Museums for Children in New York City

New York City is famous for its museums. And for the special things that they do for the younger citizens of the city. Combine the two and you get museums that are dedicated to Children, places where you can bring you children secure in the knowledge that the events and activities will be age appropriate, and taught by qualified experts. I had the opportunity to visit these museums when I lived in New York and had a young child and they were everything they were cracked up to be. These are great places all year long, but in the cold New York winter, when the children have severe cabin fever attacks and it is just impossible to let them play outside, these Children's Museums can truly be a God send for both you and your child. Take a look at what each has to offer and try to make some time to come and visit.

Children's Museum of Manhattan
http://www.cmom.org
The Tisch Building
212 West 83rd Street
between Broadway and Amsterdam
New York, NY 10024
(212) 721-1234
(212) 721-1127 FAX

The Children's Museum of Manhattan is more than just a Museum. It is a place to have a child's birthday party, and the also have early Childhood Classes for ages 14 months - 4 years, Enrichment Classes for ages 3 - 7 years. They have interactive science exhibits, history and for the younger set, activities related to their favorite TV shows such as Dora the Explorer.

Children's Museum of the Arts
http://www.cmany.org
82 Lafayette Street,
New York, NY 10013
(212) 274-0986

If your child has artistic talent, this is the place where it will be nurtured and developed to the highest level. And it is also a place to come to just for the fun of it. They have an after school program that is one of the best. They start them out learning early here, in pre school, not only teaching them art for arts sake, but helping the child learn to express himself, an important thing to learn before starting kindergarten.

Brooklyn Children's Museum
http://www.brooklynkids.org
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Phone: 718-735-4400
Fax: 718-604-7442

The Brooklyn Children's Museum was the first ever Children's Museum, being founded in 1899 and the model and inspiration for all the others. They have just finished an expansion program, so if you were here in years past, maybe when you were a child, you will find a lot more waiting for you on your next visit. They have both a permanent collection of more than 27,000 items and limited time exhibits.

The Jewish Children's Museum
http://www.jcm.museum
792 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Tel: 718-467-0600
Fax: 718-467-1300

The Jewish Children's Museum is for children of all faiths, a place where they can come and learn together. And of course have fun. A trip here will teach the children just how much they have in common. They have an on site restaurant and a whole floor of games.

So now you have no excuse for sitting around the house. Bundle up the kids and get going to one of these New York City treasures. You will enjoy it as much as they will.