The Staten Island Children’s Museum is open to children of all ages, offering a broad selection of exhibits, programs, special events, and creative activities. Learn, grow and be entertained with a hands-on, kid-friendly experience!
The Staten Island Children’s Museum has been expanding minds & imaginations since 1974.
Staten Island Children's Museum Visitors Services & Information
Staten Island Children’s Museum offers a variety of services to visitors in order to provide them with a wonderful Museum experience. Visitor Services Managers are always available to assist visitors with any questions, needs, or concerns.
Animals
With the exception of service animals, animals are not permitted in the Museum.
Baby Care
Nursing is allowed anywhere in the Museum. There is a private nursing area in the Community Gallery exhibit located on the lower level near Sea of Boats.
Cleaning Procedures
Staten Island Children’s Museum maintains hospital-level cleaning and sanitizing standards.
Coat Racks
There are coat racks located on the 1st floor. Please be advised that valuables should not be left in this area.
Directions
Staten Island Children’s Museum is close to major highways and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the MTA bus, train, and ferry. Click here for public transportation and by car directions.
Food & Drink
Food and drink, other than water, are not allowed inside the Museum. There are vending machines and a Cafe open from 10:30 am to 1:45 pm, Tuesday – Friday on the lower level below Great Explorations near the outdoor exhibit, the Sea of Boats.
Inappropriate Language
Swearing and offensive language are not permitted in the Museum. Little ears are always listening.
Information Desk
Our Information Desk is located in the main lobby. Services provided include: Kidz Cook tickets, Tot’s Time tickets, lost and found, directions, visit planning, first aid, and lost persons.
Lost and Found
Lost and found is located at the main lobby Information Desk. Please call our front desk at 718-273-2060 with any questions.
Lost Persons
For the safety of all, grown-ups should stay with their children at all times during their visit and should have a plan in place in case of accidental separation. If a child and grown-up become separated, a staff person in a green shirt should be notified. The Museum has a procedure in place for reuniting children with their grown-ups.
Maps
Museum maps are available at the Front Desk. Please click here for a Museum map: Museum map.
Go on A Family Adventure Walk guide
Our new guide will help you connect topics and ideas from your visit to the Staten Island Children’s Museum with the park that surrounds the Museum. You can download a pdf to your phone or check out a hard copy at the front desk when you visit. The guide was made possible by a grant from the Richmond County Savings Bank Foundation.
Parking
The Museum has a parking lot located near the East Gate entrance of Snug Harbor.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on the basement level, 1st floor, and 2nd floor as well as near the lower level cafe.
Staten Island Children’s Museum Gift Shop
Our Museum Shop is located in the main lobby. Please visit to browse a great variety of books, educational toys, logo gifts, plush, and more!
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed on Museum property.
Accessibility
Most components of all exhibitions are wheelchair accessible. Because of the unique nature of our exhibits, portions of Great Explorations, Block Harbor and Portia’s Playhouse are not accessible, but include parallel activities for visitors who use wheelchairs. For more information about specific exhibitions within the Children’s Museum, please inquire at the Front Desk.
Strollers
Stroller parking space is limited in the Museum. Please consider leaving your stroller at home or using a smaller umbrella-style stroller. Strollers can be parked in the 1st floor coatroom in the Ladder 11 exhibit. Please note that some exhibit spaces cannot accommodate strollers. Valuables should not be left in unattended strollers.
Hours
September through June Hours
Monday through Friday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
July & August
Tuesday and Thursday – Sunday
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
The Museum is closed:
Most Mondays
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Admission
$8 for people 1 year and up
Members: admitted FREE to the Children’s Museum every day
General public: free admission on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (September – June) and from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (July & August)
Grandparents: free admission all day on Wednesdays
Group Visits: Please call (718) 273-2060, ext. 137.
All programs are free with admission unless otherwise noted.
Adults unaccompanied by minor children will not be admitted to the Museum.
Directions & Parking
Staten Island Children’s Museum
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: (718) 273-2060 / Fax: (718) 273-2836
Grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical GardenParking
Designated parking locations are found in the East Parking Lot, opposite the Children’s Museum and just inside the Fillmore Street entrance.Public transportation:
To get to the Children’s Museum, take the Staten Island Ferry, then hop on the S40 bus at the St. George Ferry Terminal to the Snug Harbor Road stop. (5-10 minutes)Driving:
From Staten Island Expressway (Rte. 278) take Exit 13 (Clove Road ). Proceed to Clove Road intersection and turn North on Clove Road (right if coming from Brooklyn, left if coming from New Jersey). Take Clove Road six traffic lights to Bard Avenue. Turn right on Bard Avenue and follow to the end (Richmond Terrace). Turn right on Richmond Terrace and go three blocks to Tysen Street. Turn Right on Tysen and go one block to Fillmore Street . Turn right and enter Snug Harbor gates. Parking for the Children’s Museum is immediately to the left of the entrance.
Accessibility
The Staten Island Children’s Museum is committed to making its exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to all who visit.
Accessible Exhibitions
Most components of all exhibitions are wheelchair accessible. Because of the unique nature of our exhibits, portions of Great Explorations, Block Harbor and Portia’s Playhouse are not accessible, but include parallel activities for visitors who use wheelchairs.For more information about specific exhibitions within the Children’s Museum, please inquire at the Admissions Desk in the main building.
Service AnimalsAppropriately documented guide dogs and animals for assisted therapy are welcome in the Children’s Museum!
Visitors’ Guide to the Children’s Museum
Please download our guide to visiting the Children’s Museum. 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.
I am going to the Staten Island Children’s Museum!
First Aid
Please inform any uniformed staff member if First Aid is required.
In case of emergency, call 718-273-2060 and dial 0 to talk to the Admissions desk if help is needed.
The Snack Zone
Enjoy a simple yet delicious, fresh and healthy meal at very moderate prices. Menu items include sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot dogs and an occasional special. Hot drinks, chips and fresh fruit are also on the menu. Cold drinks and additional eating options are available in vending machines. Credit & debit cards accepted at the Snack Zone.
The café is collaboration with On Your Mark, (OYM) an agency which provides services to children and adults with disabilities.
Stop by and meet the OYM staff and the day-habilitation participants. The café is a program that helps teach participants responsibilities including grocery shopping, preparing meals, cleaning and maintaining the premises, simple math and providing customer service. By the way, the program participants use their tips to save up for trips they take on weekends.
Since the café is a day-habilitation program teaching participants these life skills it has limited hours of operations, normally Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Times do change so please call ahead to check that the café is open. Of course the vending machines are always available.
Also, during late Spring, Summer and early Fall, Harbor Eats, a take out shack on the grounds of Snug Harbor offers lunch options and provides seating.
