Children's Museum of Manhattan
museumInteractive children's museum on Manhattan's Upper West Side offering hands-on exhibits, art, science and early childhood programs focused primarily on children ages 0–6, plus outreach and community initiatives.
Upcoming Events (25)
Sculptures in Step
Hands-on sculpture sessions in the Makerspace at the Children's Museum of Manhattan invite all ages to create dynamic sculptures across weekend and weekday slots, blending play, texture, and collaborative art in a family-friendly setting.
Drawing Little and Big Art
Hands-on drawing workshop for kids and families at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Explore different drawing tools across multiple sessions on Apr 23–24, Apr 25–26, and Apr 28–30 on the 3rd Floor PlayWorks—designed for all ages.
Collective Star Mural with Make-A-Wish
Create a collaborative star mural at the Children's Museum of Manhattan in honor of Make-A-Wish Day. Two sessions on the 1st floor (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) invite all ages to contribute to a shared artwork within Inside Art.
Watercolor Wishes
Join Watercolor Wishes at the Children's Museum of Manhattan for a hands-on art session on the 3rd Floor PlayWorks. Kids and families use brushes to craft a watercolor dream scene in an inviting, all-ages setting. No prior experience required—just a splash of color and imagination.
International Dance Day Jazz Party!
International Dance Day Jazz Party at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. A 25-minute family-friendly jazz performance on the 1st floor for all ages, inviting kids and caregivers to tap, wiggle, and celebrate music in a playful museum setting.
Silhouettes in Silk: Costume Design Studio
Hands-on costume-design workshop for families at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Explore silk silhouettes and traditional ao dai/ao gam costumes, then design wearable art in the Makerspace during May 1–3 (multiple sessions daily).
Filipino Inspired Banig Mat Weaving
Hands-on Banig mat-weaving workshop for kids at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. A Filipino-inspired craft on the 3rd-floor PlayWorks, designed for ages 4 and younger. Sessions Fri May 1 2:45–3:45 pm and Sat–Sun May 2–3 with 11:15 am–12:15 pm and 2:45–3:45 pm.
Water & Stillness: Buddha Board Painting
Water & Stillness: Buddha Board Painting is a relaxed family-friendly workshop at CMOM's Makerspace. May 5–8 offers two daily sessions (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) where participants paint with water on a Buddha board, creating fleeting art that fades.
Japanese Inspired Still Life Flower Painting
A family-friendly painting session at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Kids ages 4 and younger explore a Japanese-inspired still-life flower arrangement and paint what they see during PlayWorks, May 5–8, 2:45–3:45 pm. Materials provided in a friendly, hands-on studio setting.
Hearts in Bloom Bouquets
Family-friendly art workshop at the Children's Museum of Manhattan (May 9–10, 2026) where kids ages 5+ create blooming 3D heart bouquets and write a kind message. Two daily sessions (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) on the 1st floor offer hands-on crafting and joyful keepsakes.
Parents Day Card Making
Join a hands-on Parents Day Card Making session at the Children's Museum of Manhattan for ages 4 and younger. Test textures with different drawing tools as you create a loving card for a special grown-up, on the 3rd Floor PlayWorks area. A family-friendly craft event that blends play and creativity.
Tapa Cloth Totes
Join Tapa Cloth Totes in the Children's Museum of Manhattan Makerspace for a hands-on, all-ages workshop. Design a functional tote inspired by tapa cloth traditions from Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii and Tahiti, with sessions daily May 12–17 at 10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15.
Masi Art Stamping
Young artists (ages 4 and under) can try Masi art stamping at the Children's Museum of Manhattan's PlayWorks. Stamp ink patterns onto fabric to create a Fiji-inspired textile design. Sessions run Tue–Fri, May 12–17, 2:45–3:45 pm on the 3rd floor.
Guest Programs
Guest Programs at the Children's Museum of Manhattan offers guest-led morning activities for all ages on May 16–17, 10:30 am–12:30 pm on the 1st Floor. Explore hands-on experiences and discoveries in a friendly, kid-centered museum setting.
Scoring Style Jersey Design
Young kids (ages 4 and under) design a paper jersey using art materials to celebrate the FIFA World Cup, at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Two daily sessions (11:15–12:15 and 2:45–3:45) in PlayWorks invite little designers to show team spirit with playful, creative art.
Go Team, Go! Hats
Join a hands-on workshop at the Children's Museum of Manhattan Makerspace to doodle your own team hat. This family-friendly, casual activity runs on Saturday & Sunday, May 16–17, from 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm for all ages.
Rolling Art: Truck Design
Join a hands-on art workshop at the Children's Museum of Manhattan inspired by South Asian truck art. Explore bold colors, floral patterns, mirrors and decorative lettering, then create your own rolling-art designs in the Makerspace during May 19–24 (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15 daily).
Lights, Camera, Action! Bollywood Dress-up
60-minute Bollywood dress-up sessions for ages 4 and under at CMOM. Kids can dress in colorful Bollywood costumes, explore film themes in PlayWorks, and enjoy a playful look at Indian cinema. Runs May 19–24 with daily slots (Tue–Fri 2:45–3:45 pm; Sat–Sun 11:15 am–12:15 pm and 2:45–3:45 pm) in a welcoming, family-friendly museum setting.
Messages That Soar
In CMOM's Makerspace (1st Floor), kids and families write or draw hopes for peace on paper feathers to add to a giant wing wall. Two sessions on May 25 (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) offer a playful, hands-on peace-themed art activity in a kid-friendly museum.
Paper Doves of Peace
Join the Children's Museum of Manhattan for Paper Doves of Peace, a playful indoor workshop for ages 4 and younger. Decorate tissue doves and add your creation to a mural of peace on the 3rd floor PlayWorks, with two sessions at 11:15–12:15 and 2:45–3:45.
Together at the Table Clay Sculptures
Kids and families gather in the Makerspace at the Children's Museum of Manhattan for Together at the Table: Clay Sculptures, a hands-on clay-and-collage workshop. Create pretend feast plates and explore Eid-inspired table settings in two daily sessions (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) from May 26–29.
Eid Charity Boxes
Family-friendly Eid-themed activities for ages 4 and younger at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. On the 3rd floor's PlayWorks, multiple sessions run May 26–29 to explore charity boxes in a playful, age-appropriate setting.
Persian Pattern Crochet
Hands-on crochet workshop for all ages at the Children's Museum of Manhattan's Makerspace. Create beginner-friendly crocheted tiles inspired by Persian motifs during sessions on May 30 and May 31.
Turkish Tile Paper Mosaics
Young children (ages 4 and younger) explore Turkish tile-inspired paper mosaics at the Children's Museum of Manhattan's PlayWorks. Using drawing tools to decorate squares and assemble a communal mosaic, little designers create a bright, mosaic masterpiece in a hands-on family-friendly workshop.
Read-Aloud & Artmaking: Sami's Eid Story
Join author M.O. Yuksel for a read-aloud of Sami's Eid al-Adha story at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, followed by a hands-on artmaking activity on the First Floor Inside Art. Suitable for ages 3 and up, with sessions at 10:30 am and 11:30 am. A warm, family-friendly celebration of storytelling and creativity.