New hands-on exhibit celebrates Staten Island’s wildlife, ecosystems and landmarks; November brings school-break camps and Con Edison STEM Science Weekend
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — October 27, 2026 — Children can climb a bridge inspired by the Verrazzano-Narrows, captain a replica Staten Island Ferry, build a seawall and race through a padded parkour course at Explore Staten Island, our newest exhibit, now open to the public.
Three years in development, the $1.4 million exhibit transforms our Barn Gallery, whose 2001 renovation doubled SICM’s footprint at Snug Harbor. The redesigned gallery offers improved sight lines and seating for parents and caregivers, along with a more interactive, cooperative play space for a new generation of young explorers.
Explore Staten Island asks what it means to live on an island: how people and living things move on, off and around it, and why green spaces and the shoreline matter as ecosystems. Children can build a seawall to hold back coastal flooding, create an oyster bed sculpture, and step into the role of park ranger, counting migrating animals and caring for Staten Island’s wildlife. At the train tables, they discover how people travel to and from the island. The parkour course, bridge climbers and ferry replica challenge children’s creative problem-solving and navigation skills while building gross and fine motor skills through climbing, building and hands-on play.
At its heart, the exhibit encourages children to think about what it means to be part of a community: considering other people’s perspectives, practicing empathy, and seeing how their actions affect people, animals and the environment around them.
“Explore Staten Island gives children a chance to discover the extraordinary world in their own backyard,” said Dina Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Staten Island Children’s Museum. “This renovation creates a more engaging, accessible space for children to move, build, experiment and learn alongside their families. Just as importantly, it invites them to care for their community and help protect the world they will inherit. We are deeply grateful to the donors, sponsors and community members whose generosity made this possible.”
Explore Staten Island was made possible through the generous support of:
New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton; The Estate of Albert and Jean Roland; The Staten Island Foundation; The Achelis & Bodman Foundation; Con Edison; The McCrindle Family; New York City Council; Northfield Bank Foundation; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Vincent Gruppuso Foundation; CDE Air Conditioning Co.; The Naso Organization, LLC; The Poritz Family Foundation; Rogers Surveying, PLLC – Rogers Calvanico Group, PLLC; Chief Cleaning; The Friedhoff Family; Jake Gamble; The Lauder-McGloin Family; Northfield Bank; The Rotary Club of Staten Island; The Satin Family; and Scaran.
The project also benefited from the generosity of hundreds of visitors who rounded up their admission, event and camp purchases to help bring the exhibit to life.
November Brings School-Break Camps, Science and Family Fun
Our November calendar features hands-on cooking and art activities, movement workshops, live science demonstrations and family entertainment. School-break day camps on Veterans Day and during Thanksgiving recess offer children a full day of exploration, creativity and play.
Featured November Programs
Veterans Day School’s Out Day Camp
Wednesday, November 11 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
School is out, and adventure is in! Campers will explore our exhibits, create art, discover science and enjoy outdoor play. Advance registration required via sichildrensmuseum.org.
Con Edison STEM Science Weekend: Crazy Science—Dry Ice
Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15 | 4–4:45 p.m.
Get ready for some cool science! Children will discover the fascinating properties of dry ice through demonstrations exploring how this solid changes directly into a gas without becoming a liquid first.
Thanksgiving Recess School’s Out Day Camp
Friday, November 27 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Keep the fun going during the school break. Campers will explore exhibits, make art, discover science and play outside. Advance registration required via sichildrensmuseum.org.
More November Programs
Bank of America Museums on Us®
Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8 | During regular Museum hours
Bank of America cardholders receive one free general admission by presenting a valid debit or credit card and a government-issued photo ID.
ShopRite Kidz Cook: Pizza Roll-Ups
Saturday, November 7 | 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Young chefs will chop cheese and pepperoni, measure and add oregano and garlic powder, and roll their ingredients into tortillas to create their own pizza roll-ups.
Museum Movers & Shakers
Sunday, November 8 | 12 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Children can move, dance and stretch in workshops featuring playful movement games and yoga.
DJ Got Me Fit
Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22 | 4–4:45 p.m.
Kids can get moving with energetic games and dances inspired by popular music.
Bilingual Birdies
Saturday, November 28 | 4–4:45 p.m.
Children can explore the Spanish language through an engaging mix of songs, dancing and puppets.
Silly Billy
Sunday, November 29 | 4–4:45 p.m.
Award-winning magician and comedian Silly Billy brings an afternoon of tricks, comedy and surprises for the whole family.
Ongoing November Activity
Walk-In! Workshop: Fall Foodscapes
Wednesdays–Fridays | 1–4 p.m.
Saturdays–Sundays | 12–4 p.m.
Children can create their own colorful plates of fall-inspired food using cardboard, paper, scissors and glue in this hands-on art activity.
Holiday Closure: We will be closed Thursday, November 26, in observance of Thanksgiving.
For program details, registration and admission information, visit sichildrensmuseum.org.
About Staten Island Children’s Museum
The Staten Island Children’s Museum inspires children to explore, discover and learn through hands-on experiences that nurture creativity and curiosity, celebrate different learning styles, and demonstrate that learning can be fun. Serving children and families through interactive exhibits and educational programs, the Museum provides opportunities for children to learn through play and connect with the world around them.
We are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. All programs are included with admission unless stated. Schedules are subject to change. Please visit the Museum’s website for the latest updates: www.sichildrensmuseum.org.
The Staten Island Children’s Museum is located at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. For more information call 718-273-2060, email info@sichildrensmuseum.org or visit sichildrensmuseum.org.
The museum is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and is supported by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs with additional support from the Staten Island delegation to the NYC Council, NYS Council on the Arts, Corporations, Foundations, the Trustees and Members.
