Museum Classes

Together Time: Make Way for Winter

Classes start November 14

Turkeys, fall leaves, and a snow day! Get ready for the winter with our series of activities, sensory bins, and crafts themed around the end of autumn and the start of the holiday season. Activities include candy cane slime, ornament making, turkey handprints, and more!

- Five-week series of 45-minute programs
- Tuesdays, November 14 to December 19 at 10am (No class on Nov. 21)
- For toddlers 18-30 months attending with caregivers.
- $45 member, $75 nonmember, includes Museum admission for child and one parent/guardian
- Limited space available. Pre-registration required.

Toddler playgroups are informal opportunities for toddlers to be part of a group. Each theme-based class emphasizes process and exposure to new and different materials, plus stories and a craft.

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Seasonal Science

Classes start November 16

Why do leaves change color? Learn the answer to this and more at our Seasonal Science class! Create a pumpkin volcano, make corn dance, make a snowstorm in a jar, and many more fun activities!

- Five-week series of 1-hour programs
- Thursdays, November 16 to December 21 at 1pm (No class on Thanksgiving)
- For 3-5 year olds, who are ready to attend alone
- $45 member, $75 nonmember, includes Museum admission for child
- Limited space available. Pre-registration required.

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Museum Events

First Friday Dollar Night

Friday, Nov. 3 • 5pm-8pm

First Fridays are Dollar Night Fridays! Come enjoy an affordable Friday night at the Museum. $1 per person over 12 months old. Pre-registration not required.

Vote for Museum Mayor

Tuesday, Nov. 7 • 10am-4pm

Who will win the Museum Animal Election and become Museum Mayor for the next year? Mr. Rogers the Tortoise; Jango the Bearded Dragon; the Bee Hive; the Hermit Crabs; and Loki the Leopard Gecko are all on the ballot! Come vote! Our candidates will be making appearances throughout the day. Free with Museum admission.

Veterans Day at the Museum

Saturday, Nov. 11 • 9:30am-4:30pm

A thank you to our service members! All veterans and family members admitted for free (up to 6 people) with valid veterans ID.

Sensory-Friendly Evening at the Museum:

Out of this World!

Friday, Nov. 17 • 5-7pm

Join us for a special evening, which is free for families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing challenges. Participants will soar into outer space and create several crafts including a chromatography planet, their very own constellation picture, a constellation viewer, and have fun with shapes by creating their own rocket artwork. Launch a foam rocket and your imagination by checking out our other sensory activities found throughout the Museum!

Free to attend. Pre-registration required.

This event is funded by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

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Countdown to Noon Tickets Now on Sale!

Countdown to Noon

New Year's Eve, Dec. 31 • 10am-2pm

at the East Lyme Community Center

Ring in the New Year a little early with a 300+ balloon drop at noon! Join the Museum and East Lyme Parks & Recreation for southeastern Connecticut’s premier New Year’s event for children and families!

Start 2024 off with a one-of-a-kind experience! Wildlife Encounters of New Hampshire is coming to Countdown to Noon!

Children will squeal with excitement as they meet animals such as a serval cat, porcupine, and arctic fox, along with interactive animals such as a mini pig, pygmy goat, and giant rabbit.

In addition to our animal show at 10:30am & 12:30pm, we’re having our fellow community organizations come with some hands-on crafts and activities for all ages. Plus special guest appearances from Captain America & Black Panther!

The Rolling Tomato will be on hand with pizza to purchase. And you can savor the event for years to come with a photo from our photo booth.

STARLAB returns to Countdown!

Explore the stars with STARLAB, the Museum’s portable, inflatable planetarium. This 20-minute program leads you through a learning journey of the stars, constellations and seasons with some stories from Greek Mythology along the way.

For ages 6 and up. Additional fee/special ticket required. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. All parties must have a STARLAB ticket.

Members: $10 per person / $13 with STARLAB

Non-Members: $12 per person / $15 with STARLAB

Pre-registration required. No tickets will be sold at the event.

Limited tickets available.

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Museum Food Drive

November Food Drive

for East Lyme Care & Share

During the months of November & December

Join us in helping our community! During the months of November and December, the Niantic Children’s Museum is hosting a food drive for our friends at Care & Share of East Lyme! Museum visitors that bring a non-perishable food item will receive $1 off Museum admission. (One item per person.)

Not sure what to donate? Please view the Care & Share wish list below.