Children's Museums

The New Children’s Museum

Name: The New Children’s Museum
Address: 200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, San Diego, CA, US
Telephone: (619) 233-8792
Rating: 4.5

★★★★☆ 4.5 (3356 reviews)

📍 200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

📞 (619) 233-8792

🌐 www.thinkplaycreate.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–4 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	9 AM–4 PM
Thursday	9 AM–4 PM
Friday	9 AM–4 PM
Saturday	9 AM–4 PM
Sunday	9 AM–4 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About The New Children’s Museum

Hands-on artwork & creative play spaces. From creative classes to climbable sculptures, contemporary art for kids, in a bright, modern space. Features Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, a brand-new creative hub designed as a contemporary art space specifically for children, teens, and all ages with hands-on workshops and art-making activities. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,356 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Children's Museum
Best For: Kids, teens, and all ages
Highlights: Artopia Creative Studios, hands-on art workshops, interactive installations
Hours: 9am-4pm, 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays)
Membership: Yes, membership programs available

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Features Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, a brand-new creative hub designed as a contemporary art space specifically for children, teens, and all ages with hands-on workshops and art-making activities
⭐The museum includes a Materials Lab where visitors can explore metal and other materials through creative play, representing a specialized STEM-art integration approach
⭐Features climbable sculptures and interactive art installations, including a slide connecting floors, designed specifically for hands-on exploration by children across multiple age groups
⭐Offers comprehensive birthday party services with dedicated party coordinators, reserved parking, optional setup/decoration/cleanup services, and personalized keepsake books for celebrants
⭐Open 6 days per week (closed Tuesdays) with rotating art installations and special events like the Woodswoman: Earthseed exhibition and seasonal summer camps with limited enrollment

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Visit early on Saturday mornings or weekday mornings to avoid crowds and have a more enjoyable experience with hands-on exhibits like the Clay Studio and Artopia creative studios.
💬Purchase tickets online in advance to skip the line at entry and go directly into the museum.
💬Plan for 2-3 hours minimum for your visit across three floors of activities. The Clay Studio, Artopia creative hub, and Wobbleland (ages 4 and under, max 10 people) are popular hands-on highlights that require time.
💡For babies and nursing parents, there is a dedicated nursing nook available in the museum. Wobbleland also offers a shoe-free environment for toddlers ages 4 and under with a 10-person capacity limit.
💡Check the Museum Calendar and Visit page before going, as hours vary and special events like Mass Creativity Day offer free admission with additional activities and food trucks.