Curated For Kids: 2016-2017 Ultimate Guide To Museums In NYC

American Museum of Natural History

The AMNH’s newest exhibit, “Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World,” invites naturalists of all ages to explore the world of “crocodilians”—a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials—starting May 28. Visitors will learn about crocodilians’ evolutionary history, behavior, and relationships with human societies through engaging interactives. Kids will be thrilled by the live animals—including the endangered Siamese crocodile, the American alligator, an African dwarf crocodile, and an African slender-snouted crocodile. Measure your strength against a crocodile’s, learn how to speak “croc” and get up close to a model of Gomek, the largest crocodile ever exhibited in the Western Hemisphere. amnh.org (Image via amnh.org)

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Head to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a kid-friendly lesson in urbanism. At their “Our City” exhibit (open through September 4), visitors are challenged to think about what it means to be a neighbor and what makes a neighborhood, as children have the opportunity to take on the roles of urban planners, artists, architects, and visionaries. Through works by contemporary artists, the exhibit hopes to instill a sense of agency in visitors and encourage reflections about New York City’s continuously evolving landscape. brooklynkids.org (Image courtesy Brooklyn Children's Museum)

The Brooklyn Museum

Visitors to the Brooklyn Museum can enjoy a little extra guidance from an app—ASK Brooklyn Museum! It’s available for download in the iTunes app store and is free for all museum visitors.  Users can ASK questions or start a conversation about a work of art with a team of art historians and educators who know the museum collection, can help answer questions, and give users recommendations on what to see next. Because ASK gives visitors the ability to communicate in real time with the Museum’s Audience Engagement experts, it allows the Museum to provide a tailored, on-site educational experience. It’s great for kids & families, students, and more! The app has been available in iOS devices since 2015, and as of this April, it’s now available on Android devices. brooklynmuseum.org (Image via brooklynmuseum.org)

Children’s Museum of the Arts

There’s lots to look forward to at the Children’s Museum of the Arts these days! Their newest exhibit, “Game On!” presents works by contemporary artists who explore sport and how we play in our everyday lives through a variety of media, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography from May 31-September 4. They’ll continue their cultural festival series this summer with a Nordic Cultural Festival on June 12, which will celebrate the culture and artistic traditions of countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Finally, stop by their free arts outpost on Governors Island this summer, which will be open every Saturday and Sunday starting Memorial Day weekend, and feature workshops, collaborative artworks, and interactive installations. cmany.org (Image: Christin Rose, "She Plays We Win 2," 2016; Image via Children's Museum of the Arts)

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

If you haven’t checked out CMOM’s exhibit, “From America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far,” stop by this summer—it’s an amazing multimedia installation that allows children to explore the diversity of Muslim cultures around the world. Designed for children ages 2-10 and their families, “America to Zanzibar” is divided into five different sections that immerse children in various Muslim cultures. For example, at the Global Marketplace, kids can browse goods from around the world, and experiment with navigation techniques in the Trade Routes area. The museum is hosting a wide range of workshops, programs, live performances, and festivals throughout the exhibit’s run—visit their website to see what’s coming up next. cmom.org (Image courtesy Children's Museum of Manhattan)

The Guggenheim Museum

Be sure to catch current exhibition, “A Year With Children,”  presented by the Guggenheim’s arts education program, Learning Through Art (LTA) on view through June 12.The annual presentation shows works by students in grades 2-6 from 12 public schools who participated in LTA during the 2015–16 school year, representing each of New York City’s five boroughs. More than 100 creative and imaginative works, including collages, drawings, found objects, installations, paintings, poems, and prints are on display. Beyond “A Year With Children,” the Guggenheim offers Second Sunday Tours for families, led by museum educators; Stroller Tours for caregivers and their families one Tuesday per month; and Open Studios every Sunday afternoon, where families can create works of art inspired by the museum’s collection and current exhibitions. guggenheim.org (Image via guggenheim.org)

Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

In celebration of “Star Trek’s” 50th anniversary, the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum will host “Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience,” an interactive exhibit that will immerse visitors in the Star Trek world from July 9-October 31. Experience life as a Starfleet Academy cadet while attending the Academy’s Career Day in the 26th Century, check out many of the TV show’s original costumes and props, use voice recognition to communicate with a Klingon, and more. In addition, the Intrepid Museum will host a number of “Star Trek”-themed public programs to commemorate the 50th anniversary, including movie nights, themed Operation Slumbers (the Museum’s popular overnight experience), education programs, two Trek-focused weeks of summer camp, themed Astronomy Nights, and more. intrepidmuseum.org (Image via intrepidmuseum.org)

The Jewish Museum

Join the Jewish Museum for Mizrahi Mondays this July. On July 11, 18, and 25, from 1-4pm, ages 3 and up are invited to participate in Studio art projects inspired by the colorful world of fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, whose work in on view in the "Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History" exhibit through August 7. Kids can design vibrant costumes, create whimsical accessories, experiment with fabrics, and more. thejewishmuseum.org (Image via jewishmuseum.org)

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met opened its new contemporary art space, the Met Breuer, this past winter—and is inviting families to come explore! Family Tours at the Met Breuer occur on the second Saturday of the month from 11am-12pm and 2-3pm. Designed for families with children ages 3-11, the tours encourage kids and parents to share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. Space is limited to 25 and is first-come, first-served. You can get your tour ticket from Museum staff members in the Met Breuer lobby. metmuseum.org  (Image by Filip Wolak; Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Museum of Arts & Design

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) recently launched MADMakes, an art-making initiative where visitors can learn techniques from the residents of the Museum’s artist studios, and test their skills at art making and creative production. These workshops are available for all ages and interests, and there is one coming up on May 20. Be sure to check out “Studio Job MAD HOUSE,” by the quirky Dutch-based design studio, Studio Job, on display through August. madmusem.org

Museum of Chinese in America

During  “MOCACREATE: Lights! Camera! Design!,” visitors can go behind the scenes and explore 3-D models of Ming Cho Lee’s one-of-a-kind set designs! Investigate how he uses space, color, and light to tell a story. Then make your style come to life by designing a stage model of your own using cardboard, cellophane, yarn, and more. Don’t forget to make your mark on the MOCA stage. Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and local artists, MOCACREATE explores different themes every first and third Saturday of every month from 1-4pm. And it’s free with museum admission! MOCA’s latest exhibit, “Stage Design by Ming Cho Lee,” is a retrospective of celebrated and influential set designer Ming Cho Lee that features original scale models, sketches, and photographic reproductions. mocanyc.org  (Image via moca.org)

Museum of the City of New York

Get animated at the Museum of the City of New York’s newest exhibit, “Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs,” open through October 9. Born in Brooklyn, Chast has documented the trials and tribulations of everyday life in more than 1,200 cartoons published in The New Yorker, several illustrated children’s books, and her award-winning 2014 visual memoir, "Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?" The exhibit features more than 200 of her works, accompanied by family programs such as book-making and more. mcny.org (Image via mcny.org)

Museum of the Moving Image

Young gamers will love the Museum of the Moving Image’s newest exhibit, "Arcade Classics," a video game exhibition on view May 21-October 9. Featuring more than 40 classic arcade games—all available for play—released between 1972 and 1993 from the Museum’s archives. Games will include the first video arcade game “Computer Space” (1971), “Asteroids” (1979), “Space Invaders” (1978), “Ms. Pac-man” (1981), “Donkey Kong” (1981), and many more. movingimage.us (Photo by Brian Palmer / Museum of the Moving Image)

New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science’s Brick Fest Live is coming up on June 18-26. Kids, adults, and families can get inspired, educated and entertained with LEGO bricks at this ultimate LEGO fan experience. Visitors can play with huge attractions built to set their imaginations free and witness mind-blowing creations made entirely of the timeless toy. Best of all, it’s free with NYSCI admission! nysci.org (Photo by David Handschuh)

New-York Historical Society

Have you ever seen a 400-year-old book up close? At the New-York Historical Society’s special program, “Folios Inside Out: The Book Behind the Cover” on Saturday, June 11, kids ages 8 and up (along with their grown-ups) will spend an afternoon with chief conservator Alan Balicki. Families will go behind the scenes to the N-YHS’ on-site conservation lab, examine a 17th-Century folio, and see in-process treatments of authentic documents (folio construction, restoration of tears, treatment of brittle paper, washing of documents, resewing of books, and more). After the lab visit, families will create and sew their own basic folio to take home. The program is put on in conjunction with the arrival of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which will be on display at the New-York Historical Society from June 7-July 17. nyhistory.org (Image courtesy New-York Historical Society)

New York Transit Museum

Kids who are fascinated by the subway won’t be able to get enough of Train Operators School at the New York Transit Museum! On every Sunday in May ages 10 and up can drop by the New York Transit Museum’s Computer Lab to take control a NYC subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track using some incredibly realistic software. The program is free with museum admission. web.mta.info (Image courtesy of the New York Transit Museum)

Onassis Cultural Center NY

Located in Midtown Manhattan, in Olympic Tower, the newly renovated creative space offers free experiences for audiences of all ages. The Center presents programs and exhibitions—from the scholarly to fun, hands-on events for families—covering everything from archaeology to contemporary visual arts, dance, film, literature, music, philosophy, theatre and the humanities. On view until June 18, “Gods and Mortals at Olympus: Ancient Dion, City of Zeus,” showcases mosaics, statues and other fascinating artifacts unearthed at Dion, never before seen in the USA, bringing the ancient city to life. Open Monday to Saturday and selected Sundays. onassisusa.org

Queens Museum

The Queens Museum offers free weekly Drop-in Family Art Workshops on Sundays from 1:30-4:30 pm, no advance registration necessary. These fun, educational workshops invite children ages 5-12 and their adult companions to take part in a shared learning experience that guide visitors into the museum’s  galleries and art studios. Themes are timed to coordinate with current exhibitions, holidays, and other current happenings at the museum. This summer, families are invited to enjoy their Passport Thursdays, the museum’s popular outdoor summer performing arts and film series features lively performances representing cultures around the world, family friendly films and art workshops July 14, 21, 28, August 4,11, and 18. And don’t forget—the second Sunday of the month is reserved for families! On Second Sundays, the museum offers families a mix of performances, art workshops and family and stroller friendly exhibition tours.  queensmuseum.org (Image via nycgo.com; courtesy Queens Museum)

Rubin Museum

Bring your family to the Rubin Museum on Sundays for family-friendly learning and activities. Visitors can make art in the Education Center, take a 2pm family exhibition tour, or explore the galleries on their own. Themes are tied to current exhibitions, and the program is recommended for ages 3 and up. rubinmuseum.org  (Image via rubinmuseum.org)

Staten Island Children’s Museum

Check out the Staten Island Children’s Museum’s new Garden Terrace, where children can listen to the sounds of nature, play an instrument made of natural materials, paint with water on stone surfaces, smell the flowers, learn about planting and how the museum feeds their living collection of bugs and arthropods, crawl through a log, play checkers under a living willow hut, watch the birds build nests, relax, and slow down and enjoy the quiet of a garden. The Terrace was created as a space for children to relax, reflect, and unwind. It’s open daily from 12-5pm Tuesday through Friday, weekends 10 am- 5 pm (summer hours begin June 29: 10am- 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday; Wednesdays until 8 pm in July & August). sichildrensmuseum.org (Image courtesy Staten Island Children's Museum)

South Street Seaport Museum

Ahoy! Young visitors to the South Street Seaport Museum can enjoy miniMates, their early childhood program for ages 18 months to 4 years and their parents or caregivers.During each hour and 15 minute session, children enjoy unstructured play time, music-making, hands-on learning activities, art-making, reading, and snack time, guided by a Museum Educator. Nautically-inclined families can also take a beautiful two hour sail around New York on historic 1885 Schooner Pioneer!  Sailing 6 days a week, it’s the best way to tour the island, without crowds, cars, and chaos, relax aboard the original way New Yorkers worked and traveled. Bring a picnic lunch or dinner, afternoon snack, beverage or delicious dessert as you enjoy your sail!  southstreetseaportmuseum.org (Image via southstreetseaportmuseum.org)

Whitney Museum of American Art

At the Whitney Museum’s Open Studio, families with kids of all ages can get creative in the Whitney’s Hearst Artspace! Held on Saturdays and Sundays, Open Studio invites you to try your hand at art-making projects inspired by a different work on view each week. This summer, explore the ideas and processes behind artworks in the exhibitions “Human Interest: Portraits from the Whitney’s Collection, Stuart Davis: In Full Swing,” and more. This drop-in program is free with Museum admission. whitney.org/families (Image by Andrew Kist courtesy of the Whitney)