Group Visits
The Children's Museum is your summer connection to science and nature fun. Discover the world of science and nature through hands-on exhibits, live animals, science demonstrations, and explore the depths of space in the Travelers Science Dome, our digital full-dome planetarium. All this and more is included in your admission fee. Special discounted rates are available for 10 visitors or more.

Group Admission Rate
Adults and Children (ages 2 and above)
$10.00 per person

Group leaders, plan a memorable trip to the Children's Museum today! Special rates are available for 10 visitors or more.

Schedule a Group Visit
To schedule a group visit, email events@thechildrensmuseumct.org or call
(860) 231-2830, ext. 44. Our Registration Department can also help you pick the best planetarium show for your group. Please have alternate dates in mind as dates and shows fill quickly.

Special Summer Wednesdays 2010
Themed activities planned from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

June 30, The Insiders
            A Wednesday of Taking Stuff Apart
July 7, Spaced Out
            A Wednesday of Astronomy
July 14, The Dry Ice Age
            A Very Cold Wednesday
July 21, Lasers
            A Wednesday Kickoff to a Laser Show Summer
July 28, Happy Birthday, Conny!
            A Whale of a Wednesday
August 4, Splash
            A Very Watery Wednesday
August 11, When Animals Visit
            A Wild Wednesday
August 18, Egg Drop
            The Wednesday in the Grip of Gravity
August 25, TCM Fit
            A Wednesday About Your Health

After booking your reservation, you will receive a confirmation, touring information, and directions to the Children's Museum. For a successful field trip experience, please check the details on your confirmation as soon as it is received.

You can make changes or discuss concerns by calling (860) 231-2830, ext. 44 or by emailing events@thechildrensmuseumct.org.

You will also receive the following guidelines to help prepare you and your group for a fun and educational experience at the Children's Museum.

Arrival/Check-in Procedures

• Please call (860) 231-2830, ext. 44 if you are going to be late.
• Buses proceed halfway up the driveway to the main entrance.
• Leader checks in at the Admissions Desk at the Main Entrance.
• Children remain on the buses and continue to the bus parking area to await the leader's return.
• For check-in the leader should have:
  • confirmation form
  • accurate attendance numbers of children, chaperones, and additional guests
  • payment in full
• Leader returns to bus and informs everyone, particularly chaperones, about the day’s activities and time schedule (including when and where the group should meet for their show, if scheduled, and when and where everyone will regroup for departure from the museum.)
• The group enters through the Group Entrance gate at the rear of the museum. A staff member will unlock the gate once you check in.

Payment

• Cash
• Master Card or VISA
• Business or bank checks
• Purchase orders are not accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the registration manager.
• Museum memberships and special passes do not apply toward group admission fees.

Attendance Changes
We understand that group sizes fluctuate due to unforeseen circumstances.  It’s important to us that we offer a fair response to such situations, so we’ve developed the following guidelines.

• Refunds only apply to groups which have reconfirmed their attendance numbers at least 48 hours prior to their visit.  For overpayments of $50.00 or more, our accounting department will issue a refund check within three weeks.
• If you have not confirmed your attendance numbers and you have fewer participants than you originally registered, you are responsible for 90% of the total people booked.
• If you want to bring more participants than originally registered, contact the Registration Department.  Additions will be accommodated subject to availability.

Travelers Science Dome Reservations

• In order to accommodate all groups, we must adhere to the scheduled program times.
• Groups must meet for their Science Dome presentation 15 minutes prior to its scheduled time in the Travelers Science Dome Lobby.
• Late arrival will result in cancellation of your Science Dome presentation. We cannot guarantee available seating in another show.

Leader/Chaperone Responsibilities

• Please keep in mind that you will be sharing The Museum with other guests. We ask each group to show respect for other visitors, The Children’s Museum staff, exhibits, and animals.
• One adult chaperone is required for every 10 children.
• For ease in touring, we suggest breaking into small groups.
• Children must be supervised at all times.
• Organizations will be billed for intentional damage known to have been caused by an individual in a specific group.
• Undisciplined groups will be asked to leave and may forfeit their right to return.
• Backpacks may not be brought into The Children’s Museum.
• Use of cell phones and photography equipment in the Science Dome is prohibited.
• Please remember chaperones are responsible for the appropriate behavior of their group and are required to remain with their group at all times.

Safety Suggestions

• One adult chaperone for every 10 children is required.
• Each person should arrive wearing a nametag that includes the group’s name.
• First aid kits, not containing prescription medications, may be stored at the Admissions Desk while you tour. A nurse is not on duty at The Museum.
• Some days can be especially crowded. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of safety and good behavior with your children.

Lunch Arrangements

• Snack and drink vending machines are located in the Dino Cafe, a section of Excavation Station.
• Outdoor picnic areas are available but picnic tables cannot be reserved. Space is limited.
• Eating on your bus or in vehicles is necessary during inclement weather.
• Please leave lunches and backpacks on bus/in car.

Explore Store
Complete your visit with a trip to the Explore Store. Our gift shop has an irresistible collection of educational toys, plush animal toys, and novelty items. Please keep in mind that our gift shop is packed with wonderful items but is not very large. We recommend that only small, chaperoned groups shop at a time. For stress-free shopping, do not wait until the end of your trip to visit the Explore Store.

Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair access is limited to outside entrances. There are no elevators or ramps within the museum.