Museum Events

Sensory-Friendly Evening at the Museum: Winter Fun
Friday, Dec. 22 - 5-7pm

Join us for a special evening, which is free for families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing challenges. The Museum will be filled with holiday cheer as attendees have the chance to participate in a variety of winter-themed activities and crafts including beaded snowflakes, marshmallow snowmen, make an ornament, melting ice and snow slime. Participants can also choose to listen to a story and make an associated craft!

Free to attend. Pre-registration required.
This event is funded by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

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Winter Vacation: Wonka Week
Dec. 26-29 - 10am-4pm
Dec. 30 - 10am-2pm

Come join us in a world of pure imagination! We will be turning our Museum into winter candy wonderland to celebrate the new Wonka movie. Join us as we do candy experiments and construction, make top hats and golden tickets, and many more activities throughout the week! Become an inventor just like the great Wonka himself! Activities free with Museum admission.

Museum Classes

Little Scientists: Jurassic January
Classes start January 9

Time to march with the dinosaurs! Go back in time as we learn about what the world was like during the Jurassic period. Students learn about dinosaurs and the earth during this prehistoric time. We compare the sizes and habits of different dinosaurs, create an erupting volcano, dig for fossils, and even hatch our very own dinos! Tons of prehistoric fun all wrapped up into one exciting class!

- Five-week series of 1-hour programs
- Tuesdays, January 9 to February 6 at 10am
- For 3-5 year olds who are ready to attend alone
- $45 member, $75 nonmember, includes Museum admission for child
- Limited space available. Pre-registration required.

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Seasonal Science
Classes start January 11

Obsessed with the movie Frozen? Explore the world of ice and snow in this fun and engaging class! Discover the difference between solids and liquids, experiment with ice balls, find out what snow is all about. Learn all about the animals that live in this harsh climate, and create a “frozen” world of our own. Have fun in this chillingly exciting class!

- Five-week series of 1-hour programs
- Thursdays, January 11 to February 8 at 1pm
- For 3-5 year olds who are ready to attend alone
- $45 member, $75 nonmember, includes Museum admission for child
- Limited space available. Pre-registration required.

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Countdown to Noon Tickets Now on Sale!

Countdown to Noon
New Year's Eve, Dec. 31 - 10am-2pm
at the East Lyme Community Center

Ring in the New Year a little early with a 300+ balloon drop at noon! Join the Museum and East Lyme Parks & Recreation for southeastern Connecticut’s premier New Year’s event for children and families!

Start 2024 off with a one-of-a-kind experience! Wildlife Encounters of New Hampshire is coming to Countdown to Noon!

Children will squeal with excitement as they meet animals such as a serval cat, porcupine, and arctic fox, along with interactive animals such as a mini pig, pygmy goat, and giant rabbit.

In addition to our animal show at 10:30am & 12:30pm, we’re having our fellow community organizations come with some hands-on crafts and activities for all ages. Plus special guest appearances from Captain America & Black Panther!

The Rolling Tomato will be on hand with pizza to purchase. And you can savor the event for years to come with a photo from our photo booth.

STARLAB returns to Countdown!
Explore the stars with STARLAB, the Museum’s portable, inflatable planetarium. This 20-minute program leads you through a learning journey of the stars, constellations and seasons with some stories from Greek Mythology along the way.
For ages 6 and up. Additional fee/special ticket required. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. All parties must have a STARLAB ticket.

Members: $10 per person / $13 with STARLAB
Non-Members: $12 per person / $15 with STARLAB

Pre-registration required. No tickets will be sold at the event.
Limited tickets available.

Buy Tickets

Museum Food Drive

December Food Drive for East Lyme Care & Share

Join us in helping our community! During December, the Niantic Children’s Museum is hosting a food drive for our friends at Care & Share of East Lyme! Museum visitors that bring a non-perishable food item will receive $1 off Museum admission. (One item per person.)