INSIDER'S GUIDE TO KIDCITY

Here's a list of newbie questions, nosy 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!

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 ($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 Kidcity or at our neighbor, Amato’s Toy & Hobby.

THE TODDLER SEA CAVES

This exhibit is in the basement and is restricted to age 2 & younger. In this one area, we don’t allow older siblings, meaning kids over age two. We want crawlers 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. (Note: the basement is not the ONLY area for age 2 & younger…they will find plenty to do upstairs!)

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 quiet 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 birthdays and groups?

Kidcity does not offer any birthday party or group visit options. We’re designed for family-style groupings to enjoy the museum, and we’ve learned the hard way that parties and groups don’t work well here. This is because even though Kidcity is a big building, the individual play spaces are small. When a larger cluster of people is moving through the museum together, it has a negative impact on other visitors. Also, we don’t allow celebrations in our small snack areas, out of respect for others. Our reservation slots are limited to 6 people total (if you have another one or two in your visit, just reserve an additional slot or drop us an email if you have any questions). 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.

ABOUT KIDCITY MEMBERSHIP

We know that many families have enjoyed having a membership to Kidcity in the past, and we’re sorry to announce that we will no longer be selling or renewing 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.