Admissions

How do I purchase tickets for Brooklyn Children’s Museum?

Tickets may be purchased online or at the Museum. We encourage visitors to buy tickets online in advance for faster entry.

How long may I stay at Brooklyn Children’s Museum?

Visitors are free to stay at BCM up until closing (typically 5 pm). The Museum no longer runs on a session-based model, and there is no longer a one hour block between 1 pm–2 pm when the Museum is closed.

I am an adult over the age of 18. Can I visit Brooklyn Children’s Museum without a child?

Brooklyn Children’s Museum welcomes visits from college-age and above students in education, occupational therapy, museum studies, or other related programs, as well as visits from educators and other museum professionals. To ensure that programs are active during your visit, and for security reasons, students, educators, and museum professionals are asked to schedule their visits in advance by emailing hello@brooklynkids.org. Visitors without children are required to leave an ID at our security desk and to use a temporary badge throughout their visit. Adults who come to the Museum without children or an appointment cannot access our site at the time of their visit. Brooklyn Children’s Museum reserves the right to deny entry to any adult who visits without children or an appointment.

Can my child visit Brooklyn Children’s Museum alone or with a teenage relative?

Children must be accompanied by a caregiver 16 years old or above at all times when visiting Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Health, Safety, and Accessibility

Can I bring a weapon or firearm into the Museum?

No. Firearms and weapons of any type, whether concealed or carried openly, are strictly prohibited at all times at Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Are masks required?

Visitors are no longer required to wear masks while inside the Museum.

Is proof of vaccination required?

Proof of vaccination is no longer required at BCM.

What measures has BCM taken to make its space safer during the COVID-19 period?

BCM’s team has been working diligently to make our site safer. Twenty new hand-sanitizing stations have been installed throughout our exhibits, and we have upgraded our air filters to MERV 14, exceeding American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines. We open doors and windows to increase airflow in many areas of the Museum.

Do you have an elevator?

Yes, there is an elevator that accommodates guests who cannot climb stairs. Right now, only one family may use the elevator at a time. If you have a stroller, we ask that you consider leaving it at home or parking it in stroller parking to make space for visitors who need the elevator.

Does the Museum have a private parking area?

No, the Museum does not have a private parking garage or lot. Visitors are encouraged to use street parking.

Are your restrooms ADA-accessible?

Yes, all BCM restrooms are ADA-accessible.

Do you provide any accommodations for visitors with sensory sensitivities?

Yes, Sensory Kits are available for loan upon request at the Admissions Desk. A Sensory Kit includes headphones, feelings flash cards, and fidget toys.

Do you have all-gender restrooms?

Yes, there are four all-gender restrooms on BCM’s second floor.

Where can I breastfeed my child?

Breastfeeding is welcome anytime, anywhere in the Museum. There is seating available in our World Brooklyn exhibit, at our café, on our roof, and in our second floor galleries. For those who wish to nurse in a private space, Brooklyn Children’s Museum has a Mamava private breastfeeding station near the restrooms in our lobby.

What should I wear?

Tops, bottoms, and shoes must be worn at all times at Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Discounted and Free Admission

Are there free hours?

Yes, Thursdays from 2 pm–5 pm are Amazon Free Hours. Tickets can be reserved in advance here.

Do you provide any discounts?

BCM provides free and discounted general admission tickets to a number of community and corporate partners, including the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), Cool Culture, Culture Pass, EBT/SNAP cardholders, healthcare workers, NYPD, FDNY, Blue Star Families, teachers, and employees of businesses that support BCM through our corporate membership program. To receive partner tickets, visit BCM and present your partner ID. We reserve a block of tickets for these partners to ensure they will always have access.

I have a Cool Culture card. How do I book my free tickets?

As a community partner, Cool Culture cardholders should come to the Museum and pick up their tickets at the front desk. Cool Culture tickets cannot be booked online. Cool Culture members will be asked to present their card and a photo ID with a name that matches the card to redeem their tickets.

I have an EBT card entitling me to SNAP benefits. How do I book my free tickets?

As a community partner, EBT cardholders should come to the Museum and pick up their tickets at the front desk. EBT cardholder tickets cannot be booked online. EBT recipients will be asked to present their card to redeem their tickets.

How do I claim a free IDNYC membership?

BCM extends free individual memberships to IDNYC cardholders. Bring your IDNYC to BCM’s admissions desk to redeem your membership. As per IDNYC city rules, you may use your IDNYC only if you have not been a BCM member within the last 5 years. Membership benefits include:

  • Free general admission to Brooklyn Children’s Museum for one IDNYC cardholder (age 16+)
  • Invitations to exclusive Members-only events
  • The Museum’s e-newsletter

Refunds and Exchanges

Can my tickets be refunded if I cannot visit or attend an event?

There are no refunds; however, tickets can be exchanged for another date or event. Email hello@brooklynkids.org at least 24 hours before the time of your session to exchange your tickets for a different day. Day-of exchanges must be done onsite at BCM’s front desk. Exchanges are subject to availability. If there are no slots available for your selected date and time, you may be asked to choose a different slot.

What happens if BCM cancels an event or program?

If a program is canceled, BCM will notify anyone who has purchased tickets for the event as soon as possible. If the program is rescheduled, visitors will be issued tickets for the new date. If the program cannot be rescheduled, refund will be issued.

What happens if BCM asks my family to leave the Museum?

BCM never wants to ask a visitor to leave. We ask that all visitors familiarize themselves with our Safe Space Policy and Health & Safety Guidelines. If a visitor refuses to comply with these policies or engages in illegal or unsafe behavior on our site, BCM reserves the right to ask the visitor to leave with any children in their care. If a visitor is asked to leave, no refunds will be issued.

Eating and Drinking

Where can my family have a snack or lunch?

BCM has tables on our roof terrace and by our second floor café where families may eat. We do not allow eating in our exhibits. Families can purchase snacks and drinks from our café during regular Museum hours. Water and other types of closed bottles are allowed in our exhibits; however, open cups and bottles are not permitted.

Coat Check, Stroller Parking, Lost & Found

Can I check my coat or other items?

Self-check lockers are available to rent during your visit. Please do not bring bulky bags or other items as they will not be able to be checked.

Is there stroller parking?

There is limited stroller parking available at the museum. BCM is not responsible for any valuable items that are lost or stolen, including strollers in stroller parking. BCM is also fully stroller accessible, allowing all visitors to use their strollers throughout the entire museum.

Do you have a Lost and Found?

The Museum’s Lost and Found is located in our lobby next to the security desk. If you have lost an item, please check with the security officer located by the front entrance. Items of value may be stored in our security office. The Museum is not responsible for lost property and visitors are encouraged to leave valuables at home.

Group Visits

Can I bring a group to BCM?

The Museum welcomes school visits and summer camp visits Tuesday through Friday between 10 am–1 pm.

Is there lunch space for my group?

We offer space for lunch for $50 per group depending on availability. The Museum does not sell or provide lunch.

Can I bring my group on Thursday afternoons during Amazon Free Hours?

Group visits are restricted during Amazon Free Hours, which take place every Thursday between 2 pm–5 pm. Groups are welcome to visit Tuesday through Friday between 10 am–1 pm with a reservation.

Membership

Can I become a member of BCM? What are the benefits?

The greatest benefit of membership is knowing that you are supporting BCM as a resource for families in Brooklyn and as an economic and cultural anchor for our Crown Heights community. Membership also offers unlimited free general admission and discounts on group visits and birthday parties. Check our Membership page for more information.

Can my company become a corporate member so that my employees can visit at no charge?

Yes, BCM offers corporate memberships that allow companies to offer free general admission as a benefit to their employees. Check out our Corporate Membership page for more information.

I am a member of another children’s museum or science center. What are my benefits?

Brooklyn Children’s Museum is proud to be part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network. Restrictions may apply.

ASTC reciprocity allows free admission to 2 adults and up to 4 children. Please visit ASTC’s website for information on restrictions to using ASTC reciprocity.

ACM reciprocity gives you a 50 percent discount on general admission for up to 6 people. To use these benefits, please show your membership card along with a photo ID at the admissions desk.

Birthday Parties and Space Rentals

Can I host a birthday party at Brooklyn Children’s Museum?

Party space rentals include use of a private indoor space at Brooklyn Children’s Museum for 25 people. This includes admission to the general admission session that takes place during your party for all guests. Spaces will be furnished with a dedicated hand sanitizing station. Please note that BCM staff members are not able to serve food or drink at your event. Renters should plan to set up and serve their own food and drink. Book your party here.

Can I rent an indoor or outdoor space at BCM for an event?

Yes, BCM rents its space. Check out our Space Rentals page for more information.

Employment, Internships, Volunteering

How do I find out about jobs at Brooklyn Children’s Museum?

Check our Employment Opportunities page for information on open positions and how to apply for jobs.

Do you offer internships?

BCM offers internships in partnership with organizations such as Studio in a School and CUNY Corps. We encourage those interested in interning to explore those opportunities. BCM does not currently offer internships for middle or high school students.

Can I volunteer at Brooklyn Children’s Museum?

BCM does not offer volunteer opportunities.

Can my child, my child’s class or another group of children or teens come to volunteer?

BCM does not offer volunteer opportunities for groups of children or teens on our site.