Access Programs

Through the Museums for All initiative, visitors can present a WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or SNAP card and photo ID at the Welcome Desk to receive $2 admission for up to 4 people.

Museums for All, is a collaborative initiative between the Association of Children’s Museums and the Institute for Museums and Library Services that encourages families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.

We provide Museum memberships at a reduced cost for EBT/SNAP/WIC cardholders (from any state) and all dependents.

Download an application or visit Museum Front Desk to apply.

Our Museum maintains a partnership with Voices for Children and its CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program, granting free admission to children and CASA volunteers. To take advantage of our program, just come in to the Museum with your CASA identification card and your case child or children to enjoy a free day at the Museum. For more information contact us at education@thinkplaycreate.org.

San Diego Public Library cardholders can now reserve a free pass to visit the Museum for any specific date that we are open. The pass covers admission for 2 adults and up to 6 children (8 people total). Learn more about the pass and how to reserve here.

The Museum embraces military families and strives to provide an affordable, enriching place for them to feel appreciated and at home. When the Museum is open, we provide discounted admission to Adult military personnel.

As a participating museum in the Blue Star Museums program, we provide free admission to those currently serving in the United States Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard, US Public Healthy Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps) and up to five family members! This offer begins on Armed Forces Day, May 18, 2024 and ends on Labor Day, September 2, 2024. Eligible visitors must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC) or a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID) for entry.

Our military effort is sponsored in part by BAE Systems, the David C. Copley Foundation, the Epstein Family Foundation, G.A. Foster Legacy Foundation, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Bank and the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation.

The Museum participates with San Diego’s 40+ museums through the San Diego Museum Council to provide free and discounted access for San Diego residents and tourists. The Museum provides 50% off in February (during Museum Month) and free admission for kids in October (through Kids Free October). The Museum is also an active member of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) that nationally includes over 200 children’s museums. All Museum members receive 50% off admission at ACM member organizations across the United States.

We partner with social service and local organizations that share our passion for providing educational experiences with art. Through pARTners in Creativity, we host group visits at the Museum, and provide learning art kits that include standards-based lesson plans with a video tutorial and supplies for children and families. Organizations currently part of our pARTners in Creativity program include: Autism Tree Foundation, Camp Hope, Monarch School, Sensory Friendly San Diego, SDCC (San Diego Center for Children), STEP (Support the Enlisted Project), Voices for Children, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Words Alive and USO San Diego.

Please contact our education department at education@thinkplaycreate.org for more information about pARTners in Creativity.

pARTners in Creativity is made possible through generous support from BAE Systems, The Conrad Prebys Foundation, Samuel H. French & Katherine Weaver French Fund, Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, and Lockheed Martin. 

Thousands of children each year come for school visits at little to no cost through our School Visits/Title I Access Program. We also work with an increasing number of organizations who serve children with disabilities and other life challenges. See our School Visits page for more information.

Virtual School Visits are an online alternative to the Museum’s onsite school visits program. Our Virtual School Visit classroom kits include an online video tour of the Museum’s art installations and studio spaces with standards-based art activities and supplies, and are made free to educators at Title 1 schools. Learn more about Virtual School Visits here.

School and group visits are made possible by

California Arts Council, City of San Diego, The Conrad Prebys Foundation, David C. Copley Foundation, Dr. Seuss Foundation, The G.A. Foster Legacy Foundation, Samuel H. French & Katherine Weaver French Fund, Hervey Family Fund at San Diego Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Nordson Corporation, Qualcomm, The Rice Family Foundation, Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, U.S. Bank, The New Children’s Museum Board of Directors, and Gala Sponsors + Attendees.

The New Children’s Museum’s newest pilot program, Rx for Art + Play, helps low-to-moderate income families integrate literacy-based art and play into their daily routines, fostering children’s mental and behavioral wellness and familial wellbeing.

Partnering pediatricians are prescribing Rx for Art + Play to all children, ages three to five, at their annual well visits at three CPCMG clinics located in under-resourced San Diego communities within 10 miles of the Museum.

Rx for Art + Play is free and includes a literacy-based Art + Play kit for families to complete together, a year-long New Children’s Museum Family Membership for up to six people, and free parking during visits, creating an incredible opportunity for creativity and freedom of play for thousands of families.

Made possible by Github, The Parker Foundation, and The Dr. Seuss Foundation.