INSIDER'S GUIDE TO KIDCITY

Here's a list of newbie questions, advice and general stuff we want you to know about visiting Kidcity.  Some bits are repeated elsewhere on this website, and some just couldn't fit anywhere else but here.

Really, no strollers?

We’re sorry to lead with the bad news, but we don’t allow strollers past the coatroom.  The exhibits in the museum are just too small for strollers plus playspace, and we had to make a choice for safety’s sake! If you have a disability or special need, please let us know so we can make an exception.

CAN KIDS OVER age 7 come to Kidcity?

We don’t recommend bringing kids over age 7 to the museum. Kidcity is an “early childhood” space and most of our visitors are younger than age 5. Please read this about our age range before you plan a visit with an older child. Thank you!

Why reservations?

We ask everyone to get a reservation so we don't have to turn folks away at the door, which can happen if we’re busy or closed for any reason. The reservation system helps us make sure everyone has enough room to play and knows what to expect at the museum. On most days, it’s easy to get a same-day reservation but you may want to plan ahead for holidays and rain. If you have any trouble with the system, please let us know, so we can help!  We're at (860) 347-0495 or by email at director@kidcitymuseum.com.

What if I'm running late?

Your reservation is for an entry time, but don't worry if you have an unexpected delay — we will hold your spot if you are running late.  On the other hand, we do ask that visitors don't come *before* their arrival time, because that can affect crowding at the museum.  If you've got a special situation, call or email so we can help!  

What if I need to cancel?

If something comes up, you can move your reservation to another day. There are two options: there's a modify button on your confirmation email (look for one from "booxi.com" and note this option only works if your appointment time has not passed.)  The other option is to call or email, even if you missed the appointment time, and we'll send you paper passes that don't expire so you can make a new reservation without charge when you're ready to come play.  We know that life with little kids is unpredictable and we want to help you use your tickets when it's good for you!

How do I use cash or passes or a Downtown Middletown gift card?

You can reserve a visit to Kidcity without making a payment online. Click the “Book Now” button on the home page and then choose the “Other Admission” option. When you arrive, you can use your paper passes or pay in cash or use your Downtown Middletown gift card.

Can I purchase a Gift Certificate to Kidcity?

We don’t sell gift certificates to the museum, but we do accept the Downtown Middletown Gift Card. Your gift recipient can use the gift card to reserve and purchase admission to Kidcity, and also use it at nearly 100 shops and restaurants in the Main Street area. Plan the amount of your gift based on Kidcity’s admission (currently $13 for each person age 1 & up), or choose an amount that can also be used for other treats in the neighborhood. There’s a full list of participants at DowntownMiddletown.com. Purchase ONLINE or in person at our neighbor, Amato’s Toy & Hobby.

lunch or snack…what are the options?

Feel free to bring snacks from home or pick up something to eat on nearby Main Street! You can serve food in one of our three snack areas: choose from the small indoor area off our coatroom, or under our outdoor truss, or on our porch, which has a heating option in cold weather. (Please don’t use these areas for private birthday party celebrations). Food and drink and water-bottles are not allowed in the museum exhibit areas, but we do have filtered water/cups in the museum. Your ticket is good until closing time, and some families enjoy stepping out for lunch to one of the many options with walking distance of the museum….SO many options. Plan ahead by checking out the complete listings at DowntownMiddletown.com or see our own suggestions listed here.

THE TODDLER SEA CAVES

This exhibit is in the basement and is limited to age 2 & younger. In this one area, we don’t allow older siblings, meaning kids age 3 & up. We want babies and early walkers to have one room without any older kids. We apologize that visitors who come with older and younger kids will have to skip the basement, unless there is an extra adult to bring the little one to the Toddler Sea Caves. The upper floors of the museum are also designed for toddlers, so they will find plenty to do upstairs! The Sea Caves is the only area of the museum where we ask all visitors (adults and children) to take off their shoes, and we do provide clean socks if you don’t have your own!

WANT TO AVOID A CROWD?

Kidcity uses a timed entry system with reservations — this is so we can be sure there’s always room to play. Even so, some moments are busier than others, and sometimes a room will get pretty busy (though there’s always a quieter spot somewhere else in the museum). Generally, our peak times are: weekends, holidays/school vacations, and weekday mornings. It’s also busier at Kidcity on any day when the weather is either too hot or too cold or too wet outside. If you would like to visit at a less-busy time, try a weekday afternoon or any time that the weather is just so beautiful in Connecticut that everyone else is at the playground!

Bathrooms & Conveniences

Kidcity has family-style bathrooms scattered throughout the museum, on all floors.  Each one has a built-in changing table to make diaper-time easy.  One of our bathrooms has a toddler-size toilet, and the rest have special toilet seats that flip to offer both adult and kiddie-size seating.

what about birthday parties and group visits?

Kidcity does not offer any birthday party or group visit options; we apologize that we cannot accommodate any of these events! Also, we don’t allow celebrations in our small snack areas, out of respect for others who use those areas. For more information and suggestions, click here. On the other hand, if you do happen to bring your little one to play on their birthday…be sure to mention it at the desk because there just might be a surprise for them!

Finding some Quiet

Sometimes little ones get over-stimulated or just need some one-on-one time with their grown-ups.  That’s why we have two Quiet Spots with a few books and comfortable seating. One of the Quiet Spots can be reached from the Main Street room and the other is off the hallway outside of Middleshire.  (Note:  Please be aware that other families may join you.  Also, food is not allowed in the Quiet Spots.)   

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO IN MIDDLETOWN?

If you are ever in Middletown and looking for something to do besides Kidcity, may we suggest that you visit our neighbors at Amato’s Toy & Hobby or the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (both off the same parking lot as Kidcity) or play in the excellent Children’s Room at Russell Library, a half-block away on Broad Street. Or you can explore the whole Main Street neighborhood (there’s a full list of terrific restaurants and shops at DowntownMiddletown.com.)

LEAVING KIDCITY

Some kids cry when it’s time to leave Kidcity!  That’s why we have free stickers at the front desk.  Some parents make a “Good-bye” ritual of coming to get a sticker on the way out the door, and it seems to help make the transition easier.   Also, the Lobby Train Set can help with good-byes.  It’s on a motion sensor that is triggered on the OTHER side of the train, so if the museum is quiet and you wait 30 seconds or so, the train will come to a stop.  When the train takes its nap, you and your little one can wave it good-bye and head out the door.

BREASTFEEDING AT KIDCITY

You are welcome to breastfeed your baby anywhere in the museum, but if you would like a place with fewer distractions, then try one of the Quiet Spots.  One is off the Main Street exhibit and the other is outside Middleshire.  They have comfortable seating, a few children's books and are open to anyone needing a bit of quiet.

Construction at Kidcity

We make all of our own exhibits at Kidcity, and we’re always building something. It might be big, it might be small, and it might mean that the room you want to visit is closed for exhibit construction! If you are coming to see a specific room, please call ahead to learn about any disruptions. Please be aware that we do have some maintenance cameras throughout the museum trained on interactive bits of our exhibits, so that we can address any malfunctions quickly.

Does Kidcity Make Donations?

For now, Kidcity has limited ability to donate passes for fundraising, but here’s the info for future reference: If you represent a non-profit or school that would like to request a few Kidcity passes to use in your fundraising, just send us a letter on your organization's letterhead.  Send it by email to manager@kidcitymuseum.com or by snailmail to Kidcity, 119 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457.  And good luck with your fundraising and the work you are doing!   

The Kidcity Bookstore

We have a small bookshop at the museum where we sell our absolute favorite children’s books & tshirts.  Generally speaking, we think there are few problems in the world that can’t be solved by a good read-aloud.  Here are a few of our top book suggestions and which Kidcity staffer loves them:  The Spider & The Fly (Sioux/operations);  Roxaboxen (Cait/retired); Seven Silly Eaters (Matt/exhibits); When Dinosaurs Came With Everything (Jen/admin); Possum Come a Knockin’ (Scott/exhibits); and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type (Carl/retired).  Plus, our bookstore sells temporary tattoos and Kidcity t-shirts for both adults and children, designed by the amazingly talented Scott Kessel, Kidcity’s Artist-In-Residence. By the way, if you can’t get enough books at Kidcity, there is a terrific bookstore just steps away, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (yes, run by the same folks as RJ Julia in Madison, CT). Check out their weekly storytimes!

People with Disabilities

Kidcity has an elevator which serves all floors of the museum, and there are ADA-compliant restrooms throughout the museum. There is also a wheelchair lift to access the second level of Middleshire, which requires assistance from the front desk. Most areas of Kidcity have a variety of activities which suit different levels of ability and mobility; our goal is that everyone can join the play of each room in some way. If you or your child have sensory issues and/or need a break, we do have a few "Quiet Spots" in the museum where you can re-group and then hopefully keep playing in the museum when you're ready.

Do you have MEMBERSHIPs?

We know that many families have enjoyed having a membership to Kidcity in the past, and we’re sorry to announce that we no longer sell memberships to the museum, as we expect to continue limiting our daily attendance. Please note that Kidcity is not part of any reciprocal museum networks.