Children's Museums
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
📍 250 Thompsons Point Rd, Portland, ME 04102🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| 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 |
About Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
Hands-on learning for kids. Interactive kids' museum known for its camera obscura, also with science & job-related activities. Features a giant camera obscura exhibit, a unique optical device that projects real-time images of the outside world onto an interior surface. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,469 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Children's Museum
- Best For
- All ages
- Space
- Over 30,000 sq ft across 3 floors plus Outdoor Adventure area
- Highlights
- Interactive exhibits, Maddy's Theatre (longest-running children's theatre in the nation), MakerSpace Gallery
- Membership
- Family, Organization, and Scholarship memberships available
💡 Did You Know?
- Features a giant camera obscura exhibit, a unique optical device that projects real-time images of the outside world onto an interior surface
- Spans over 30,000 square feet of interactive exhibits across three floors, including dedicated MakerSpace Gallery for young artists and creators
- Hosts a Youth Playwriting Festival as a special event program, encouraging children to write and perform their own theatrical works
- Offers age-segmented play areas including a dedicated gated play space for infants and a separate 'Lighthouse' zone specifically designed for children under 2 years old
💬 What Visitors Say
- Bring a change of clothes for water play areas - kids get soaked even with aprons on, so plan accordingly to stay comfortable throughout your visit
- Plan for 2-4+ hours to fully explore all three floors and exhibits without rushing; the venue is large enough that kids can spend hours without getting bored across different activity zones
- Visit on weekdays or less busy times to avoid tight crowding inside - reviews mention the space becomes very congested when busy, making stroller navigation difficult
- Check the daily calendar of interactive activities before visiting to plan which shows and hands-on demonstrations to catch, especially the theater performances which are highly interactive for young children
- Consider a membership if visiting multiple times per year - reviewers note the admission cost is high but worthwhile for frequent visitors who keep kids engaged for hours across diverse exhibits
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