Self-Guided Tour Groups will be led by teachers and chaperones using Curriculum Notes (also provided in Spanish) provided by the Museum. Educators use these points to guide their students though the Museum. The notes suggest multiple ways to engage with each artwork and pose thinking questions about the art for students to discuss.

Chaperones are responsible for directing their students through the Museum, as well as for overseeing their behavior and safety.

Available Sessions:
Mondays 11:30am–1pm
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10am–11:30am or 11:30am–1pm

Price per child: $5
Price per chaperone: Free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per every 3 students. Additional chaperones are $5 each. The Museum requires 1 chaperone per 5 students for grades K-8 and 1 chaperone per 10 students for high school groups. However, a 1:3 ratio of chaperones to students is highly recommended for self-guided tours.

Facilitated Tour Groups are lead by trained NCM Facilitators using age-appropriate standards-based curriculum.

Available Sessions:
Mondays 11:30am–1pm
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10am–11:30am or 11:30am–1pm

Price per child: $5
Price per chaperone: $5

The Museum requires that facilitated groups have 1 chaperone for every 5 students for grades K–8 and 1 chaperone for every 10 students for high school.

 

The Museum offers complimentary, self-guided tours for Title 1 Schools and Headstart Programs during the 11:30–1pm session on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

 

School groups may choose to participate in an additional studio activity in our Arts Education Center led by one of our trained NCM artists. This hands-on, take-home activity is designed especially for school groups, and is inspired by the current exhibition. The optional studio activity is offered in the half hour following your tour (11:30am–12pm or 1–1:30pm).

Optional studio activity fee: additional $3 per child.

 

Orientation NCM Staff will lead your group in an orientation that will highlight some of the artwork you will be seeing and basic guidelines and safety rules for during your visit. Orientation will take place in the Park located on Island Avenue, directly across from the Museum entrance.

The Tour Your tour will consist of structured rotations through the galleries. Your group will engage with various artworks and will take part in an interactive, art-making experience in a studio space specially reserved for school groups.

Optional Art Activity If your group has elected to take the optional, additional studio activity, they will meet their NCM Artist in the Arts Education Center on theCricket Wireless Level of the Museum. This activity will take place at the conclusion of your gallery tour.

Please note: For safety reasons, not all areas of the Museum are accessible to groups, including the Clay and Paint Studio. After your visit, we will e-mail you a 2-for-1 coupon to distribute to your students so that they may return with their families and visit these spaces.

 

We require a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 60 children. If your group is larger than 60, your group can be divided and scheduled for multiple sessions/days.

 

If you have a group with special needs or a language requirement, please complete the Special Needs/Language Requirement section on your School Visit Request Form so that we may provide the best possible experience for your group.

 

Educators bringing a school group to the Museum are encouraged to take advantage of a free “pre-visit” to the Museum. This will give you the opportunity to become familiar with the Museum’s layout and current exhibition. No appointment is required. Simply notify NCM Staff at the front desk that you have a group scheduled to visit.

We also encourage you to review the age-appropriate, Curriculum Notes. Educators use these points to guide their students through the Museum. The notes suggest multiple ways to engage with each artwork and pose thinking questions about the art for students to discuss.

 

Bring attached documents/information sent to you in your e-mail confirmations.

Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time on your tour.

Direct bus driver to drop off students on Island Avenue, just past walk way and Museum entrance. Please note there is no bus parking on site.

NCM Staff will greet your group in front of the Museum entrance, lead them to the park for an orientation, and help bring lunches inside if needed. Group leaders will be directed to the Arts Education Center entrance on Union Street for check-in.

 

All payment is done upon arrival on the date of your tour. We accept cash, check and all credit cards except for Discover.

Please make checks payable to The New Children’s Museum.

 

If you must cancel your tour, please do so at least 1 week in advance. No shows and last minute cancellations will be invoiced for $25.

 

Cars and buses may drop students and chaperones off on Island Avenue just past the walkway and Museum entrance. Please note: there is no bus parking available on site.

 

NCM’s on-site parking structure has a daily rate of $10 per vehicle. It is located off of Front Street just south of Market Street. Proceeding south on Front, after crossing Market Street you will see Richard Walkers Pancake House on the right hand side; then turn right into NCM’s lot.

Metered parking is available on Union and Market streets.

Click here for more information on additional parking in the area, public transportation, and detailed directions.

 

Yes, groups may eat in the Park adjacent to the Museum or in the Arts Education Center if space is available. We also have space in the museum to store lunches while your group is on their tour.

Your students do not need to bring any money; they will not be allowed to enter the Museum’s cafe.

 

Contact the Education Department at schools@thinkplaycreate.org or 619 233 8792 x103.