The Museum hosts facilitated toddler programming every Friday morning with two sessions at 10am and 11am. Our toddler program values the whole child and supports healthy bodies and minds, with music, movement and social play for ages 5 years old and younger. It’s also free with admission.

Participation is first come, first served. Sessions limited to 20 children.

Location to change weekly – please check in with our Welcome Desk team to find out the theme and location of Toddler Time.

Toddler Time Programs

Story Time

Gather around to hear some of your favorite childhood stories. Story Time is an enriching and engaging experience that allows your child to hear stories from our Museum staff. This isn’t your typical story circle, however. The New Children’s Museum brings stories to life by enhancing the experience with bilingual stories, puppet shows, skits and much more.

Science + Nature

Dive into nature-based activities and explore the natural world together with your child. Families can enjoy science-centered games, stories and nature-inspired art-making adventures led by Museum staff. Take part in activities that allow your child to absorb the sights and sounds around them, like scientists, to learn new things through discovery and doing!

Art-Making

Get ready to play with art! Enjoy unique, toddler-centered art experiences led by Museum staff that allow your child to get creative. Explore different materials and media, including painting, printmaking, recyclables and more!

Music + Movement

Explore music and sound with your child! Families can sing, dance and play with instruments alongside Museum staff. Plus, design and build musical instruments from art materials, and explore the sounds they make.

Upcoming Toddler Times

Toddler Time at Home

Get ideas for toddler activities at home through our virtual Toddler Time at Home programming! We have over 50 blogs and videos that can be accessed below, with a new Toddler Time at Home blog post each month.

Click here to access our Toddler Time videos and blogs!

August 20, 2021 – Fruit-Filled Friendship Yogurt

July 16, 2021 – Summer Splash Sensory Bins

June 18, 2021 – Monster Blanket

May 21, 2021 – Sensory Bottle Activity

April 30, 2021 – Energy Boosting Song with Songbirds Music

April 23, 2021 – Earth Energy Painting

April 9, 2021 – Egg Carton Caterpillar

April 2, 2021 – Recycle Box

March 26, 2021 – Story Time with Words Alive: Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

March 12, 2021 – Nature Dough

February 26, 2021 – Wind Chime Art

February 19, 2021 – Story Time with Katie Ruiz

February 12, 2021 – Love Bowl

February 5, 2021 – Pillow Hugs

January 29, 2021 – Quiet Transitions with Songbirds Music

January 22, 2021 – Kamala Harris Reads Superheroes Are Everywhere 

January 15, 2021 – Recycled Rocket

December 18, 2020 – Winter Sensory Bag

December 11, 2020 – Puppet Story Time with San Diego Public Library

December 4, 2020 – Cookie Painting

November 20, 2020 – All About Leaves

November 13, 2020 – Petting Zoo Activity

November 6, 2020 – Wet Chalk Painting

October 30, 2020 – Banana Bread

October 23, 2020 – Silly Rock Paintings

October 16, 2020 – Shadow Play

October 9, 2020 – Paper Bag Pumpkins

October 2, 2020 – Rainsticks

September 25, 2020 – Story Time with the Padres: Pig the Pug

September 18, 2020 – Toddler Trail Mix

September 11, 2020 – Coffee Filter Butterflies

September 4, 2020 – Transitions Song with Songbirds Music

August 28, 2020 – Creamy Popsicles

August 21, 2020 – Leaf Bubbles

August 14, 2020 – Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

August 7, 2020 – Story Time with the Padres: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

July 31, 2020 – Preposition Obstacle Course with Words Alive

July 24, 2020 – Chalk Painting

July 17, 2020 – Story Time with Words Alive

July 10, 2020 – Backyard Scavenger Hunt

July 3, 2020 – (Almost) Ready-To-Go Instruments

June 26, 2020 – Super Simple Smoothies

June 19, 2020 – Father’s Day Activities

June 12, 2020 – PBS Kids Read Along with Christian Robinson of You Matter

May 29, 2020 – Sing Along with Songbirds Music

May 22, 2020 – Story Time: Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

May 15, 2020 – Story Time with the Padres: 1, 2, 3 by Dr. Seuss

May 8, 2020 – Water Painting

May 1, 2020 – Sights + Sounds: “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Sing Along with the Padres

April 24, 2020 – Story Time with the Padres Friar: Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

April 17, 2020 – Making Salt Dough

April 10, 2020 – Story Time: It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr

April 3, 2020 – Homemade Pasta Bead Necklaces

March 27, 2020 – Sights, Sounds and Textures: Ice + Spice Activity

March 20, 2020 – Introducing Toddler Time at Home

Visiting During Spring Break?

It’s Spring Break and NCM will be busy now through April 14. Click for some tips to help you plan for and enjoy your visit!