About SCM:

Q: Where is the Seattle Children's Museum?

A: We are located in the Armory on the Seattle Center Campus.  If you look to the skyline and see the Space Needle, we are just 150 steps from the base.

Q: What age group does SCM serve?

A: For children from birth to 10 years old, SCM strives to foster literacy, art, language, numeracy and communication skills.

Q: How does SCM work with the community to further their mission?

A: SCM is dedicated to demonstrating a strong spirit of collaboration. SCM has had great relationships with the early learning community in the Puget Sound. We are looking forward to reestablishing and strengthening our relationships with those in the early learning community, as well as creating new relationships with other organizations within our region.

Preparing Your Visit:

Q: How can I get to SCM? Where can I park?

A: SCM is located in the Armory at Seattle Center making it an easy travel destination!

Seattle Center Monorail arrives at the Armory approximately every 10 minutes as it travels from Westlake Center, which a stop along the Sound Transit Light Rail 1 Line. The Monorail also accepts ORCA cards!

Many Bus Routes also service the Seattle Center! The Metro routes include  1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 24, 29, 31 and 33. Visit the King County Metro Trip Planner to plan your travel to Seattle Center!

If you choose to drive, Seattle Center offers a variety of parking options. There is also street parking available around the grounds.

Q: Can kids play all day?

A: The length of your visit depends on your little one. Some kids find themselves absorbed for hours, while others like to keep moving! Your admission price is for all day, and you have in and out privileges. Take a break for lunch or a stroll around International Fountain or experience the Artists at Play playground  and then return to the museum for more play!

Q: Can I drop my kids off to play?

A: No, and there are two reasons why. First, we are an educational facility, and our goal is for the caregiver and child to explore the Museum programming and facilities together. Second, as a family fun destination, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment children must be with an adult caregiver at all times during their visit.

Q: Do any exhibits have age restrictions?

Our exhibits are open to kids of all ages but are designed for kids 10 and under. We do ask our guests to help us keep Orca Cove a safe place for our littlest visitors by walking and giving priority to children under 3 years of age.

Q: Can we bring food into the Museum?

A: Yes; you can bring food into the museum as long as it stays packed away. When your group is ready to eat we ask that you either utilize our snack area in-between the Front Desk and the Corner Workshop or exit the museum and enjoy your food either in the Market Place upstairs our outside on the Seattle Center grounds. Don’t worry – your admission is good for the day! Just stop by the front desk on your way out.

We do allow water, in a spill-proof container, to be the museum and exhibit areas.

Q: Can we bring our pet to the Museum?

A: Pets are not allowed in the Museum. Service animals are welcome.

Q: Are there any rules for visiting?

A: The Seattle Children’s Museum invites everyone to engage in playful, creative, hands-on exploration and discovery to encourage active, lifelong learning.

We welcome all children and their adults, of all abilities, ages, ethnicities, genders, immigration statuses, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. We are committed to ensuring all guests have a positive and safe experience. We expect our staff and guests to act responsibly and be kind and considerate of others as we share this space. 

Mutual Respect: 

We value and respect our diverse visitors and staff and expect the same from our guests.  

The Seattle Children’s Museum does not tolerate rude, inappropriate, or unwelcome behavior toward other guests or employees, whether verbal, physical, or visual. Use or display of obscene or abusive language is prohibited. If you notice any of this type of behavior, please notify staff.  

Museum staff reserves the right to refuse admission, revoke membership, and/or remove any person without refund for any reason. This includes violating these Visitor Policies or exhibiting unsafe, inappropriate or disruptive behavior, or behavior likely to cause damage.  

Adult Supervision:  

Adult guests are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. No children are allowed in the Museum without an adult.  

Allowed Items: 

You may bring the following to the Museum:  

  • Water or drinks in lidded (preferably spill-proof) containers  
  • Food, as long as it stays packed away  
  • Service animals 

You may not bring the following to the Museum:  

  • Drinks in unlidded or easy-to-spill containers 
  • Pets and emotional support animals 
  • Firearms or weapons of any kind 

The Museum reserves the right to add, withdraw, or otherwise modify these policies as it deems necessary at any time. Please contact Museum staff with any questions, needs, or concerns.  

Admission & Costs:

Q: How much is admission?

A:
Members:
Free
Children: $13 (age 1 – 17)
Adults: $13 (age 18-65)
Seniors: $11 (over 65)
Under 1: Free

Q: What types of admission discounts are available?

A:
Association of Children’s Museums (ACM): 
50% off for up to six (6) people
Military, First Responders, & Teachers: $2 off admission per person
Military Gold Star: free admission for the family
Museums for All: $3 per person with EBT, CHIP, Provider One, WIC, or Apple Health
Northwest Association of Youth Museums (NWAYM): 25% off up to four (4) people

Q: If I received a discount coupon prior to Covid-19, can I still use it towards admission?

A: All specialty discounts and coupons issued prior to the museum’s re-opening in 2022 are no longer eligible for use. Please visit https://seattlechildrensmuseum.org/visit for information on our year-round discounts for groups such as Museums For All, Military, First Responders, Teachers and others.

Q: What is Museums For All? How do I know if I qualify?

A: “Museums for all” is a nationwide initiative that aims to ensure that every family and child has access to a high quality museum experience. Families with EBT, CHIP, WIC, Provider One, or Apple Health are able to access SCM offerings at discounted rates. Proof of qualification is required at the time of admission-purchase.

Supporting SCM:

Q: What types of memberships are offered?

A: SCM offers three types of annual memberships (Awesome, Bonus & Choice) and various options available within each type so you can select the one that fits your desired specs. Prices range from $110 to $305. Visit our membership page to review our options and purchase your membership!

Q: How do I donate to SCM?

A: Now more than ever, kids and families need a wonderful place to play, learn, and spend time together and it’s only possible with help from individuals, businesses and community institutions. Visit our website today to donate! And please ask your employer if they will match your charitable gifts.

Your generosity will be fully tax deductible to the extent of the law and will sustain the Seattle Children’s Museum and ensure great museum experiences for children today and into the future.

Q: How can I give SCM as a gift?

A: SCM offers gift memberships! When purchasing a membership online check the box that says “This membership is a gift.” and complete the order. Gifted Memberships are active immediately and the recipient will receive an email from SCM about their membership along with any gift messaging you included within 1 week of purchase.

We do not currently offer gift cards/certificates.

Safety & Cleaning:

Q: How has SCM reopened safely? What's being done in terms of COVID precautions?

A: We’ve learned so much from the other children’s museums and arts organizations who have re-opened over the past year. Our protocols will include

    • Limited capacity so that we can be sure that families are able to keep safe distances in the museum.
    • SCM will follow all COVID regulations laid out by the local government as well as recommendations made by medical experts.

Q: What is SCM's mask policy?

A: SCM is working with local medical experts as well as listening to government and CDC officials in policy planning. We currently hold Mask up Mornings requiring masks for all visitors 3 years and older until noon, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. From noon until close masks are optional. Masks will continue to remain available at the Front Desk for visitors. If you do not see them out, please ask an employee who will happily assist you.

Q: Are there any safety policies for visiting?

A: The Seattle Children’s Museum invites everyone to engage in playful, creative, hands-on exploration and discovery to encourage active, lifelong learning.

We welcome all children and their adults, of all abilities, ages, ethnicities, genders, immigration statuses, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. We are committed to ensuring all guests have a positive and safe experience. We expect our staff and guests to act responsibly and be kind and considerate of others as we share this space. 

Mutual Respect: 

We value and respect our diverse visitors and staff and expect the same from our guests.  

The Seattle Children’s Museum does not tolerate rude, inappropriate, or unwelcome behavior toward other guests or employees, whether verbal, physical, or visual. Use or display of obscene or abusive language is prohibited. If you notice any of this type of behavior, please notify staff.  

Museum staff reserves the right to refuse admission, revoke membership, and/or remove any person without refund for any reason. This includes violating these Visitor Policies or exhibiting unsafe, inappropriate or disruptive behavior, or behavior likely to cause damage.  

Adult Supervision:  

Adult guests are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. No children are allowed in the Museum without an adult.  

Allowed Items: 

You may bring the following to the Museum:  

  • Water or drinks in lidded (preferably spill-proof) containers  
  • Food, as long as it stays packed away  
  • Service animals 

You may not bring the following to the Museum:  

  • Drinks in unlidded or easy-to-spill containers 
  • Pets and emotional support animals 
  • Firearms or weapons of any kind 

The Museum reserves the right to add, withdraw, or otherwise modify these policies as it deems necessary at any time. Please contact Museum staff with any questions, needs, or concerns.