Westchester Children's Museum

Key Highlights

• ✓Excellent staff communication, engagement, and professionalism for birthday parties (e.g., Shy and Emily mentioned by name).
• ✓Flexible birthday party arrangements, allowing guests to arrive early and explore the museum before/after the party room time without pressure to leave.
• ✓Highly interactive and engaging exhibits keep young children entertained for hours, focusing on STEM and Montessori-style learning.
• ✓Specific daily programs like sing-along time, story time, and movement classes are offered for 'littles'.
• ✓The museum features a bright, open, and clean environment.
• ✓Stunning water views from the museum enhance the experience.
• ✓Despite being 'massive', the museum reportedly never feels crowded, even with a full birthday guest list (e.g., 22 children).

Standout Features

• ⭐Dedicated party rooms (e.g., Party Room 1) that are easy to work with and allow for personalized decoration.
• ⭐Engaging and helpful staff who go 'above and beyond' to assist with setup, guide activities, and ensure events run smoothly.
• ⭐Extensive range of interactive, engaging, and educational exhibits focusing on STEM and Montessori-style learning.
• ⭐Daily programs including story time, sing-alongs, and movement classes for children.
• ⭐Stunning water views from the museum space.
• ⭐A clean, bright, and open environment that feels relaxing despite 'chaos from the littles'.
• ⭐The museum's size effectively manages crowds, preventing it from feeling 'too big' (where kids get lost) or 'crowded' even with many guests.
• ⭐Membership option available and highly valued by visitors, with multiple reviewers becoming members after their first visit.

Perfect For

Ideal For

🍎Food Policy

• • Eating and drinking allowed only in the designated cafe area, not in Exhibit Galleries (to prevent crumbs/spills and be mindful of food allergies).
• • Outside food, snacks, covered beverages (juice boxes, water bottles), and treats are welcome for birthday parties. No open cups or drinks allowed.
• • Alcohol is strictly prohibited on the premises for birthday parties and events.
• • Partnerships with local food vendors for birthday parties: Piazza Pizza in Rye, Cerbone's Bakery in Rye, Gotham Freeze in Hartsdale.
• • For field trips, students must bring their own bagged lunch if the lunch option is selected. No other lunch accommodations are provided by the museum for schools not selecting the lunch option.

🛡️Safety Policy

• • Rules for Safe Play and Code of Conduct apply to all visitors, staff, and volunteers, posted at the Museum entrance.
• • Grown-ups must supervise children at all times; Museum staff are not responsible for child supervision.
• • Walking feet with shoes are required at all times, except for Toddler Beach.
• • Be considerate of others, share space, and do not throw objects.
• • No climbing on any exhibits in the Galleries, including the Mist Tornado exhibit and the Pool Noodle Pixel Wall pegs.
• • Help keep exhibits in good condition by not leaving pieces on the floor and putting everything back where it belongs.
• • Diaper changes must be done in designated diaper-changing facilities, not on exhibit tabletops or Toddler Beach pads (for hygiene and safety).
• • Practice kindness, positive, kind, & respectful language; discrimination, aggression, or harassment are not tolerated.
• • Respect others' emotional and social boundaries.
• • Share toys and exhibits, take turns, and be careful around younger children.
• • Stay home if unwell; visitors with illness symptoms may be asked to leave and return when feeling better.
• • Handle exhibits with care and use 'yuck' bags for soiled objects. Notify staff if exhibits are damaged.
• • Shirts, shorts/skirt/pants and shoes are required (no bathing suits only in the Museum, even though it's near the beach; use Playland Beach locker rooms for changing).

📅Booking Policy

• • Admission tickets can be purchased at the front desk or online. Advance purchase is encouraged for faster entry.
• • The Museum is a cashless venue; credit cards only.
• • Members must present their Membership cards for check-in (digital card available at front desk or via info@discoverwcm.org).
• • Caregivers can be listed on memberships.
• • Birthday parties are booked directly through the website; confirmation email includes a Google Form for important logistics, which must be signed and submitted at least one week prior to the party, including the guest list.
• • Field trips require a booking period of 30 days in advance to hold a specific date (contact team for exceptions under 30 days, but not less than one week).
• • Field trip payment is required by online payment upon booking. Schools can use the 'Pay Later' option to send payment via check by the day of the trip. Purchase Orders accepted if school approves payment after the trip.
• • Event rentals: Email events@DiscoverWCM.org for information, pricing, and availability.

🚗Parking Information

• • Parking lots are owned and managed by Playland Amusement Park.
• • Winter/Spring: No fees. Parking in the small lot directly adjacent to the Museum (bear left at first traffic circle, immediate right into gated lot). Overflow parking in Playland Amusement Park’s main lot.
• • Summer: Fees are in effect. Park in Playland Amusement Park’s main lot and pay the attendant. Discover, Wonder, and FAM Museum Members receive a Summer 2025 Parking Card from the front desk.
• • Birthday parties (Summer): Host may park in the designated lot adjacent to the museum. Guests park in the Playland lot. Hosts can purchase parking passes at the time of booking for guests (number of passes corresponds to free parking vehicles; additional vehicles pay standard fee). Guest list (number of vehicles, driver/parent names) to be shared with Playland in advance.