Children’s Museum of the Arts

182 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012

Dedicated to helping children develop their full potential through the visual and performing arts, this wonderful museum features very special exhibits and activities and art programs just for kids between 18 months and 10 years old, and their families.

Exhibits and activities include The Artist Studio, where young artists participate in daily activities; the International Children’s Art Gallery; the Monet Ball Pond, Preschool Creative Play Area, for kids 4 and under to engage in dramatic play, imaginative art and creative relaxation; and Lines and Shapes, where kids use computer sketch pads to create shapes on a giant colorform wall.

There’s more. Spirit of the Lacandon Children is a vivid portrayal of life in the Mexican rain forest featuring the artworks of Mayan children; Architect’s Alley, a two-story child-sized structure where youngsters 5 through 7 learn about geometric shapes, design principles, building materials and architect tools; and the Wonder Theater, where children are given a theme and encouraged to design the set, costume and props, which they then use to produce and perform vignettes.

The Museum offers a full calendar of special activities, performances, story tellings, and sing alongs, really making it a “got-to-go” attraction for children and their families. Families can also enroll their children in regular classes, including after school.

School Group Programs, for ages 4 through 14 include Ideas (ages 6 and up): In Architect’s Alley, students explore such factors as appropriate building materials and people’s needs while designing and constructing building models; Wow! What a Wonderful Show! (ages 4 and up): Children create their own mini-theatre productions; and Children of the Lacandon (ages 5 and up): An engaging, interactive program built around this great exhibit. Many other great programs are available.

Hours: General Public: Wednesday thru Sunday 12 - 5pm (open until 6pm Thursdays) ; Early Childhood Classes: Wednesday thru Friday 9:45am - 12pm; School and Camp Groups Monday & Tuesday 10am - 2:30pm.

Admission: $8.00 per person. Pay as you wish Thursday 4 - 6pm. School Programs cost $150 - $200 per group, depending on group size.

Group Reservations: At least 4 weeks in advance.

Lunch: No eating facilities, but lower Manhattan has many.

Handicapped: Accessible.

Directions: Located at Spring St. between Crosby and Lafeyette.

Time: 45 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.

Nearby: New York City Fire Museum , Fraunces Tavern Museum , World Trade Center Observation Deck , Federal Reserve Bank , New York Stock Exchange , South Street Seaport .