Playful Learning Promotes Critical Thinking Skills and Confidence in Children
Experts say play-based learning improves literacy and language development, encourages creativity and imagination, and leads to problem-solving skills. It also helps children develop social and emotional skills, such as empathy and self-regulation, and improves cognitive development, including memory, attention, and academic skills.

Our Mission

To be a vibrant, interactive learning space providing children, families and school groups the opportunity to nurture curiosity, enhance knowledge and ignite imagination through creative hands-on exploration. The museum is committed to broadening knowledge of the arts and sciences, the environment, multiculturalism, and the local and global communities in an educational and recreational atmosphere.

Our Vision

The Westchester Children’s Museum strives to be an engaging, inclusive, creative place for play and a catalyst for building confidence and critical thinking skills in our children.

Our Values and Code of Ethics

We value creative, innovative, and interactive exhibits and programs.
We value utilizing literary, scientific, artistic, and technological innovations.
We value the needs of our diverse audiences.
We value experiences that are collaborative and accessible, to the greatest extent possible, by all people regardless of their age, background, or ability.
We value serving those most in need.
We value collaboration with a variety of cultural, governmental, educational and community organizations and agencies.
We value being environmentally responsible in our exhibits, programming and facilities.
We value the growth of the organization through a set of staff, volunteers and board members who share a strong commitment to happy, healthy children throughout our society.
We value best practices and ethical management while remaining fiscally responsible.

Education and Connection

We offer a wide range of STEAM based programs for children as young as pre-k and up through middle school. We strive to be a safe gathering space for all members of our diverse community where children can share, collaborate, problem solve, and develop critical thinking skills. We are committed to stimulating a child’s lifelong intellectual and civic engagement in the world through relevant, creative and interactive exhibits and programs. We encourage collaboration with other children and within their own families. We want to share the literary, artistic and other humanistic traditions, innovations and viewpoints of Westchester, the region and the country in an honest and respectful manner.

An Inclusive Town Square for Children and Families

We seek to meet a need in our region for a barrier-free, safe, welcoming, and vibrant gathering space for all the members of our broader community. We aim to offer multiple points of entry for children of different ages, backgrounds, learning styles, and physical abilities. We will ensure that children who might be without access to enrichment opportunities, and might need it most, can be part of the Museum community. We will continue to offer multiple admission opportunities including no charge for Blue Star families and active duty military families; free for children under 1; discounted admission for EBT card holders; as well as special admission grants and programs for community groups and local schools in underserved communities.

Sources:
• Play-based learning improves academic outcomes, including literacy and language development. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
• Playful learning encourages creativity and imagination, which lead to innovation and problem-solving skills. Source: Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Playful learning helps children develop social and emotional skills, such as empathy and self-regulation. Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Play-based learning improves cognitive development, including memory and attention skills. Source: American Psychological Association
• Playful learning increases motivation and engagement in learning, leading to better academic outcomes. Source: International Journal of Play