Open Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day! Museum Hours: Monday – Sunday; 10 am – 5 pm
Go to the home page
HOME Toggle mobile menu
Go to the home page
HOME

Accesibility Programs

At CMOM, we believe every New Yorker and every child deserves to explore and enjoy the transformative world of art and play. We’re dedicated to ensuring that economic challenges or differences in ability never stand in the way of a joyful, enriching experience. Through inclusive admissions partners, flexible membership options, and thoughtfully designed exhibits and programs, we work to remove barriers so all children can participate fully in our programming. Our mission is to nurture the creative spirit and development of our city’s youngest minds, making access to the arts a reality for everyone.

Admission & Membership Programs

a group of children and adults sitting on a big green dragon

Free and Reduced Admissions

We have always been committed to providing access to our exhibits and programs to all New York’s children, regardless of socioeconomic status. We participate with a wide variety of programs including Museums for All, Cool Culture, and exchanges, local Libraries and more. To learn more about these programs, how to qualify, and to get access admission, check out our page with all the admission opportunities.

 

Discounted Admissions
woman with a child on either side playing the drums

Need-Based Membership

In addition to our partnership with Cool Culture, we work with community-based organizations (CBOs) and New York City agencies to provide low-income families with access to the Museum’s cultural and educational resources through discount and free Museum memberships.

Among the groups with which we’ve partnered are the New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Education, Department of Correction, and the Department of Homeless Services.

Access For All

The photo shows an image of Alphie, CMOM's green talking dragon in the exhibit PlayWorks.

Our Museum Space

At our museum, every child is welcome. Our goal is to provide access to all children—those with and without disability—and this philosophy guides us. We design our physical space, exhibits, and learning levels with disability inclusion in mind, ensuring that children with disabilities can engage fully through tactile, visual, and auditory experiences. We work closely with local schools to provide guided group visits that emphasize disability inclusion.

We’re also proud to offer our award-winning Children’s Museum Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities. Developed with funding from the Noble Trust and in collaboration with experts in learning and disability, this guide is a valuable resource for families and caregivers, helping them navigate our PlayWorks™ exhibits and make the most of every visit.

Disability Guide in EnglishDescargar la guía
Children ready to play at the water table at the Children's Museum of Manhattan.

Our Digital Committment

We believe digital accessibility is just as essential as an accessible physical space. We’re committed to continuously enhancing our digital content so that every parent, caregiver, and family can effortlessly access and plan their visit to CMOM, ensuring a seamless experience both online and in person.

Sign-Up for Email
Two girls in blue smocks smile at the camera as they play in CMOM's H2O water exhibit.

Inclusive Learning Through Play

Since 2010, CMOM has proudly partnered with the NYC Department of Education’s District 75, welcoming students on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities into the Museum through a dedicated enrichment program. Students from the Mickey Mantle School participate in thoughtfully structured visits led by CMOM educators, designed to support sensory needs and encourage communication and social development. Each session follows a consistent routine, helping children feel safe and confident as they explore exhibitions, create art, and engage in music, movement, and storytelling. For many of these students, CMOM is one of the only external environments they’re able to visit, making this program a powerful and transformative experience that fosters access, inclusion, and joyful learning.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.