Public Programs
At the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, there’s always something new to explore! Designed for children ages 0 – 6, our hands-on programs encourage creativity, learning, and play through art, music, science, and storytelling, all rooted in research-backed methods that support early brain development. From ever-changing themed activities to PlayWorks, our dedicated space for our youngest visitors, every experience is designed to engage children at the right developmental stage. With a rotating schedule of interactive programs, there’s always a reason to visit and discover something exciting!
PlayWorks Schedule:
Daily programs for our youngest learners 0 – 4, with activities changing regularly on weekdays and weekends.
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am: Circle Time
- 11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Mural Wall or Messy with Art
- 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm: Special Daily Program or Mural Wall
- 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm: Messy with Art
- 4:00 pm: Alphie’s Goodbye Storytime
Check out our latest schedule and book your tickets today. Be sure to sign-up for our newsletter and check back often—to stay up-to-date as new programs are added regularly! Each program is drop-in unless marked with an asterisk after.
New Experiences Every Month:
April Programming
Move to the Rhythm
Thursday – Tuesday, April 23 – 28 & Thursday, April 30
Close out April with creativity in motion! Inspired by dance and jazz, this week invites families to respond to rhythm, sound, and movement through art.
Drawing Little and Big Art
Thursday & Friday, April 23 – 24; Tuesday & Thursday, April 28 & 30 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, April 25 – 26 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Experiment with different drawing tools as you draw on papers of varying sizes. How do your movements change as you fill the different sized papers?
Sculptures in Step
Thursday & Friday, April 23 – 24; Sunday, April 26; Tuesday & Thursday, April 28 & 30 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday, April 25 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Create dynamic sculptures and celebrate the art of movement!
Music and Marks: Jazz Music
Saturday, April 25 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Listen to a mix of newer jazz songs as well as standards! Sing and dance along to some familiar tunes and make drawings inspired by new favorites.
Alphie’s Storytime: Miles Davis Was His Name – So What
Sunday, April 26 | 4:00 pm | Ages 3 & up | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Join author Louise Rogers for her Musical Storytime focused on Jazz Legend Miles Davis. Using Louise’s original lyrics to Miles Davis’ groundbreaking piece,
“So What”, and colorful illustrations by artist Francis Hsueh, young readers are inspired to learn about this visionary jazz trumpeter, composer, and innovator.
International Jazz Day Dance Party!
Thursday, April 30 | 4:00 pm – 4:25 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Grab a bubble wand and tap your wiggles out to classic upbeat jazz sounds, honoring jazz the best way we know how: by dancing!
World Wish Day 2026
Wednesday, April 29
World Wish Month is celebrated each April, culminating on April 29, to honor the anniversary of the inspired the Make-A-Wish movement and frequent CMOM partner Make-A-Wish America.
Collective Star Mural with Make-A-Wish
Wednesday, April 29 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Make a wish upon a star and add it to our collective mural, in honor of Make-A-Wish Day!
Watercolor Wishes
Wednesday, April 29 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Use a paintbrush to create a watercolor dream scene.
May Programming
Festival & Folktale in Southeast Asia
Friday – Sunday, May 1 – 3
Art becomes a stage this week as children explore movement, performance, and celebration through playful building and character-making. Materials come together to spark scenes full of energy and imagination. Join artist Sonjie Feliciano-Solomon for a special sculptural workshop!
Silhouettes in Silk: Costume Design Studio
Friday & Sunday, May 1 & 3 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday, May 2 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
The ao dai and ao gam are elegant costumes worn for special occasions, school, and work worn by Vietnamese communities. Using textured and shiny paper and fabric, create a unique 3D costume inspired by the detailed patterns, flowers, and designs of these traditional clothes.
Filipino Inspired Banig Mat Weaving
Friday, May 1 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, May 2 – 3 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
In the Philippines some people sleep on woven mats called Banig. Use strips of colorful foam paper to weave your own mini Banig mat!
Guest Artist: Gratitude Flower Sculptures with Sonjie Feliciano-Solomon
Saturday, May 2| 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages| 1st Floor | Inside Art
Sonjie Feliciano Solomon is a Brooklyn-based artist and mother of three whose work is based on the patterns and elements found in nature which calm and ground us. With a background in industrial design and fine art, she creates both sculpture and two-dimensional work. Join her for a spring family gratitude project where you can create a sculptural floral artwork. We invite you to name something you are thankful for each day and write it on your flower or draw a picture of it as you connect with your family about gratitude. By the end of the week, your plant will be blooming!
Ink, Light, and Intention in East Asia
Tuesday – Friday, May 5 – 8
This week invites families to slow down and explore art as a moment-by-moment experience. Through water-based painting, experiment with how marks appear, change, and disappear.
Water & Stillness: Buddha Board Painting
Tuesday – Friday, May 5 – 8 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Create beautiful but temporary art using a brush to form strokes of water that disappear on Buddha Boards. Watch as the water fades into the board and make a new piece in its place!
Japanese Inspired Still Life Flower Painting
Tuesday – Friday, May 5 – 8 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Flower arrangement is a celebrated art form in Japan. Look at the flower arrangement in the middle of the table and paint what you see!
Parents' Day
Saturday & Sunday, May 9 – 10
Celebrate Parents’ Day at CMOM all weekend long. Join us as we rejoice the grown-ups who nurture, guide, and love us!
Hearts in Bloom Bouquets
Saturday & Sunday, May 9 – 10 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Make blooming 3D heart bouquets to share love and joy. Write a kind message to a grown-up you love!
Parents Day Card Making
Saturday & Sunday, May 9 – 10 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Test out the textures of different drawing tools as you draw a loving picture for a special grown-up in your life!
Land, Ocean, and Design in the Pacific Islands and Central Asia
Tuesday – Friday, May 12 – 15
Draw inspiration from movement across land and sea! Explore repeated shapes, natural tones, and designs that reflect homes, journeys, and shared spaces.
Tapa Cloth Totes
Tuesday – Friday, May 12 – 15 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Tapa cloth is a versatile fabric frequently used for everyday needs, special occasions and gift-giving on the islands of Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, and Tahiti. Design a functional tote bag featuring traditional, intricate patterns inspired by this cultural staple and a color palette reflecting the deep blues and greens of the ocean.
Masi Art Stamping
Tuesday – Friday, May 12 – 15 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Masi is a pattern style used on textiles in Fiji. Press stamps into ink pads then apply the designs to a piece of fabric to create a Fijian inspired textile!
Getting ready for the World Cup
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 – 17
Which team will you be rooting for in the World Cup? Show your team spirit by creating merchandise for your favorite team! Play and dance along with our guests, TBA. Our World Cup Programs continue in the first week of June.
Guest Programs
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 – 17 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Join us for special morning programs with guests, TBA!
Go Team, Go! Hats
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 – 17 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Doodle your own team hat!
Scoring Style Jersey Design
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 – 17 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Which team are you rooting for during the World Cup? Use art materials to add your design to a paper jersey and show your team spirit!
Pattern, Power, and Story in South Asia
Tuesday – Sunday, May 19 – 24
Explore art forms that you can catch on the Bollywood screen or on your travels across South Asia using vibrant repetition, lively colors, and meaningful symbols.
Rolling Art: Truck Design
Tuesday – Sunday, May 19 – 24 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Explore bright colors, floral patterns, mirrors, and decorative lettering inspired by South Asian truck art found throughout parts of Pakistan and India. Create a bold 3D truck model filled with joyful detail!
Lights, Camera, Action! Bollywood Dress-up
Tuesday – Friday, May 19 – 22 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, May 23 – 24 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Film is an important industry in India. Make your Bollywood debut by exploring and trying on costume materials inspired by the vibrant colors and textures found in Bollywood costumes.
Memorial Day: Growing Wings of Peace
Monday, May 25
This Memorial Day, explore themes of remembrance, gratitude, and hope through the symbol of birds and wings with us. Together, we’ll reflect on how even small acts of kindness and big dreams for peace can lift a whole community.
Messages That Soar
Monday, May 25 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Write or draw hopes for peace on a paper feather and add it to our giant wing wall! Words become something that can “fly,” sharing messages of peace and community.
Paper Doves of Peace
Monday, May 25 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Decorate a paper dove using tissue paper and drawing tools. Add your completed dove to our growing mural of peace or take it with you!
Eid al-Adha
Tuesday – Friday, May 26 – 29
During Eid al-Adha, Muslim communities around the world come together to gather, share food, and support those in need. Explore these themes this week by sculpting celebration meals and creating charity boxes to honor the spirit of giving.
Together at the Table Clay Sculptures
Tuesday – Friday, May 26 – 29 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Eid is a time when families gather and share special meals. Create pretend feast plates using collage materials and clay!
Eid Charity Boxes
Tuesday, May 26 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Wednesday, May 27 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Thursday & Friday, May 28 – 29 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Eid al-Adha is celebrated with family, meals, and acts of kindness to remind us of sharing and caring for others. Decorate a charity box to collect items or messages for people in need.
Geometry, Silk Roads, and Design in West Asia
Saturday & Sunday, May 30 – 31
Explore how repeating shapes and careful construction can create striking visual rhythm as we look at design from West Asian countries. Our Eid al-Adha celebration continues with author M.O. Yuksel!
Read-Aloud and Artmaking with Author M.O. Yuksel: Sami’s Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story
Sunday, May 31 | 10:30 am & 11:30am | Ages 3 & up | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Join Author M.O. Yuksel for a special Eid al-Adha read-aloud! In this story, protagonist Sami is getting ready to celebrate. But this year is different without his grandpa. A touching picture book about kindness towards others around this special holiday. After the read-aloud, stay for a special craft session with the author and CMOM educators.
Persian Pattern Design
Saturday, May 30 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Sunday, May 31 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Create colorful tiles using bold color combinations influenced by traditional motifs and historic Persian architecture.
Turkish Tile Paper Mosaics
Saturday & Sunday, May 30 – 31 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Use different drawing tools to decorate paper squares. Attach the squares to a large piece of paper to create a beautiful Turkish inspired mosaic!
June Programming
World Cup Wonder
Tuesday – Sunday, June 2 – 14
Celebrate collaboration, favorite teams, and work together as we make art that celebrates the start of the World Cup! Enjoy a performance from our partners at Capulli Mexican Dance Company and create your own World Cup Superhero with renowned Comic Book Artist and CMOM Exhibition Artist, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, and join us for movement activities that center your athleticism!
Tiny Teammates
Tuesday – Friday, June 2 – 5 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday & Sunday, June 6 – 7 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Create your own paper soccer field along with mini players and score epic goals with a mini soccer ball!
Team Spirit Banner Decorating
Tuesday – Friday, June 2 – 5 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, June 6 – 7 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
What colors, numbers, and letters represent your favorite team? Use art materials to decorate a piece of fabric that shows your team spirit!
Performance and Workshop: Capulli Mexican Dance Company
Saturday, June 6 | 10:30 am & 11:30 am | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Description coming soon!
Workshop: Make Your Own World Cup Superhero with Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, Kyung Jeon-Miranda, and La Borinqueña!
Sunday, June 7 | 11:00 am – 11:45 am & 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Ages 4 & up | 3rd Floor | Discovery Classroom
La Borinqueña is an original superhero who appears in graphic novels and in the installation on the second floor of CMOM! Her powers are drawn from the history and mysticism of Puerto Rico. Join her creator, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, and Teaching Artist Kyung Jeon-Miranda in a hands-on workshop where families will create their own superheroes inspired by where they’re from, family stories, or their favorite World Cup team!
Finger Puppet Mascots
Tuesday – Friday, June 9 – 12 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday & Sunday, June 13 – 14 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Learn about the 2026 World Cup Mascots and make your own team mascot finger puppet to cheer your team on!
Kickin’ Shapes: Collage and Stamping
Tuesday – Friday, June 9 – 12 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, June 13 – 14 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Explore the shapes of soccer! Use shape stamps to transform a circle into a soccer ball. Add collage materials around the soccer ball to make a soccer field.
Colors of Pride
Tuesday – Thursday, June 16 – 18; Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30
Celebrate and uplift the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community through programs created to spark Pride, foster community, and self-worth!
Pop-Up Pride Flag
Tuesday – Thursday, June 16 – 18; Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Get your painter’s cap on and engineer an upcycled giant Pride flag on a huge canvas! Stack and build a rainbow sculpture of found objects and recyclables in fun and imaginative ways.
Tying Colorful Hand Kites
Tuesday – Thursday, June 16 – 18; Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Which colors represent you? Tie or tape different colors of ribbon to a ring. Watch the ribbons dance in the air as you hold your kite and strut with pride!
Juneteenth
Friday, June 19
Come celebrate Juneteenth with us by creating collaborative fun art projects that honor Black Joy!
Artist Workshop: Juneteenth Zines with Lillian Young*
Friday, June 19 | 10:30 am – 11:15 am; 11:30 am – 12:15 pm; 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm; 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | *Sign-up | Ages 5 & up | 3rd Floor | Discovery Classroom
Join us for an exciting day exploring Juneteenth with artist Lillian Young! Her Black Elder Archive features a portrait of Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth.” Learn more about Lee through art, readalouds, and video: then create your own zines with textured paper and markers.
Life in Harlem Community Mural
Friday, June 19 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Jacob Lawrence’s art tells stories of hardship, strength, and hope. Create and collaborate on a community mural inspired by his lively pictures of life in Harlem and the fight for civil rights as we celebrate the diversity of our community.
Drawing My Community Picnic
Friday, June 19 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Who is in your community? Celebrate those you love by drawing details onto people-shaped cutouts and gluing them onto gingham patterned paper to have a celebratory picnic!
Parents' Day
Saturday & Sunday, June 20 – 21
Celebrate Parents’ Day at CMOM all weekend long! Join us as we create thoughtful gifts and think about the special grown-ups in our lives.
Faces I Love Clay Gallery
Saturday & Sunday, June 20 – 21 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Who makes you feel safe, happy, and loved? Sculpt a clay portrait inspired by that special grown-up and use a metallic frame to create our mini appreciation gallery.
Mini Canvas Painting
Saturday & Sunday, June 20 – 21 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks Classroom
Unleash your inner artist by mixing colors together to make new ones! Paint your colors onto a mini canvas and gift your painting to a special grown-up in your life.
Proud to be Me!
Tuesday – Sunday, June 23 – 28
Tote-ally Proud of Myself
Tuesday – Friday, June 23 – 26 & Sunday, June 28 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday, June 27 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Decorate a tote bag with patterns, textures, stencils, and colors of the rainbow that represent who you are and what you love inspired by LGBTQIA+ pioneers.
Rainbow Sorting Sensory Bin
Tuesday – Friday, June 23 – 26 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, June 27 – 28 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Sort, arrange, and play with different textured and colored objects. No matter how the objects are arranged, you are sure to create a rainbow of colors!
Pop-Up Pride Flag
Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Get your painter’s cap on and engineer an upcycled giant Pride flag on a huge canvas! Stack and build a rainbow sculpture of found objects and recyclables in fun and imaginative ways.
Tying Colorful Hand Kites
Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Which colors represent you? Tie or tape different colors of ribbon to a ring. Watch the ribbons dance in the air as you hold your kite and strut with pride!
Public Programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City.
Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by The Nissan Foundation and the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation.
