(updated 06.30.22)
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Visitation
What are your new hours? Currently, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. General Admission is available for purchase in person on the date of your visit. Ask us about gift admission!
Are you participating in CT Summer at the Museum? Yes, we are participating. Tickets for the free kids’ admission program MUST be reserved online, NO EXCEPTIONS. Please note, that quantity is limited and we may ‘sell out.’ If you are more than an hour late to your scheduled free ticket time we have the right to reissue your free tickets. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you will need to sign up again for a new date or time online. Museum staff will NOT be rescheduling any free tickets. Planetarium shows are not included with free admission and can be purchased for $3 per person at our front desk. Also, note the CT Summer at the Museum program allows for only ONE free adult. A valid CT ID is required upon check-in at the museum. If you do not have a valid (ie non expired) CT ID you will be asked to pay full admission for all in your party.
What time should I check in? If you have reserved tickets online, please check in within the first hour of your scheduled ticket time. If you are going to be late, please call. We reserve the right to cancel free tickets after the first hour. Please do not arrive before your scheduled visit time. Your visit length is not limited. You may stay as long as you like until we close.
Why do you cancel tickets? The Children’s Museum wants to give all Connecticut residents the opportunity to visit the museum this summer and availability is limited! This policy will allow us to open space for more families to enjoy the museum!
What is the cost for non-members? General admission for non-members is $15 for adults, seniors, and children (ages two and up). Children under the age of 2 are free.
Are coupons, library passes, or reciprocal memberships accepted? Family Four Packs, Be Our Guest Admission, and Membership Guest Passes are redeemable. Guest pass and coupon recipients please call 860.231.2824 to see if your pass or coupon is valid before visiting. Library pass holders and reciprocal members (ASTC, ACM) will sign up upon arrival to the museum and must bring a library pass or their reciprocal membership card and a valid photo ID. For more info visit ASTC: https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/ ACM: https://findachildrensmuseum.org/reciprocal-network/
Which exhibits are open? Butterflies Winged-Wonders, Amazing Amphibians, Wildlife Sanctuary, Dinosaurs in Your Backyard, Lizard Lair, Conny the Whale, Kids Can Compost, Early Childhood Learning Lab, Imagination Playground (outdoors, weather permitting), Critter Crossing (4 years and under)
Is the Planetarium open? The planetarium is open this summer on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with shows scheduled for 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Planetarium (PLT) shows are free with PAID admissions and for Children’s Museum Group members. For all others, including ASTC and ACM reciprocal members, the tickets are $3 per person. Library Members will receive one free PLT ticket with each paid admission and will pay $3 for any person admitted for free with their library pass. Show tickets are reserved or purchased upon check-in at the museum and are limited. Please see the website for the latest schedule but note the times and shows are subject to change.
How much time should I allow for a visit? We have seen visits last from 1 hour to 6! Your visit is not limited and you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Visit time is dependent on your engagement level. But please allow at least 1-2 hours to experience all we have to offer.
Can adults visit without children? Even though we are The Children’s Museum, we understand adults may be interested in seeing our animals or planetarium shows. Upon Check-in, adults visiting without children will be asked for a photo ID and will review our policy in more detail with Visitor Services staff before exploring the museum.
Are masks required? As of March 1, 2022 face masks are not required. However, The Children’s Museum group still strongly recommends and encourages all students, visitors, and employees to continue wearing masks to support the highest level of safety, even with this new policy in place. Our staff will continue to encourage and maintain ample distancing during programs and activities. To maximize the safety and health of our employees, animal demonstrations and other hands-on activities that require close contact with our staff may be limited or reduced. We require frequent hand-washing/sanitizing for all staff, and encourage guests to do the same. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to reinstate masking requirements at any time if the level of positive COVID test results within our employees or student population increases, or the risk of exposure to COVID transmission poses a high risk to our employees, our visitors, and our continued business operations.
How are you maintaining a safe environment? Cleaning schedules and procedures have been heightened and will be done throughout the day. Some of these measures include reducing our capacity in certain areas (eg the planetarium), encouraging mask-wearing and distancing from those not in your party. Staff members perform a health check starting each shift to ensure they are not sick. If you feel sick or have a recent known exposure to COVID-19, please reschedule your visit.
Can I bring a stroller? No. Because of space and safety concerns, strollers are not allowed in the museum. We are also an older building that has been grandfathered into accessibility laws and we have a number of stairs.
Is food allowed? There are no vending machines or indoor eating areas. You are welcome to bring a snack and eat it in the courtyard, at the picnic tables, weather permitting. Proper social distancing must be maintained. You are required to distance yourself and your family at least six feet away from another family while in the picnic table area. There is no re-entry into the museum so if you have a snack please bring it with you when you arrive.
Is water provided? Water is available in our Gift Shop for $1.00 per bottle.
Is the gift shop open? Currently, our gift shop is open and accessible in our front lobby area.
What time are animal demos? Animal demonstrations are regularly scheduled; please see the front desk upon check-in as times may be subject to change.
Are you on Facebook? We are! Please follow our Facebook page for current information about special museum days, planetarium show schedules, and all the latest news about the museum and our residents!
CT Summer at the Museum 2022
Are you participating in CT Summer at the Museum? Yes, we are participating. Tickets for the free kids’ admission program MUST be reserved online, NO EXCEPTIONS.
What is CT Summer at the Museum? Connecticut residents with a valid state address will receive FREE admission from JULY 1 – SEPT 5, 2022. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VALID CT STATE ADDRESS WHEN YOU CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR ADMISSION. FREE CT Adult tickets are limited to ONE (1) free ticket. Additional adult tickets will be purchased in person upon check-in at the museum.
When can I visit with a Free ticket? CT Summer at the museum ticket holders may visit Monday – Friday 10:30 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Do I need to register for the site? Yes! you must Create an Account and register for the site in order to get FREE CT admission.
Further instructions on how to register can be found here.
How many tickets are available? Please note, that quantity is limited and we may ‘sell out.’ If you are more than an hour late to your scheduled free ticket time we have the right to reissue your free tickets. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you will need to sign up again for a new date or time online. Museum staff will NOT be rescheduling any free tickets.
Are Planetarium Shows included? Planetarium shows are not included with free admission and can be purchased for $3 per person at our front desk.
Do I need an ID? A valid CT ID is required upon check-in at the museum. If you do not have a valid (ie non expired) CT ID you will be asked to pay full admission for all in your party.
Do children need tickets? Yes, everyone in your party needs a timed ticket, infants should be registered as a FREE child.
Do I have to print my tickets? You do not need to print your tickets but please have the email with the ‘printable’ timed tickets available to be scanned on your mobile device prior to arriving at the front desk. If you are not able to access your email on your mobile device, please print your tickets.
Registering for an Account
Why should I register for an account? If you are a Connecticut resident, registering is required to receive your discount when reserving free tickets. Members need to register to receive their membership benefits online. For non-members, registering will simplify the process for your next visit, camp sign-up, program registrations, and making donations online.
How do I register? Click here for instructions on how to register.
What are the password requirements? There are no password requirements to register for the site. We suggest you use something that will be easy for you to remember.
What happens if I forget my password? If you forget your password, click ‘sign in’ on the top of any ticketing, programming, or donation purchase page (these pages will start with the URL ‘blackbaud.com’). At the bottom of the sign-in popup box click ‘Forgot your password?’ You will be instructed on how to reset your password.
Members
Do members need a ticket? Yes, everyone needs a ticket. If we are open for operation, please come to the museum when you are ready to visit!
How do I use my guest passes? Please call a sales associate today! Guest passes will be redeemed in person on the day of your visit. Please call 860.231.2824 to talk to an associate. Bring your green guest pass on the day of your visit.
What do I need to bring on my visit? Masks for all guests in your party over two years old, your membership card, and your photo ID. You may wish to bring a water bottle since our fountains have been shut off. Water is available for purchase in our gift shop. Library members must bring a valid library pass and their photo ID. Reciprocal members must bring their participating museum’s valid membership card and their photo ID. Free ticket holders must bring their photo ID and e-tickets.
Are reciprocal memberships accepted? Yes, we accept ACM/ASTC reciprocal memberships. Be sure to bring your card when you check in for your visit. Note: ASTC’s 90-mile rule still applies. You must travel outside a 90-mile radius ‘as the crow flies’ from your museum to be able to use the ASTC reciprocal program.
If you have more questions, please email info@thechildrensmuseumct.org or call 860.231.2824
