Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor: Family Outing

 

The grand opening last month was a realization of a dream 50 years in the making. Finally, never-before-seen collections moved out of storage and into public view in the historical landmarked building on the Snug Harbor campus. The new building opens many new opportunities for the Staten Island Museum to expand its curriculum, host events and workshops, build community, and ultimately open pathways to new thinking for visitors of all ages. The 83-acre campus of sprawling gardens is also home to the Staten Island Children’s museum and the Maritime museum—so families have plenty to explore and can easily make their visit a whole-day excursion.

 

A school group is impressed by a display of butterflies and (really big!) beetles that are on view in the Natural Science Collection, which also features plants, birds, geology, and archaeology.

 

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Every December the museum participates in The New Brighton Holiday Stroll, in which artists, craftsmen, and local businesses of the historical Snug Harbor cultural center set up shop for a holiday street fair, selling unique gifts and crafts.

 

School-aged children can attend Earth Camp, a popular natural science summer camp in the region, during which students conduct fieldwork in different regions of Staten Island. 

 

The Staten Island Museum hosts Super Science Saturdays on the third weekend of every month. Ten- to 12-year-olds have the opportunity to do experiments on different topics every month. Past topics have included Geo-wonders, where students learned about the geographical history of Staten Island and Rememer the Mastodon, where kids learned about why this creature is now extinct. 

 

On the second Sunday of every month the museum will open two hours early (10am-12pm) for Sensory-Friendly hours. Families with children with autism spectrum disorders have the opportunity to visit the museum in a safe and comfortable environment, with reduced crowds, light, and sound in the galleries. 

 

Free morning bird walks, led by a science curator, are a great way for parents of preschool-aged children and toddlers to get out into nature mid-week. Check for dates and times.

 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm

Suggested

 

Admission: $5 for adults: $3 for students and seniors; free for members and children under 12. This covers entrance to both the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor and St. George. There is a free shuttle bus from the Staten Island ferry terminal.

 

For more information: statenislandmuseum.org

 

RELATED: Children's Museums: Behind The Exhibits

 

Main photo: Elementary school students check out a display of local birds and their eggs in Natural Science Collection.