CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON FAQ

How much does it cost to get into the Children’s Museum of Houston?
The Children’s Museum is a great place for affordable, educational fun. Admission to the Museum is $5 per person; $4 for seniors 65 and up; children under two and Museum Members are admitted free of charge.  The Museum is also FREE every Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m.

What are your hours of operation?

Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday: Free Family Night from 5 – 8 p.m.

The Museum will be open on select Mondays during the year. Click here to view the dates we will be open.

Where can I park?
Parking for the Children's Museum of Houston is available across the street in the Museum parking lot. Metered parking is also available around the neighboring streets of the Museum. Please do not park in a “no parking zone.”

What is there to do at the Children’s Museum?
With 14 hands-on galleries, there is plenty of fun and learning to be had at the Children’s Museum. Kids can “travel” to a small town in Mexico, shop for groceries and see live chicks hatch in the Farm to Market, solve mental mind benders in Think Tank, participate in experiments in Science Station, hoist themselves to new heights with the Kid Lift in How Does It Work?, plus much more!

Not only will children have fun in the different exhibits, but there are also plenty of educational games and activities scheduled daily. To see what’s going on during the day of your visit, please check the calendar for event times and descriptions.

How long does a visit to the Children’s Museum take?
There is no exact answer to this question, but visiting the Museum takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your child’s age.

• The Tot*Spot is an area specifically designed for toddlers ages two and under. This interactive fun-filled wonderland offers tots the opportunity for exploration, discovery, experimentation and wonder within four distinct areas.
• The Tot*Spot also has stroller parking for easy stroller storage and a one-stop spot for great take-home activities and parenting resources. 
• Young children also enjoy the Farm to Market, where they can shop for groceries like Mom and Dad and “milk” Effie the cow.
• Plus, there are weekly early childhood activities. Join a CMH Early Childhood Educator, available for questions on the areas of development for tots of all ages during Toddlers Take Over Tot*Spot every Wednesday from 10:15 – 11 a.m.

I’ve been thinking about getting a membership to the Children’s Museum, but am not sure whether I should get one. Do you have any suggestions on what to do to make sure I will enjoy the Museum?

Museum Memberships are a great way to enjoy your experience at the Children’s Museum. Members receive all sorts of benefits from FREE year-round admission to discounts in the Gift Shop and parking to invitations to special members-only events. The best thing to do (especially if you have never visited the Museum) is to check out all exhibits and programming offered on the day of your visit. If then at the end of your visit, you have enjoyed your time at the Museum and would like to purchase a membership, what ever admission paid that same day will be applied to the total cost of the membership. If you would like to buy a membership, please visit the Admissions Booth before it closes at 5:45 p.m. for the day’s admission to be applied to your membership purchase. Please note: admission already paid will be applied to membership balance if purchased on the same day only. Click here to view Membership benefits.

Can I host my child’s birthday party there?
Yes, but only Museum Members will be allowed to host birthday parties at the Children’s Museum. If you would like to become a member or learn more about birthday parties, please call the Membership Department at (713) 535-7238. Parties are usually booked 4 to 5 months in advance.

• Hamburgers, cheeseburgers and veggie burgers
• Corn dogs, hot dogs, pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches
• Grilled chicken Cesar salad, Cobb salad and fruit salad

Where does the Museum get its support? Can I make a donation?
The Museum is supported by income generated by usage fees and generous contributions from Houston’s philanthropic community. Approximately 45 percent of the operating budget is earned through admissions, memberships, rentals and concessions, while 55 percent is contributed by corporations, foundations and individuals. Approximately 86 percent of CMH’s operating budget is devoted to education and visitor services.

Any donation, whether great are small, is always appreciated. To make a donation, please call the CMH Development Office at (713) 535.7218 or support us online.  

Is there any other way I can support the Museum?
There are many ways to support the museum. The Children’s Museum greatly appreciates donations and volunteers. We believe volunteers are vital in supporting us to transform and touch the community. While having direct contact with children and families, our volunteers have an opportunity to express their passion for learning as well as shape the lives of our adults of tomorrow. Junior Volunteers must be between the ages of 14 and 17 years old to participate in the JV program and must contribute a minimum of 50 hours per JV session. Guild Volunteers must be over 18 years old and contribute at least 30 hours within one calendar year. Group Volunteers must have a minimum of five participants volunteer at least 4 hours per shift.

How do I book group reservations?
If you would like to book a Group Visit, please contact (713) 535-7238. Group rates of 15 people or more are $4 per person. If there are 15 or more children, two adults get in free.

Does the Museum have any discounts for low-income families?
The Open Doors policy ensures that any child or family who wishes to visit the Museum but cannot afford to pay the admission fee receives access to the Museum’s exhibits and programming. The policy is administered through the following activities:

• Open Doors passes are distributed to 540+ non-profit community agencies that serve low income families. These agencies distribute the passes to the people they serve. An Open Doors pass allows a family of six to enter the Museum free of charge.
• Open Doors passes are distributed to families and caregivers who participate in off-site or sponsored activities. These activities include a variety of special events, such as the tours and trainings conducted through our Adventures After School program and the Museum’s Family Adventures program, a program which offers facilitated tours to families whose children attend selected Title I schools. The passes allow the families to come to or return to the Museum at their leisure.
• Open Doors admission is granted to persons who enter the Museum and request free or discounted admission due to an inability to pay the standard admission fee of $5.
  

Is the Museum handicap accessible?
Yes, the Children’s Museum is handicap accessible. All hallways, exhibits and restrooms are handicap accessible. Those requiring assistance or parents with strollers wishing to reach the second level of the How Does It Work? exhibit may use the wheelchair/stroller lift. Visitors wanting to use the lift should visit the Admissions Booth for a lift key, but must leave identification at the booth.

Is the Museum expanding?
Yes, the Museum plans to double its exhibition space, expand community outreach programs and create the Institute for Family Learning in order to meet the increasing demand for child-centered learning at the Museum and throughout the community. The expansion will create an additional 39,000 square feet and renovate existing exhibits, increasing the quality, scope and reach of the Museum’s bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibits and programs. The expansion will be complete by March 14, 2009. Visit the Children's Museum expansion page to learn more about the Museum’s exciting expansion plans.