Plan Your School Visit

Education experiences at the National Museum of Play® are available for students in pre-K through grade eight from October 3, 2011 through June 15, 2012. See individual lesson descriptions or Theme Day options for specific dates and times. School visits to the museum are by reservation only.

Call 585-263-2700 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. to register or inquire about your school visit.

Pricing

Students can learn ALL DAY for one great low price!

  • $7.50 per student ............. School lesson with full-day admission to the museum
  • $6.50 per student ............. Theme Day or Monday Kicks program with full-day admission to the museum
  • $4.50 per student ............. School lesson only (does not include full-day museum admission)

Add $1 per student if you book Meet the Butterfly Guys or Debate FUN-damentals.

Add $1 per student if you add a train or carousel ride.

Chaperons beyond those required in the 1:5 or 1:3 ratio pay full admission.

Adult chaperons required

Adult chaperons are required to accompany students on museum visits. Adult chaperons must be at least 18 years of age. For kindergarten through grade eight, one adult chaperon is required for every five students (1:5 adult-to-child ratio). Pre-K classes may bring one chaperon for every three students (1:3 adult-to-child ratio). Classroom teachers are admitted free with each class. Chaperons fulfilling the required 1:5 or 1:3 adult-to-child ratio are admitted to the museum free of charge and may enter the butterfly garden with the students if the class is scheduled for a butterfly lesson.

Adults beyond the required 1:5 or 1:3 ratio, who are not members, pay full admission. Both member and nonmember adults beyond the 1:5 or 1:3 ratio have the option of entering the butterfly garden with students for an additional fee.

Chaperons may not bring children other than the students they are supervising on the school visit. While in the museum, chaperons are responsible for the behavior of the children in their care.

Lunch reservations

Join us for lunch! Advance reservations for lunch seating are required for all school groups planning to eat at the museum. Lunches may be brought by students or ordered in advance from food court vendors on a menu designed specifically for school groups. Lunches ordered from the food court will be delivered to a space reserved for your students in the school lunch room. Groups of 10 or more planning to order from the food court must preorder their lunches at least two weeks prior to their scheduled visit. Please note that groups not registered for a school program may not reserve lunch space.

Download a lunch menu or call 585-263-2700 for more information.

Payment

Lessons

Cash, check (made payable to The Strong), money order, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card) may be used to pay for the entire group when you arrive for your lesson. Please consolidate payments for lessons into a single transaction. If you prefer to be billed, you must provide the museum with a copy of your purchase order. (See prices below.)

Lunch

Payment for school lunches must be made separately from payment for school lesson fees and may not be billed. If not paying with cash, please consolidate payment for your group’s lunch order into a single check or charge transaction. Please put lunch payment into a separate transaction and submit with lunch order form. Do not combine with lesson payment.

Need funding assistance?

There are two ways to apply for funding assistance:

  • Transportation funding of $125 per bus is available to a limited number of classes in Monroe County through the Ruth D. Maurer Memorial Fund, established in memory of long-time museum volunteer Ruth Maurer. Demonstration of need is required. For more details, call 585-263-2700.
  • If your school participates in the BOCES Arts in Education program, your lesson costs may be eligible for state aid. Please contact Young Audiences of Rochester at 585-530-2060 for more information.

Before your trip

  • Discuss your plans and your schedule with all chaperons and students prior to your visit. This helps everyone know what to expect.
  • Create name tags. This will help personalize your visit.
  • Review museum guidelines.

Museum guidelines

Please review the museum guidelines before your visit.

  • Chaperons must stay with their group of children while at the museum, and are responsible for the safety and behavior of those children.
  • Chaperons must immediately report any emergency or child separated from their group to a museum staff member.
  • Be considerate of other guests in the museum.
  • Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibits. They can damage exhibits and artifacts.

Special needs

Museum education staff can help you with arrangements for groups with special needs and interests. For more information, please call 585-263-2700.

Transportation

Transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the visiting school. The museum is close to many downtown bus routes.

Directions

All school buses must enter the museum campus through the school group entrance located off Pitkin Street. After unloading, buses will be directed to the designated bus parking area. Parking is free.

All school groups arriving by car or on foot must enter the museum through the main public entrance. Parking is free.

Please print out a map.

In case of an emergency

Museum security staff is certified in First Aid and CPR. If you need assistance, please notify a host (identified by their guest relations shirts, black pants, and museum name tags) or a security officer.

One Manhattan Square
Rochester, NY 14607
585-263-2700