World Weather Window. Report on hurricanes, tornadoes, or predict a beautiful day.
• You won't want to miss the Walk-In Kaleidoscope or any of the other exciting activities waiting for you in the Idea Zone!
• Star Station One Gallery for hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

Capacity = 149 guests

Full Facility Rental

• Enjoy access to all three levels of the Children's Museum for up to 4 hours. This includes access to all hands-on exhibition areas, including our featured national traveling exhibit, the Wildlife Sanctuary, Idea Zone, KIDS' Factory, and Critter Crossing, our newest exhibit areas for infants and toddler, coming in April 2007.
• Utilize all three classrooms and outdoor courtyard, both adjacent to the featured traveling exhibit.
• Select two planetarium shows of your choice. Shows in Connecticut's largest space theatre - the Gengras Planetarium.

Capacity = 400 guests

Additional Options

• Special demonstrations can be presented by a skilled member of our staff for only $50 more per hour : Live Animal Demonstrations Science Experiments, and Telescope Activities for Celestial Viewing
• Explore Store can be open for your convenience, and customized gift bags are available for your guests.
• Other rental options are available. You can customize the length and type of rental.
• Custom presentations can be created for the planetarium.
  Tables and chairs can be made available.

Rental Pricing

Deposits and Payments

Upon booking the rental a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of half the total rental cost is due within 14 days with a signed copy of the rental agreement. The remaining balance is due 10 days prior to the date of the rental. There are no refunds if cancellation is made within 10 days of the event.
Catering clients who are renting the Children's Museum may utilize any caterer of their choosing provided the caterer works within the facilities' required policies and procedures. Your event coordinator can recommend caterers that have worked with the Children's Museum's spaces and have provided for successful events here at the Center in the past. Alcoholic beverages may be served with proper licensing, providing your function is not during The Children's Museum’s public admitting hours.

For further information please email regassist@thechildrensmuseumct.org or call (860)231-2830 x27.