School Visit FAQs

Orientation – A Museum staff member will lead your group in an orientation that will highlight the installations and activities you will engage with and provide basic guidelines and safety rules for your visit. Groups are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visit to allow for unloading and check-in. Your tour starts promptly at the scheduled time.

Self-Guided Museum Tour – Your 2-hour tour will consist of a self-guided visit throughout the Museum. During your orientation, you will receive a tour guide Play Book to support your experience and provide information about the installations to explore and visit. For safety and experience reasons, not all areas of the Museum are accessible to self-guided groups, including our Studio Workshops and our Paint + Clay Patio.

 Note: This type of tour is encouraged for groups that want to explore at their own pace. 

Create & Play Visit – This 2-hour tour is led by a Teaching Artist and consists of a 1-hour highlights tour of the Museum installations with a chance to engage in discussion and play with the various artworks as well as 1-hour of artmaking. Students will create their own open-ended art projects inspired by installations in the Museum!

Note: Tour groups are limited to their 2-hour session time and may not return to the installations after tour time is complete.

We recommend one chaperone for every five students. A 1:1 ratio is acceptable for groups with special needs or Head Start programs. A Teaching Artist is on hand in guided tours to provide a tour of the spaces, but chaperones and classroom teachers are responsible for the behavior of their group and any necessary discipline or class management. Chaperones are expected to support the School Visit and assist students in remaining attentive and engaged. 

All payments are accepted upon arrival on the date of your tour. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. Checks should be made payable to The New Children’s Museum. We can also invoice your school or organization if needed.

You may also pay ahead of time by contacting our Education Team at eduaction@thinkplaycreate.org.

If you must cancel your tour, please do so at least 14 days in advance. No shows and last-minute cancellations may be denied future visit requests.

Yes, groups may eat in the park across the street from the Museum. The park includes a swing and grassy area. If students bring their lunch to eat after the tour, we will collect them to store while your group is on the tour. We ask that you do not send your students with money.

Downtown San Diego

200 West Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101

Click on these links for more information on additional parking in the area or public transportation via San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

School bus drop-off: Direct your bus driver to drop off students on Island Avenue in front of the Museum before the cross walk and the Museum entrance. This is the only designated bus parking location.

Chaperone car parking: The Museum’s on-site parking garage has a daily rate of $20 per vehicle. It is located on Front Street just south of Market Street. Proceeding south on Front Street, after crossing Market Street you will see Richard Walkers Pancake House on the right hand side; turn immediately into the driveway past the restaurant and turn right again into the underground parking garage. Metered parking is also encouraged as the garage is subject to reach capacity.

Follow links for more information on additional parking in the area, public transportation via San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and detailed directions.

Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of a free pre-visit to the Museum to become familiar with the Museum’s layout, visit our website to view our current installations.

The New Children’s Museum is always offering something new! During your visit, the Museum may close specific installations for construction. Tours will not be refunded for such closures. Guided and Self-Guided visitors will be advised on alternative options for play.

Please fill out or School Visit Request form to request a visit.

For additional questions contact the Education Department at education@thinkplaycreate.org.