What Exhibits and Activities Can Families See at CMOM?

Updated

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) on the Upper West Side offers hands-on exhibits and programs built for children ages 0–6, spanning arts, science, and culture. Families can explore named exhibits like PlayWorks™, Adventures With Dora and Diego, Inside Art, Dynamic H2O, and a Superheroine La Borinqueña installation, plus daily experiences, public programs, and ongoing early childhood classes. Every exhibit is designed with purpose, guided by research, and developed with expert advisors in early childhood learning.

What Exhibits Can Families Explore?

CMOM's exhibits are built to support cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development through play—not just entertainment. The museum lists these exhibits:

Exhibit What It Offers
PlayWorks™ Hands-on learning space for young children
Adventures With Dora and Diego Character-based interactive exploration
Inside Art: Create, Climb, Collaborate Art-making combined with physical play
Dynamic H2O Water-focused interactive exhibit
Right to Vote Installation: Superheroine La Borinqueña by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez Art installation tied to civic themes

Each is designed specifically for children ages 0–6, so the content and scale suit early learners rather than older kids.

What Daily Experiences and Programs Are Available?

Beyond the standing exhibits, CMOM runs:

  • Daily Experiences — access to unique public programs and activities that bring learning to life through play
  • Classes — immersive, ongoing early childhood education classes for deeper learning

These rotate, so what's available on a given day may differ from the exhibits. The museum's "What's Happening" section is where current programs are listed.

Community Programs Worth Knowing About

CMOM also runs programs that extend beyond a typical visit:

  • Families in Temporary Housing — through community partnerships, the museum brings arts education, early childhood development, and joyful learning to children and caregivers living in temporary housing
  • Family Connections — hands-on workshops and learning hubs at Rikers Island that support family relationships impacted by incarceration

These aren't drop-in exhibits, but they show the range of what CMOM does for NYC families.

How to Plan Around What You Want to See

  1. Check the "What's Happening" section for current daily experiences and programs before your visit.
  2. Decide whether you want a single visit or a membership—CMOM notes that members get unlimited visits plus perks like early access on the first Saturday of every month.
  3. Use the Plan Your Visit page for logistics and tickets.

If your child is within the 0–6 range, the exhibits and classes are all designed for them. If you're looking for a specific exhibit or program, confirm it's running on your visit date, since daily experiences and public programs change.