Needs updating and some things didnt work. For younger kids or any kids who are just interested in the play aspect, the first floor is the main attraction. The second floor was nice but more informative than anything. Theres an interactive LED flooring on the second one and the kids loved that.The third floor was very scarce and had only three things to check out but cant quite play. (Bowling, hula hoops, a balloon thing, and lightning simulator). The fourth floor has trains, planes, NASA, and hot wheels. Nothing interactive and only one thing works up there but hardly. The third and fourth floors werent worth checking out.Overall, kids had a great time on the first floor but unfortunately not a place you can visit a ton of times. Gets old quickly.

Such a fun place for a family fun day! Four floors of activities. My kids enjoyed the first floor the most bc of all of the games and dress up. We also loved the dance bug thing on the second floor and the train sets on thr fourth floor. Good time.

The staff was very patient and answered every question as best they could.

We live the childrens museum. With 4 floors of fun and a very reasonable annual membership, you cant go wrong! Best for kids ages 2-10

Good trip through the past. Building was nice and warm, elevator had 4 floors. Kids loved it. Could use some new age toys and more staff. Live owls and reptiles were a plus on Wednesdays.

New exhibits are so much fun! Always a good time. School break events are wonderful

Amazing place, wonderful staff!!!!! My tweens didnt look at their phones once while we were there! (thats saying a lot!) Will definitely come back, it was so much fun!!

Its almost a good choice to waste your time

This place is amazing! So much more than a Children’s museum. First floor is the typical kids stuff, but upstairs are multiple exhibits ranging from local Native American tribes, aviation, interactive toy trains, hot wheels, space exploration, dinosaurs, and so much more. Took my toddler while visiting the parents and we both had a fantastic time. There is nothing else like it in Utica.

Great little childrens museum. Lots of fun things to do. My kids love the massive, digital dance floor to play games on. Staff members are fantastic!

Great to have a place to go with our son. Could use some updating but Im sure they arent getting the funding that they should!

Its more of a museum of childrens things than a childrens museum. The first floor is really the best area for interactive play. The second has a bunch of dinosaur things that excited my kids. There are a bunch of exhibits that arent kept up and dont work and also a bunch of dioramas that dont hold kids interest. A plus is that it was very afordable compared to other places.

This is sadly one of the better indoor activities for kids in Utica during the winter. It is really small and the indoor playground in the mall is better.

Ok... So its not the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester. But, the kids did really enjoy the downstairs setup and there was a lot of different things for them to do. The upstairs was a little dicey for my 5 and 3 year olds. They werent too into the history of the Erie Canal or Native Americans in CNY, but in a few years who knows? Also there was one display case of old toys upstairs that was downright terrifying (see attached photo). Other than that, my sister hosted my nephews birthday party there and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. So Id recommend checking the Utica Childrens Museum out at some point.

A great way to spend the day with the kids. They have some rotating exhibits and have really tried to add even more interesting things lately. Check it out!

This place is pretty awesome for ages 2-9. Great stuff to do if it rains for most kids who dont absolutely NEEED electronics. In the winter its also nice because it is big enough to let the kids run around. The only draw back is that although it has 4 floors of cool stuff, you kinda want to keep your kids sequestered on one floor at a time. It can feel a bit catacomby especially if your little one is a runner...like ours.We go a couple times a year, its fun and a nice change of pace. Particularly when you cant be outside for whatever reason.

Theres so much to do here, 4 floors of fun! Every time Ive gone the staff has been so friendly and the place is clean. The prices are good too.

Took my grandsons to visit. They absolutely had a grand time. We will visit again! A few things did not work, hopefully they can get enough donations to repair the trains and some the electronic items.It was great to see the workers tidying up constantly. I recommend taking kids here to explore.

A cute but small childrens museum. Needs more funding to be great. small kids will like it.

Daughter loves this place, hasnt changed one bit since i was a kid, place is clean and quiet, faculty are nice, nice place to hang for a couple hours

Affordable fun for early childhood. Lots to see and interact with

This was a really God spot for children. A lot of hands on activities and interactions. I think it would be great if they would fix many of the exhibits on higher floors though. Overall nice little trip for a couple hours of entertainment.

This is such a great visit for children and adults alike amazing space

This may not seem fancy, like the most. However, your kids will be engaged and learning. Plus, we found ourselves building with the structural blocks and finding our weight on other planets too!

4 unique floors of history, play, and hands-on activities fun and interesting for both children AND adults!

A good amount of things to do for children of various ages. Our 1 year old had a great time!

Recently had my daughters first Birthday party here.. very nice staff low rental wonderful indoor facilities fridge oven etc available for use kids had a wonderful time and even learned a bit while celebrating.. thank you to the wonderful staff!!

A lot of displaysb were broken, very unsafe stair cases not blocked off for children so it would be easy for them to fall down. Also the pictures on here look like a bad intimate movie instead of what the museum has to offer.

Wow has this place changed from 20 years ago. The prices are even better. Great safe place to let your kids run around. Our granddaughter loved it. When we were leaving she stated, I need to come back here.

Awesome place my nieces. Other family members have bday parties. Kids check out 3 floors, games learn

Went here w/ my daughter, son and my two 5 year old grandsons. We had a GREAT time. Only complaint is its a bit dirty and shabby in Grandmas eyes, but the little fellers had a blast! My son found a piece of glass in the play area and handed it to the worker at the front desk and told him where hed found it. Worker said, Oh yeah, weve been seeing quite a few of these lately.

Hours of free play fun for kids

GREAT place to have a childs birthday party, clean,a nd fun place

Very informative and interactive. The children have four floors of exciting things to explore as well as two floors that include interactive stuff for them to play with. Great place for the children to running off some energy on a cold or rainy day. They also offer a space for birthday parties that will hold 30-40 people

I found myself more interested in the building itself and wondering what went on and where vs the offerings in the museum. Could use a refresh but guessing funding might be an issue. Our toddler and infant were having tons of fun so since it didnt matter to them what was inside and the museum is for them it was still a win.

First floor has tons to do for little ones. A little run down, but the kids dont seem to care. Other floors are more museum like, and not so great for toddlers. Employees were nice and helpful.

The place was amazing the kids enjoyed everything there

I remember going here as a kid. I returned recently and they really havent done any sort of upkeep or renovations. Extremely dated.

Took my granddaughter...so much to do and inexpensive. We were there 4 hours and she never got bored!!! Definitely on my repeat list! Was educational and entertaining!

Remodeled first floor, educational and kid-friendly, its a small but nice Childrens Museum.

This is THE BEST place to take your kids to. Forget all of those indoor playgrounds and bouncy places. Here not only do they have fun, but they also learn. Friendly staff, well organized place in general. As a parent I highly recommend this place for everyone and kids of all ages. Dont take my word for it, just go there once and see for yourself. It is very affordable, I also recommend the annual membership if you plan on going often as my family does.

Four floors of toys, dioramas, models and other items designed to allow children hands-on interaction with Oneida longhouses, musical instruments, dinosaurs, magnets, and other things. Wide range of age-appropriateness, from a closable pen with toddler-and-baby toys and books, to a reasonably detailed train, truck and plane display on the top floor. Some items are a little worse for wear--plastic food with teethmarks, or burst seams on some puppets--but this seems reasonable for an active, sprawling activity center. Great for inclement weather.

Great place for children 10 and under. It would be great if more businesses and teams like the Utica Comets invested in the museum. It has great potential.

My 2 year old son loved being able to run around freely and play with all the toys. He especially loved the pianos and trains and the floor game that lit up when you stepped on it.

This museum is in desperate need of updating. It is a little disappointing, as many of the interactive exhibits are broken.

A Great Time for he Children on a Class Trip or a Day off School with Family

We had such a great time! With new management this place is so much better.

I was a member of the Fairbanks Children’s Museum for awhile, and my kids loved it there. So while visiting Utica, we definitely had to hit up this Children’s museum. Maybe I’m spoiled - but the staff at Utica is completely disinterested and on their phones the whole time my family and I were there. Not up and walking around, not creating or participating in activities, nor providing any sort of educational experience, which is disappointing. Basically we walked in, they said hi, took our money, and got right back on their phones. The building itself looks like an incredible place, it’s packed with stuff to do and explore, and there are four levels. The first floor has a walk up with little mini play rooms devoted to different businesses like post office, kitchen, the Home Depot, etc. The second floor as educational exhibits and play spaces as well. My kids had a good time, especially with the light space play floor on the second level, but this museum could be so much better if the staff devoted itself to the concept of what makes Children’s museums so great - to inspire, and connect families through discovery and play.

Great place for kids.

This place made a upgrade.. love it

We visited the Childrens Museum with our grandchildren and were very impressed with all the exhibits. There are four floors filled with amazing things for children of all ages. It was unfortunate that the air conditioning was not working on such a very hot day. However, this is not due to lack of maintenance. The staff there is extremely dedicated, hard working and it is obvious they are doing everything they can to make sure the Museum continues to operate. I have seen many negative reviews that people have written and we feel they are not being fair. For a wonderful afternoon of education and fun, please dont hesitate to take your children there. Reasonably priced, too.

It was a great way to spend the day with the kids. Had 9 year old twins, a 7year old and a 5year old that were all entertained for two hours without a single complaint. Worth the visit if you are in the area!

A must visit with kids.. They have done an excellent job with this place and the kids love it!

Lots of fun stuff for little kids. Also a lot of open space to run around, could be expanded with more exhibits

A great place for a day-trip.

So much fun for the family, autistic kid friendly

Lots of space for kids to play!

Kids loved it

The activities are always fun for the kids. There seems to be some updates to the exhibits, and the volunteers are interacting more with the kids!

Well, Seymour, I made it- despite your directions. Ah. Superintendent Chalmers. Welcome. - I hope youre prepared for an unforgettable luncheon. - Yeah. Oh, egads! My roast is ruined. But what if I were to purchase fast food and disguise it as my own cooking? Delightfully devilish, Seymour. Ah- Skinner with his crazy explanations The superintendents gonna need his medication When he hears Skinners lame exaggerations Therell be trouble in town tonight Seymour! Superintendent, I was just- uh, just stretching my calves on the windowsill. Isometric exercise. Care to join me? Why is there smoke coming out of your oven, Seymour? Uh- Oh. That isnt smoke. Its steam. Steam from the steamed clams were having. Mmm. Steamed clams. Whew. Superintendent, I hope youre ready for mouthwatering hamburgers. I thought we were having steamed clams. Doh, no. I said steamed hams. Thats what I call hamburgers. You call hamburgers steamed hams? Yes. Its a regional dialect. - Uh-huh. Uh, what region? - Uh, upstate New York. Really. Well, Im from Utica, and Ive never heard anyone use the phrase steamed hams. Oh, not in Utica. No. Its an Albany expression. I see. You know, these hamburgers are quite similar to the ones they have at Krusty Burger. Oh, no. Patented Skinner burgers. Old family recipe. - For steamed hams. - Yes. Yes. And you call them steamed hams despite the fact that they are obviously grilled. Ye- You know, the- One thing I should- - Excuse me for one second. - Of course. Well, that was wonderful. A good time was had by all. Im pooped. Yes. I should be- Good Lord! What is happening in there? - Aurora borealis. - Uh- Aurora borealis at this time of year at this time of day in this part of the country localized entirely within your kitchen? - Yes. - May I see it? No. Seymour. ! The house is on fire. ! No, Mother. Its just the northern lights. Well, Seymour, you are an odd fellow but I must say you steam a good ham.

Non of the exhibits work everything is covered with dust... all electricity and Battery items are broken ...dirty Dusty disgusting walls... I will highly not recommend it from a childs point of view is amazing but I feel like shame for letting my child play in this mud pit

Fun for kids to play lots of cool stuff

Love the Childrens Museum, its one of my sons favorite places to spend an afternoon.

There are a lot of things to learn at the museum I used to work there and from experience I know that children and the elderly will enjoy it

Good for children especially in winter season

Loved it there...great staff fun for the whole family

The Childrens Museum, now located across from Kids Oneida, has announced new collaborations with nanotechnology. For the Utica-Rome area, the Museum is the closest relative to Syracuses Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), a top ten tourist destination with a planetarium and IMAX Theater. As the leadership is changing to its new Board and personnel, we look forward to the traveling school programs, the collaborations with the governmental and non-profits sectors, and the continuation of touch, feel and learn as creativity with children and their families. Permanent and rotating exhibits are the hallmark of the Museum, and have included a weather station! Julie Ann Racino

It was ok. Kids had an ok time. Disappointed that the 4th floor had only 2 working things. The police lights had a siren, but only the lights worked. Lots of areas had none working things. Dance floor on the 2nd floor was fun for the kids. I wouldnt come back, but it was an experience. Wish they could update some things inside.

My 6- and 8-year olds (and I too) really enjoyed this very multifaceted museum. You cant compare it to the big city museums, since this is largely a local effort lovingly built by volunteers from the area using found and donated objects. It is not fancy and high-end, but it feels real and fun and good. I actually love that aspect of it because it feels hands-on and therefore truly interactive, which is of course kids love. There are exhibits and experiences on dozens of different topics on 4 floors. The trains on the 4th floor DO close early (11:30 I believe) but we were welcome to explore the other three floors which was more than plenty. The current staff are helpful and nice to speak with (just to update on the previous review from 2011 which complained about the staff). My kids want to know when they can go back; we will for sure be stopping by next time we pass through Utica. They deserve to be supported!

After working at this place for a local company I was shocked to see how absolutely disgusting and dirty it is just behind the scenes. Rodent droppings everywhere in the room adjacent to the kitchen. Rats so big in the basement that the traps have lead weights attached to them. Nasty

I used to come here every weekend when my mom work at the train/bus station across the street! I have been there in over 16 years now and would love to see it today!

The museum is getting better. Lots of activities for the littles to do.

Very disappointed at this museum. Nothing on the website about special event. We came to participate in the Museum for All and was forced to pay $10 a person because if a special event. we came for muesum. there were no exhibts, no where for kids to play except for small rooms that were trashed. drove an hour to visit and will never be back.

Best time with kids!

Dated but extremely entertaining for young ones

I had an amazing time with my daughters class. Needs some updates.

Great place for kids hours of fun

Lot of fun for the kids

My kid loves it there

Great place for kids

Great fun for children of all ages

We had a great time

My kids loved it

Disappointed in the condition of the place

Really needs an upgrade

Amazing!

Its totally run down.

Awesome place

Kids enjoyed it

Lots of old broken toys

Horrible! Its dirty. It smells. Its boring.

Loved

Love this place

Great comfort food

Awesome for the kids

Great place for 1 hr