Miami Children’s Museum is an educational not for profit institution which is situated in Miami, Florida. The mission of the museum is to meet the needs of all children inclusively from all cultures. The museum is also known as ‘MCM’. The inside of MCM includes learning materials related to culture, community, communication and arts as well as programs and exhibits.
Visitors are encouraged to use their imagination, play, create and learn within the museum's walls. Dating back to 1983, the museum is now set across 56,000 square feet of space and spans two floors after several location moves. The design of the museum is based around the three world elements of fire, wind and water. Aside from the exhibitions there is a KidSmart gift shop, a 200 seat auditorium, a charter school, and a Subway restaurant. MCM has an admission fee for all apart from children under 1 and members. Discounts are offered for military personnel and veterans plus Florida residents. In order to enter, adults must be with children and children must be with adults, neither can be admitted separately. MCM is in the top ten largest children's museums in the United States.
Exhibits
There are many permanent exhibits within the museum and all of them are in line with the Miami-Dade County Public School curriculum. They focus on learning through play and offer a range of interdisciplinary experiences. All About Art is an exhibit which is open all year round aside from when the MCM Explorers Summer Camp is running. All About Art allows for children to create art with all kinds of materials such as clay and colourful paints. The events calendar on the MCM website lists what a visitor can currently expect from this exhibit.
The Bank of America interactive exhibit teaches children about money spending, saving and earning. In the exhibition is a piggy bank measuring six foot and touch screen activities testing math, fine motor skills and number recognition. A more physical exhibit is The Castle of Dreams which consists of a two story sandcastle, luminous sand, coloured glass and opportunities to climb and slide. The Cruise Ship exhibit sees a two level huge cruise ship with the first floor allowing children to experience play inside as a passenger and the second level allows for play as a crewmember.
The Baptist Children's Hospital Health & Wellness Center is an exhibit where children can undertake virtual sporting challenges such at the standing long jump station and vertical high jump station, testing coordination, agility and balance. For a sensory experience the Music Makers Studio allows children to explore visual, auditory senses and kinesthetic movements. This exhibition on the second floor contains music centered activities. The My Green Home Exhibit is a mini version of a modern south Florida house complete with hands on interactive components where children can learn about saving energy and the environment.
Other areas are the Construction Zone which allows for roleplay in working in a construction site with an operable crane, wheelbarrows and bulldozer to play with and Mt. MichiMu, a climbing wall. A popular attraction for parents and children is the Ocean Odyssey exhibit, a tank filled with tropical fish, coral and sea creatures. The Sketch Aquarium is an interactive digital experience where children can draw on the wall which appears as an aquarium.
Other exhibits are The Sea and Me soft play area with interactive features, the role play Safety Zone learning about emergencies and health and safety and the Publix Super Market where children can shop, work at the checkout and read the labels.
Ongoing programs and education
The museum encourages educators to book Field Trips which include educational tours of the exhibits, classes and additional upgrades and add ons. The field trips are available for Kindergarten ages to 5th Grade. MCM also offers an Outreach Program such as Dinosaur Exploration and Ocean Exploration. Within the museum is a licensed Pre-school: Early Childhood Institute who run a childcare program with educators on site in the museum’s classrooms. Also within the museum is the Miami Children’s Museum Charter School from Kindergarten to 5th Grade as well as other streams for gifted children and Spanish speakers.
Further programs are the Mommy & Me & After School Classes at the museum. The programs focus on social and cognitive skills as well as development and all types of thinking. Creativity and teamwork are key in these groups. Summer, Winter, Spring and One Day Camps are also offered throughout the year.
980 I Cswy, Miami, FL 33132, Phone: 305-373-5437
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