Children's Museum of Manhattan

Opened in 1973 and relocated to the Upper West Side in 1989, the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is a place of discovery and delight for youngsters throughout the city. CMOM aims to inspire children and families to learn about themselves and our culturally diverse world through a unique environment of interactive exhibitions and programs.

CMOM is committed to making its exhibits and programs available to all, and with nearly 50 sites around New York City, it reaches thousands of families who might not otherwise be able to benefit from its services. CMOM’s four priority areas are meant to impact children in ways that will last a lifetime: early childhood education prepares children to enter kindergarten; creativity in the arts and sciences inspires creative and analytical thinking skills for lifelong learning; healthy lifestyles programs provide a blueprint for a family's physical, emotional and environmental well being; and the exploration of world cultures gives children awareness, understanding and context for the diverse society they are part of. These priorities are met through exhibitions, classes, workshops, performances and museum-sponsored festivals.

CMOM’s programs and exhibits are designed to address the multiple ways children learn and to help parents understand and support their children’s development. Highlights include the PlayWorks™ floor for pre-schoolers; the exhibition Gods, Myths and Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece, designed as an introduction to art, science and literature; and the Healthy Living programming produced with healthcare providers to encourage good nutrition and daily exercise. Professional Development training is offered to early childhood and school educators as a means to broaden CMOM’s influence in reaching children and their families effectively.

Every week over 80 workshops, classes and performances are offered free with admission to the museum, deepening the CMOM experience with related literacy-based activities, diverse cultural experiences and the performing arts. Every CMOM program is based on research, evaluation and testing.