The New Children's Museum

09/02/2026

Heads up, NCM friends and family! 😁👋

The Museum will be closed September 8-11 for our annual maintenance week. Our team will be giving exhibits a refresh, sprucing up our spaces, deep-cleaning, and taking time for staff training to get ready for your next visit.

We’ll be back and ready to play on Saturday, September 12!

Thanks for giving us a little time to make sure NCM is extra safe, welcoming, and ready for more creativity and fun. 🎨🩷

09/01/2026

School visit registration is officially OPEN! 📚 🎉

Bring your students to The New Children’s Museum for an unforgettable field trip in Downtown San Diego! As a contemporary art museum for kids, we create opportunities for students to explore, create, and learn through hands-on art and play.

Choose the experience that’s right for your group:

🎨 Self-Guided Play Visit
Explore at your own pace and discover hands-on art installations and interactive experiences throughout the Museum.

✨ Guided Play + Art Visit
Take your field trip to the next level with a guided art activity led by our Teaching Artists, combining creative art-making with playful exploration.

School Visits Discounts Available 🤩🎒
We are happy to announce discounted rates for Title 1 or Head Start schools booking our Self-Guided Play Visits this year!

✉️ Questions? Our team is ready to help! Send an email to [email protected]

Ready to plan your visit? Book your school visit here: https://bit.ly/2026-school-visits-ncm

08/31/2026

This is your sign to throw your kid’s birthday party at NCM! 🎉✨

Let us help you make their big day extra special with plenty of play, creativity, and fun! Our birthday party team is here to help with setup, cleanup, and everything in between, so you can focus on celebrating. 🥳🎂

Ready to get the party started? Book your birthday here: https://bit.ly/3BUdHMz

08/28/2026

Member September is almost here! 🥳🎉

Starting September 1, we’re celebrating NCM members all month long! We’re highlighting favorite membership benefits, offering special one-time perks, and creating even more ways for families to think, play, and create together. Get ready for a month of member-only fun!

Here's what we have in store:
🔎 Pick up a View Finder and discover the Museum from a new perspective

🛍️ September 12: Get 20% off at Scenic Route during our Member Market

🎡 September 14–18: Stop by the Membership Table and spin to win fun prizes!

🎟️ Your membership includes reciprocal admission benefits at 200+ children’s museums across the U.S. and Canada through the Association of Children’s Museums. Learn more on our website.

And there’s even more member fun to come! Stay tuned for additional details throughout the month.

Not a member yet? Join today and you can join in on all the Member September fun! ✨

08/28/2026

The San Diego Union-Tribune recently stepped inside “Woodswoman: Earthseed,” to learn how science fiction meets San Diego flora throughout the exhibition. 🌱🚀
Created in collaboration with artist Saya Woolfalk (she/her), this immersive world invites visitors to explore giant acorn spaceships, fantastical plants, responsive sound and interactive play.

Read the full feature, then come experience “Woodswoman: Earthseed” for yourself!

Read here:

Sci-fi meets San Diego flora in The New Children’s Museum’s latest immersive adventure.

08/27/2026

The Museum store is back! 🛍️✨

Meet Scenic Route, our newly stocked Museum store, where you can take a little piece of NCM home with you! Browse a fun selection of toys, coloring books, art supplies, and NCM merch, including hats, shirts, magnets, and more. Whether you’re looking for a creative activity, a special souvenir, or a gift for your favorite little artist, there’s something for everyone!

Stop by Scenic Route during your next visit and find something fun to take home! 🎨💛

08/26/2026

A thousand cranes, folded with care. A tribute built together. 🕊️💛

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, our team came together to install a special origami crane installation created in partnership with Joey’s Wings. Each crane represents a child lost to cancer, creating a collective tribute that honors their lives and brings our community together through creativity, connection, and remembrance.

Join us in the Innovators LAB for an origami crane-making workshop! Learn how to fold your own crane and take it home as a reminder of the children and families this initiative honors.

🗓️ Join our upcoming workshops:
Sunday, August 30
Sunday, September 6,13, 20 & 27

Plan your visit to The New Children's Museum here: https://bit.ly/ncmvisit

08/25/2026

Tuesdays are never the same without you here 😭🩷

But don’t worry, we’re already looking forward to welcoming you back tomorrow! 💛 Come explore our interactive installations, get creative in Materials Lab, join us for Toddler Time or Story Time Studio, and so much more. Make memories, spark creativity, and enjoy a day of play with your kiddo at NCM! ✨🎨

08/21/2026

The circus came to The New Children's Museum! 🎪✨

We had a blast welcoming Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to The New Children’s Museum for a special pop-up performance. Our guests got a sneak peek of the incredible show and a little taste of the circus magic!

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway with Pechanga Arena for your chance to win tickets to see the full show performed live! 🎟️🤩

08/20/2026

What happens at The New Children’s Museum after the doors close? 🩷🎨

Yelp’s Art After Dark gave guests a chance to experience the Museum like never before. This 21+ event featured local vendors on every level, with delicious bites and drinks, art-making, a photo booth and plenty of opportunities to explore, connect and meet new people.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Yelp for bringing Art After Dark to the Museum!

Interested in hosting an after-hours event of your own? Visit www.thinkplaycreate.org/events to learn more.