National Children’s Museum Review

by Micaela

We just got back from the National Children’s Museum press preview and had a blast!  The museum is the only congressionally designated museum to focus exclusively on children, and its mission is “ to inspire children to care about and improve the world.”  The staff there was great, helpful, and interactive with the children.  It was fun to be a place where learning through play is encouraged, and little ones.  

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The museum exhibits are all located on one level with 18,000 sq. ft. of public space.

The exhibits are divided up into the following:

•  Sesame Street-themed 3 & Under gallery, created in partnership with Sesame Workshop, facilitates exploration and discovery for NCM’s visitors under 3 ft. tall or younger than age 3.   This area contains a great climbing structure, Cookie Monster’s Yum Yum truck with play food, a crawling zone with sensory objects for babies, blocks, books, and creative magnet/felt shape and letter play on the walls.  There is also an additional arts and craft room for little ones.
•  Our World  exhibit  contains three parts:

1. Map Zone to offer “a contextual and physical global perspective.”
2. My Town to encourage good citizenship in the community with child favorites like a fire truck area, pretend pizza kitchen and store, bedroom with a bunk bed games and books, a loading zone with cranes and freight, and even a campaign headquarters for our capitally savvy children.
3. World Cultures transports visitors to various global regions and highlights diverse cultures and traditions.  Right now this exhibit is set up like a market place in Tanzania.  There is also a pretend global kitchen and dress up zone where children can try on traditional outfits from around the world.

• The museum also has a Theatre which holds 130 people that will have entertainment from the NCM theatre ensemble and guest performers.

The National Children’s Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day, and will remain open until 7 p.m. during the summer months. Admission is $10 per person, with no cost for infants 12 months and under. NCM also offers group rates (consisting of 10 people or more and reserved in advance) at $8 per child and $10 per adult, with one adult receiving free entry for every five children. Various membership package options are available, offering free year-round admission, exclusive benefits and access to special Museum events.

Our photo album:

Insider tips:

• The Museum will begin accepting reservations for private birthday parties beginning Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, with parties beginning in March. Educators can begin reserving school field trips on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013.
• No field trip groups will be allowed on Mondays (good to know for planning!)
• Food and drink are not permitted in the museum, and there is no cafe or place to eat a snack.  If you want to eat, you must go outside or visit an area restaurant.
• Bathrooms are kept in pristine condition and offer multiple changing tables.
• Parking is easy around the museum.  There a plenty of public garages (for a cost) and some street spots available.
• Right now, I would say that the museum is best for the 0-8 crowd.  There will be an outdoor component opening in 2014 that may have stuff for older kids.
• More in my article for Northern Virginia Magazine