Autism Society of Central Virginia Recognizes the Children’s Museum of Richmond as an Autism-Friendly Community
The Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR) will receive its designation as an Autism-Friendly Community from the Autism Society of Central Virginia (ASCV) at its first Sensory-Friendly Night of 2024 on January 19 at CMoR’s Downtown Museum location.
In May 2023, CMoR began its participation in ASCV’s Autism Friendly Communities program. The program is designed to provide organizations with foundational knowledge and skills to better understand and accommodate the needs of autistic individuals. As part of the partnership, CMoR staff went through training modules to review characteristics of autistic individuals, and receive practical knowledge to support museum visitors and colleagues on the autism spectrum.
Children’s Museum of Richmond to host new monthly ‘CultureFest’ event
Starting on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, CMoR will host its first CultureFest Friday, which will feature a variety of cultures, foods and art from various parts of the world.
The event invites families with children up to 12 years old to experience live music, dance and theatrical demonstrations, as well as try authentic cuisines from different countries. There will also be creative activities and workshops in the museum’s Art Studio.
Children’s Museum of Richmond Voted a 2023 Top Workplace!
The numbers are in for this year’s Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplaces contest, which each year spotlights the region’s best employers. The Children’s Museum of Richmond is so proud to receive this honor for the second year in a row!
Children’s Museum of Richmond unveils new mobile exhibit
The Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR) will be bringing their newest exhibit to kids across central Virginia after it officially opens Monday, January 23, 2023.
BUILD IT, the museum’s newest interactive exhibit, will feature three traveling modules; a PVC build, “Tectonic Testers” and a “Three-Sided Vertical Build with a tangram wall, gravity run, and geoboard station.”
Filling the Bins at the Children’s Museum of Richmond Book Bank
“This holiday season, the Book Bank shelves are a little bare — except for mostly boxes of books already designated for distribution. So far this year, the Book Bank has already distributed nearly 10,000 books donated by the community.
So, what’s it like when a child is given a book that they can keep and read over and over? Andoh said the look on their faces “is to die for. It’s amazing. They took the book, they look through it, and they’re like, ‘can I keep it?’ I’m like, ‘yes, it’s yours.’ I give our books to the children and their faces a light up.”
For the past 10 years, Richmond’s Legendary Santa, who spends time at the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s downtown location prior to his round-the-world journey on Christmas Eve, has made a special effort to meet with children for whom a traditional noise- and crowd-filled visit doesn’t feel jolly and fun. In special sessions, Sensitive Legendary Santa is able to help children with sensory or other special needs enjoy their interaction, whether on his lap, in his chair or standing nearby. The lights are lower, the room is quieter, and Santa can make a connection with his visitor in an especially soothing manner.”
How This Christmas Event Makes Seeing Santa Inclusive to All Children
“The holiday season can be one that is chaotic for many families. However, the chaos can make the situation worse or unbearable for some kids who have sensory issues.
The Children’s Museum of Richmond is hoping to change that experience with their collaboration with VCU’s College of Health Professions for their annual Sensitive Santa event.”
“You need not travel to Azusa, Anaheim, Cucamonga or even Staples Mill Road to introduce the kids to passenger train travel. The Children’s Museum of Richmond’s downtown location (coincidentally next to the former Union/Broad Street Station, today the home of the Science Museum of Virginia), in association with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, presents the Amtrak Virginia train exhibit.”
Children’s Museum of Richmond Launches Amtrak Train Exhibit
“The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority is launching an Amtrak train exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Richmond that will be on display for three years.
It is a multi-media, experiential learning STEM exhibit that the museum hopes will inspire a new generation of train lovers.”
Review: Learn about Farm Life Through Chesterfield Children’s Museum New Exhibit
“The Childrens’ Museum of Richmond has always encouraged learning through play. The interactive and engaging exhibits allow children to do just that; and, with the new harvest exhibit at the Chesterfield location, CMoR’s young patrons are learning about farm life without actually setting foot on farmland.
Located in the large space at the rear of the museum, the harvest exhibit immediately attracted my 3 year old as he made a beeline straight for it. Organized, clean and bright, the exhibit appeals to both parents and children alike.”
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January 2022
The Language of Play
“Hitesha Patel of Chesterfield, mom of three-year-old Amaiya, says the Children’s Museum of Richmond is hands-down one of her family’s favorite places to visit. She’s not alone, but there’s a unique reason this parent appreciates CMoR as much as she does. “My daughter is an only child, and CMoR gives her the exposure to play, learn, and share with other kids her age – socializing and exploring together,” says Patel, who lives in Chesterfield.”
The playground will be used by hundreds of families in the area that lack access to parks.
Funding for the project came from the CarMax Foundation and KABOOM! This will be one of six playspaces in the Richmond region that CarMax has helped fund. The design was made based on ideas from Sprout School students and kids from across the area. The structure itself was put together by volunteers.
The Children’s Museum president and CEO Shannon Venable, who announced in May her plans to retire by the end of the year, will officially step down next month, with Danielle Ripperton joining the organization as president and CEO on December 2, 2019, after an extensive search by the Board of Trustees launched in June.
November 7th, 2019
Just Joan: Artist Nastassja Swift Brings Wool to Life at the Children’s Museum
“Coming back to Richmond was a homecoming of sorts for visual artist Nastassja Swift. The Virginia Commonwealth University alum is currently creative in residence at the Children’s Museum, spending many of her days crafting a one-of-a-kind sculpture for the museum.”
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Closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20, 2025
Both Children’s Museum of Richmond locations are closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20, 2025. We look forward to welcoming you back when normal operating hours resume on Tuesday, April 22, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm!
