Long Island Childrens Museum

Description

Checklist

Attraction Type:  museum, kid-friendly
Number of accessible spaces:  4
Location of accessible spaces:  near main entrance
Surface of lot:  paved
Distance to venue:  close
Transportation to venue offered:  na
Terrain:  flat
Places to rest:  bench outside entrance
Paths and walkways:  concrete
Location of accessible entrance:  main entrance
Doors:  several, street-level, single doors
Number of floors:  2
Elevators:  1
Ramps:  in "Climb It"
Steps and staircases:  to second floor
Width of aisles:  spacious throughout
Places to sit:  some seating on each floor
Location of restrooms:  ** on each floor
Type of restroom:  see comments
Ease of entry and exit:  OK
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  ***cafeteria on main floor
Friendliness of staff:  pleasant and helpful
Notes:  * Go to second traffic light after Cradle of Aviation, past LICM sign. Turn right into LICM lot. ** Multi-stall, accessible restrooms are located on each floor. An accessible, single-occupancy/family restroom is located on the main floor, near the "Tot Spot." *** Cafeteria allows outside food. There are some vending machines.

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If you have never taken a child to the LICM (Long Island Children’s Museum) you are both missing out on a wonderful experience. This museum has it “all”  for kids.

The aim of the museum is to “connect all of our communities’ children, and those who care for them, to one another and a life of wonder, imagination and exploration,” (website)  and they do an amazing job of it.   Everyone seems to have a terrific time.  This leaning space is “devoted to the busy work of play.” The state of the art theater is fully accessible,  including  a ramp directly onto the stage for wheelchair access. Next to the “Climbit” Exhibit is a ramp that gives the sensation of climbing even if one is in a wheelchair.  We walked up and really felt like we were climbing up hills. The  “Bubbles” exhibit is now fully accessible as well.  A wheelchair can easily access the area where you can make a bubble and be inside of it!

Fourteen hands-on interactive exhibit galleries reside in 40,000 square feet of a former airplane hangar, with a 145 seat state-of-the-art theater and 3 classroom learning studios. (website)

The  Museum is a hands-on museum for kids and their grown-ups.  You will find places to play, learn and have fun.  There are a great variety of things to keep children interested and engaged and the vast majority of them are accessible to all. This has been done in such an imaginative way that it isn’t even noticeable. All kids can partake of a myriad of activities, from block building and climbing, to bubbles, sound showers and a wood-working shop. There is a wonderful  musical instrument room as well as a place for kids to try performing. The Bubbles area is incredible!  In good weather there is an accessible, outdoor  sensory garden and activity area.

There are always new exhibits and things to do. Until May 12, 2024 the Eric Carle, “Hungry, Hungry, Caterpillar” exhibit is still there.  Amazing!  From May 25th until September 8th everyone can enjoy “Thomas the Train.”  And, from April 20th through June 23rd, “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus,” will be in the theater. There will be several sensory friendly performances. Don’t miss this. I saw it with my granddaughter last time,  and it was such fun!

Benches throughout allow parents, grandparents and caregivers to rest and still keep a close eye on the kids.

The cafeteria allows families to bring their own food, have a snack or lunch and then return to the hard task of playing.  Several vending machines have snacks and drinks.

A toddler area invites younger kids to try out different things. There is even a motorcycle that has steps to climb up so a little one can sit on the bike.

There is a comfortable mothers’ area for privacy while nursing.  This area has brochures with information mothers might be interested in. There is also a sensory room for someone needing a bit of a time out.

Getting to the Museum is not difficult.  When driving down Museum Row do not turn into the first entrance for the Cradle of Aviation Museum.  Go to the second light (just past sthe LICM sign and turn right into the paved parking lot.  You will find four handicapped parking spaces close to the museum entrance. This entrance has a single door, entryway and then another door leading to the spacious lobby and ticket counter. There is smooth concrete flooring throughout the building.

The two floor museum is fully accessible, with an elevator, as well as steps, to the upper level.  Multi-stall, accessible restrooms with baby- changing stations are located on both levels.  An accessible,  single-occupancy, family restroom is located near the Tot Spot. It even has an extra-long, changing station.

I love gift shops, and this one has some very interesting items.

We love this Museum. We think you will too!

As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to check a venue’s website, www.licm.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby