Children's Museum of the Arts

Profile

More like a glorified playroom than a museum, this Soho space features 10,000 square feet of creative supplies—building blocks, crayons and paint, easels and chalkboards, a few musical instruments, and a computer. The loft-like ground floor includes an "open art" room moderated by teaching artists, while the flexible lower level houses a small library of children's books, a ball pond, and a party room that doubles as a classroom for summer camp programs. Convenience for caregivers is taken into consideration: Sinks for rinsing soiled hands abound, changing tables for babies are available on both floors, and a child-proof gate system ensures toddlers' safety. The museum is aimed at children ages 10 months to 15 years. Nursery school tots will be more likely to find playmates during the morning hours, while older students tend to come after school. Children have to be accompanied by adults, but this spot is genuine fun for grown-ups too (who hasn't daydreamed about painting the afternoon away in a Soho loft?). Just watch out for toddlers wielding paintbrushes and leave the fancy suits at home. — Steffani Jemison

A private room is available for rental (prices start at $860-$1400 for an un-catered party during museum hours). Museum-wide space rentals are also available.

Wee Drop-in Sessions
Arts sessions for children aged 5 and under are offered before general admission hours from 10:45 a.m.–noon and cost $25 per family, along with half-price general admission fees.