Play Your Way
At the Galveston Children’s Museum, play is more than fun—it’s how kids learn, grow, and thrive. Every exhibit invites your child to explore freely, follow their curiosity, and try something new.
Whether they’re building, pretending, tinkering, or creating, children develop real-world skills through open-ended play. From teamwork and problem-solving to motor skills and confidence, each space is designed to spark joy, imagination, and lifelong learning—every visit, every time.
Follow Their Curiosity...
Click on a box below to read more about that exhibit—or scroll down to explore them all.
Our Town
Explore Galveston—kid style.
Hop aboard a fishing boat to reel in fish and blue crabs, deliver your catch to the market, or cook up a cheesy masterpiece in the brick oven at the pizzeria (sponsored by Mario’s Pizza).
Children can also care for plastic sea turtles in the Turtle Clinic, complete with scales, a measuring tape, and even a kid-friendly X-ray machine.
Coming Soon: A Lemonade Stand, part of a new experience inspired by National Lemonade Day—a youth entrepreneurship program that encourages kids to dream big and launch a mini business.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Imaginative play, empathy, real-world learning, early entrepreneurship
What Families Are Saying...
"My son loved the new Turtle Exhibit!"
“Wonderful museum for kids to play, explore, and use their imaginations... without a screen. The museum staff is amazing; always so helpful, and they keep everything clean. The new Turtle Exhibit is SO COOL!! My son loved it...I even wanted to play!!”
Brooke Dennis
"We spend 2-3 hours here every time..."
“Great variety of stations for toddlers and big kids. We can spend 2-3 hours here every time we visit. We love coming here... They have an art room, woodwork shop area for older kids, train station, doctor's office, pizza kitchen, fishing boat, Lego wall and so much more.”
C.H. Herrington
"Always feels new and exciting for the kids"
“Great for all ages! There are multiple play areas that range from infant and toddler-friendly through pre-teen. The entry fees are very reasonable... They frequently rotate crafts and activities at the museum, so it always feels new and exciting for the kids.”
Rachel Barski
Kids Clinic
Explore Galveston—kid style.
This rotating exhibit flips between a vet clinic and a people clinic. Kids can grab a lab coat and stethoscope, check on stuffed animals in cages, or take vitals and care for their “patients.” Even check in new patients via phone and computer.
Kids practice empathy, communication, and critical thinking as they role-play real-world caregiving scenarios—observing, deciding, and responding.
Whether they’re bandaging a stuffed animal or listening to a pretend heartbeat, each interaction helps build confidence, compassion, and a deeper understanding of how we care for others.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Role play, empathy, social interaction, communication, decision-making
Building Zone
Design. Stack. Experiment. Repeat.
Kids dive into ever-changing building challenges using interesting and fun materials like Lego walls, kinetic sand, magnetic cubes, and much more.
With rotating stations and child-height tables, there’s always something new to build—and a fresh way to think creatively. As they stack, shape, and test their ideas, children develop spatial reasoning, engineering thinking, and problem-solving skills.
It’s a space that encourages creativity through construction—fueling their imagination and confidence through every build and breakthrough.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Building, engineering thinking, spatial reasoning, motor skills
A Stroke of Genius
Make a mess. Make it meaningful.
Our art studio is more than paints and playdough.
Each month highlights a different artist or cultural theme (like Women’s History Month or Black History Month), paired with open-ended, child-led art inspired by that artist’s work.
Kids can paint, sculpt, even cross-stitch—then take their masterpiece home. Along the way, they learn to express themselves, explore new materials, and connect with diverse stories through art.
It’s a joyful space where creativity takes the lead—and every child feels like a true artist.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Creativity, cultural awareness, self-expression, visual storytelling
Tinker Workshop
Tools + imagination = endless invention.
Using materials like wood, corks, bottle caps, and recyclables, kids build anything they dream up—safely. With noise-canceling headphones and child-friendly tools, this space is ideal for tinkerers and sensory-sensitive kids alike.
As they create, kids strengthen fine motor skills, practice decision-making, and gain confidence in using real tools. It’s a great way to celebrate creativity and show kids that they’re capable of building something amazing all on their own.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Tool use (kid-safe and adult supervised), invention, sensory awareness
Explore & Discover
Ready to launch your ideas into motion?
Create parachutes to test in the wind tunnel, design your own marble run with magnetized ramps, or build a custom roller coaster.
This space encourages curiosity, testing, and joy through movement and experimentation.
Kids are free to follow their ideas, make adjustments, and try again—learning through hands-on trial and error. It’s a playful introduction to physics and problem-solving that builds confidence with every (fun!) experiment.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Scientific thinking, physics, trial-and-error learning, troubleshooting
Room to Grow
A soft play area for our youngest visitors.
Our toddler room is a calm, sensory-rich environment designed for early exploration.
Designed for ages 2 to 5, it offers soft play areas, a bubble tower, light table, and puzzles—serving as a peaceful calm-down space when needed.
Whether they’re crawling, climbing, or discovering something new, toddlers can safely explore at their own pace. It’s the perfect spot for little ones to build confidence, develop motor skills, and enjoy meaningful moments with their grown-ups.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Sensory development, early exploration, calm regulation
Rotating Exhibit Space
New discoveries, all year long.
This flexible exhibit area is always evolving—so there’s something fresh to see each time you visit.
From student-designed installations like our interactive light wall to seasonal displays and pop-up experiences, it’s a space for innovation, creativity, and surprise. Past features have included hands-on adventures like exploring the science of staying steady through balance, motion, and play.
Whether you're a first-time guest or a frequent visitor, you’ll always find something new to spark curiosity and inspire discovery in this exhibit.
Examples of skills learned in this exhibit: adaptability, curiosity, critical thinking, innovation, and more
Outdoor Exhibits
Fresh air + free play = happy kids.
Our shaded outdoor space includes water tables, large-scale building blocks, and plenty of room to explore, splash, and build. Perfect for movement, collaboration, and creativity in the sunshine.
Whether they’re teaming up to build a tower or experimenting with how water flows, kids stay active, engaged, and learn something new.
Enjoy open-ended play that supports physical development while sparking imagination and joy.
Skills learned in this exhibit: Physical coordination, teamwork, outdoor play, sensory exploration
