The Children's Museum

Founded in 1927 as the Children’s Museum of Hartford, our museum is reaffirming its mission as a catalyst for science inspiration and learning amongst children aged twelve and under. On May 10, 2006, we changed our name to The Children’s Museum, with the tag line, "Igniting Curiosity Through Science and Nature."

The Children’s Museum is the second largest in the state and the fifth oldest children’s museum in the nation.

The Children’s Museum has flourished in its current Trout Brook Drive location since 1958, at which time it moved from its former home on Farmington Avenue. In addition to the museum itself, The Children’s Museum is comprised of the highly respected, science-curriculum based preschool, The Children’s Museum Preschool; Connecticut’s largest space theater, the Gengras Planetarium; the UTC wildlife; and our wonderful nature center, Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton. We are the only children’s museum in the nation that has such a wide range of distinct science and nature-based offerings.

Some of The Children’s Museum’s exciting permanent exhibits include:

-United Technologies Wildlife Sanctuary, a habitat of over seventy exotic animals from around the world
-Kid’s Corner, the newly renamed and refurbished area for our youngest visitors
-Idea Zone, a collection of interactive and fun learning stations, including the world’s largest walk-in kaleidoscope
-Planet Cyber, a computer lab offering adventures with technology
-Turtle Town, where over twenty turtles, terrapins and tortoises live
-The region’s largest Foucault Pendulum
-The space-related Star Station One™ Gallery
-The Explore Store, where you can find that special educational memento to take home.
-Last year, The Children’s Museum served more than 200,000 students, families and groups through its exhibits, programs and activities.

In partnership with universities, government agencies, and school districts, the Museum is an active partner in several statewide education initiatives, including the water quality environmental program, Project SEARCH, the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, and the CONNECTICUT NASA EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE.

The Museum also offers a wide range of outreach programming to schools and community organizations throughout the state, as well as teacher training programming about various inquiry-based science learning techniques.