The museum's original location was inside the historic Adams Mansion in Brower Park.
It remains one of the few museums in the world to maintain a collection of live animals used for educational programming.
The current building, expanded in 2008, was the first museum project in New York City to earn LEED Gold certification.
The collection includes a diverse array of items from the Brooklyn Museum that were transferred specifically to serve a younger demographic.
Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children's Museum is recognized as the first museum in the United States specifically designed for children. It features over 30,000 objects in its permanent collection, ranging from natural history specimens to cultural artifacts. The facility houses interactive exhibits such as 'World Brooklyn,' which recreates local neighborhoods to encourage role-playing in miniature storefronts. A dedicated 'Sensory Room' provides a calming environment for neurodivergent visitors. The museum’s building incorporates sustainable design elements, including a distinctive 'green' roof and energy-efficient climate control systems. It caters primarily to children aged six months to ten years old. The collection includes significant holdings of global cultural items, such as masks, dolls, and musical instruments. Educational programming focuses on STEAM concepts and early childhood development through play-based learning.
Inside the 'World Brooklyn' exhibit, which features colorful, child-sized replicas of diverse local storefronts.
Check the official website to reserve timed-entry tickets in advance, as capacity limits are strictly enforced.
Bring a change of clothes for younger children, as the 'Waterways' exhibit involves significant interactive play with water.
Utilize the museum’s locker storage for bulky coats and bags to navigate the crowded exhibit galleries more easily.
Do not skip the rooftop garden, which is often overlooked by visitors focusing only on the interior ground-floor galleries.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Adults must be accompanied by a child to enter; shoes are required in all gallery spaces.
