Children who visit the Staten Island Children's Museum this fall can climb across a bridge modeled on the Verrazzano-Narrows, take the wheel of a replica Staten Island Ferry and build a seawall to hold back a flood. All three are part of Explore Staten Island, a new exhibit that opened to the public this week inside the museum's home on the grounds of Snug Harbor.

The museum calls it the first full renovation of one of its original exhibit rooms in 25 years. The project took three years to develop and cost $1.4 million, and it rebuilds the Barn Gallery, the space whose 2001 renovation doubled the museum's footprint at Snug Harbor.

What is inside the new gallery

The exhibit is built around a simple question for young visitors: what does it mean to live on an island? The answers are things children can touch and move.

  • A bridge to climb. Climbing structures take their cue from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the span that ties the island to Brooklyn.
  • A ferry to captain. A replica of the Staten Island Ferry lets kids play at running the boat that carries their families to Manhattan.
  • A seawall and an oyster bed. Children stack and shape a seawall against coastal flooding and assemble an oyster bed sculpture, a nod to the reefs that once lined New York Harbor.
  • A park ranger station. Visitors take on the job of a ranger, counting migrating animals and caring for the island's wildlife.
  • Train tables. Tracks and trains show how people get on and off the island.
  • A padded parkour course. A soft obstacle run built for climbing, balancing and racing.

The museum says the redesign also improved sight lines across the room and added seating, so parents and caregivers can watch from a bench while children move between stations. The gallery is set up for cooperative play, with activities designed for children to do together.

Who paid for it

The exhibit was funded by a long list of local supporters, among them State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, the New York City Council, The Staten Island Foundation, the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, Con Edison, the Northfield Bank Foundation, the Richmond County Savings Foundation and the Rotary Club of Staten Island. Hundreds of ordinary visitors chipped in too: the museum says families who rounded up their admission, event and camp purchases helped pay for the new room.

November at the museum

The new gallery arrives just ahead of a busy month. A few dates families can plan around:

  • Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8: Bank of America Museums on Us weekend. Bank of America cardholders get one free general admission with a valid card and government photo ID.
  • Saturday, November 7: ShopRite Kidz Cook, where young cooks make pizza roll-ups at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 11: a Veterans Day School's Out Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance registration is required.
  • Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15: the Con Edison STEM Science Weekend, with dry ice demonstrations at 4 p.m.
  • Friday, November 27: a Thanksgiving recess day camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., also by advance registration.
  • Sunday, November 29: the magician and comedian Silly Billy at 4 p.m.

Programs are included with admission unless the museum says otherwise. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26.

How to go

The Staten Island Children's Museum is at 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, on the grounds of Snug Harbor, and serves children ages 1 and up. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a members-only hour from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets and day camp registration are at sichildrensmuseum.org, and the front desk is at 718-273-2060.

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