The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is one of those places that remains etched in your memory forever. Not because it’s loud and flashy (though it has that, too), but because it was the first space in history where adults decided that children’s curiosity deserved a home. Over the past 125 years, this home has welcomed millions of families and continues to amaze. If you find yourself in New York City with children, it’s a must-see.
Fun Facts about the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
- This is the world’s first children’s museum. It opened several years before similar institutions appeared in other American cities and set the standard for the entire children’s education industry.
- A significant portion of the exhibition spaces are located underground. The multi-level underground gallery is ideal for creating rotating immersive exhibitions.
- The museum contains over 30,000 artifacts: musical instruments from around the world, masks, dolls, fossils, rock samples, and everyday objects from various cultures. The collection covers history, art, natural science, and ethnography.
- Children help create exhibitions and participate in the planning and development of new exhibits.
- One in three museum visitors enter free, thanks to partnerships with Cool Culture organizations, discounts for SNAP recipients, and grants for schools in low-income areas.
What to see at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum: exhibitions
The museum’s three floors offer a rich program for children aged 6 months to 10 years. Each space is a unique adventure.
World Brooklyn
The flagship permanent exhibition is a miniature replica of Brooklyn. Children find themselves in a real city in miniature: there’s an L&B Spumoni Gardens pizzeria, a Mexican bakery, and an international supermarket with jars of Indian ghee and Turkish delights. They can weigh ingredients, knead “dough,” and pay at the checkout. The neighborhood reflects the borough’s true cultural diversity.
Neighborhood Nature
Wildlife dioramas introduce children to the ecosystems that exist just outside the city. The museum has long been famous for its live 35-foot Burmese python, which has become a true legend for generations of Brooklyn children.
Totally Tots
A special space for the very youngest children — children under 5. There’s a Baby Patch, a Sand Spot, a Play Pond, a Kids’ Quarry, a cozy Reading Corner, and a parent’s area.
ColorLab
An art lab where children conduct real experiments with color, light, and materials. This isn’t just drawing — it’s exploring visual art through science.
In the Works
An interactive construction site inspired by real construction sites. Children build, disassemble, and reassemble — just like real engineers.
Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit
This new temporary exhibition, timed to coincide with the anniversary, is a collaborative project with illustrator and author Mo Willems. Through play and art performances, she explores the concept of opposites: big and small, fast and slow, quiet and loud.
Brooklyn Time Machine (2027)
In 2027, a new permanent exhibition, “Brooklyn Time Machine,” will open, focusing on character development and social-emotional learning for children ages 5-12.
Things to do at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum: programms
The museum is more than just exhibitions. It’s a vibrant cultural space with a rich program year-round.
Daily Workshops
Hands-on activities are held daily, including drawing, sculpting, experimenting with natural materials, and music sessions. The schedule varies, so check the museum’s website before your visit.
Multicultural Performances
On weekends, live performances include traditional music, dance, and theater from around the world. The museum hosts cultural festivals throughout the year with the support of the Nissan Foundation.
Kwanzaa Celebration
BCM hosts the largest family-friendly Kwanzaa celebration in New York City in partnership with the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. It’s one of Brooklyn’s most anticipated December events.
Martin Luther King Day
Every January, the museum celebrates the legacy of the civil rights leader with performances, miniature protest marches, art programs, and volunteer projects for children.
Museum on the Go
For schools unable to organize a tour, the “Museum on the Go” program has been launched — curatorial kits with exhibits, activities, and lesson materials are delivered directly to classrooms.
ArtRink
A seasonal ice rink with an art program is a separate attraction; admission is $5 per person.
The History of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum: 125 Years Ahead of Its Time
On December 16, 1899, a museum unlike any other in the world opened in New York City. It was founded at the initiative of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences and was housed in the Adams House mansion.
The idea seemed revolutionary: to create a space where children could not only look at exhibits behind glass, but actively interact with them, touch them, explore them, and ask questions.
By October 1905, the museum was receiving over 13,000 visitors a month — a staggering number for the early 20th century. The initial emphasis was on natural sciences: city children raised among asphalt and brick walls were introduced to the natural world. After World War II, the emphasis shifted to technology and cultural diversity.
In 1977, the museum moved to a purpose-built building in Crown Heights, having occupied two Victorian mansions from 1899 to 1977. A major renovation from 2003 to 2008 nearly doubled its space and earned the museum another record: it became New York City’s first “green” museum, utilizing environmentally friendly building materials and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
Visitor’s information
📍 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Tickets: $15
Hours: Open daily, except Mondays
Website: brooklynkids.org
