Children’s museums across the country are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary! Below you will find a list, by state, of events. For more information, contact the museums directly.
ACM Children’s Museum Members: Looking to be included on this list? Please provide your museum’s plans. Whether you have a one day or weekend celebration on July 4th or an ongoing exhibit for the year ahead, we want to share the news! (Directory will be updated weekly throughout the summer.)
Newton
EverWonder Children’s Museum, 11 Mile Hill Road, Suite 1, Newtown, CT 06470
“Science is Revolutionary” Scavenger Hunt!
Use picture clues to track down posters featuring 5 scientists whose discoveries and inventions helped shape revolutionary efforts.
🧪 Explore the museum, solve the clues, and discover how science has changed the world!
📅 July 2026
🎟️ Included with admission at EverWonder Children’s Museum
Coralville
The Iowa Children’s Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville, IA 52241
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, The Iowa Children’s Museum is inviting kids and families to explore community, connection, and civic literacy through play.
From Memorial Day through the week of the Fourth of July, “We, the Kids” activities will introduce children to big ideas in kid-friendly, hands-on ways. Children might design their own community using wooden blocks and imaginative materials, create a model of the night sky while learning about our place in the world, or discover simple ways they can help and participate in their own neighborhoods. Activities are designed to spark curiosity, conversation, and community-minded thinking through play. These activities build on our “Use Your VOICE Day” event, held each year on election day, which introduces children to the many ways they can engage with their community and make their voices heard.
Regular “We, the Kids” activities will take place Wednesdays from 3–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9–11 a.m., leading up to the Fourth of July.
During the week of the Fourth of July, the museum will also welcome special pop-in guests on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, including the Iowa City Bike Library sharing bike basics and simple repair skills, and a local educator helping kids explore how composting and caring for the earth can strengthen communities.
Binghamton
The Discovery Center, 60 Morgan Road Binghamton, NY 13903
Come to Our Kids Colonial Faire – Celebrating 250 Years on Saturday, June 13, 2026
The date is set for our 17th annual Summer Carnival on Saturday, June 13, 2026! The Discovery Center and Story Garden will step back in time to June 1776 with colonial games, fun contests, entertainment, and of course, surprises! See what it was like to live and play during the American Revolution. Grab a bite to eat at Ye Olde Cornerstone Café sponsored by WEIS Mkts or have a colonial summer treat – vanilla ice cream! Play colonial games, try your hand at a craft and receive a goody bag all set for a special 250th birthday celebration!
There will also be two special performances of Kit’s Interactive Theater presenting The Colonial Faire and the American Revolution. Kit’s performances combine history, dance, music, imagination, and improvisation with a great mixture of humor. Kids and adults are cast right into the show.
At the Colonial Faire, servant Katie Cottswold needs a hand with her chores so all may skip off to the colonial faire. Games, frolics, and merriment abound just before the colorful Maypole dance. Performance time is at 11:00 am.
The American Revolution depicts Abigail Datchery and the fiery Sam Adams as they recount the turbulent times that led to the War for Independence. The Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and an aristocratic dance are just some of the events depicted in this exciting and fun performance. Performance time is at 1:00 pm.
Come in colonial costume if you like and help us celebrate from 10 am to 2 pm. Events take place inside and outside, rain or shine! Regular admission. Non-members: $10 per person; Infants under 1 year are free Members: Free Veterans: $2 off each admission for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their household family members. Valid military ID required. Seniors (over 65): $1 off admission
Museums for All: Show EBT card and photo ID for $3 admission for each member of your household up to four people.
Buffalo
Explore and More Children’s Museum, 130 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14202
Looking for a fun family adventure in Buffalo this summer? Grab your phones and get ready — the Canalside Smartphone Scavenger Hunt turns Buffalo’s waterfront into your very own outdoor game board.
Kids and grown-ups team up to explore Canalside’s coolest spots including Explore & More Children’s Museum, the Naval Park, the Heritage Carousel, and much more. During the hunt you’ll search for hidden objects, snap silly photos, and test your Buffalo brainpower with trivia challenges. Go as fast or as slow as you like — it’s all about having healthy outdoor family fun.
Every mission you complete earns points, and players unlock special offers from local attractions. Best of all, the scavenger hunt is totally free thanks to Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, and it runs all summer long starting Memorial Day weekend.
Ready, set… explore!
Garden City
Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
EXHIBIT May 23 – September 6: Red, White, & Blue Blocks
Celebrate the U.S.A.’s 250th Birthday LICM-style— with hands-on play!
Our big blue blocks provide a blank canvas for children to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life. Giant and lightweight, these blocks encourage hands-on exploration and problem-solving, collaboration, and spatial awareness.
Puppets of animals from across the U.S.A. enrich the roleplay opportunities for visitors to explore as they build a perch for a bald eagle or a rocket ship to send an armadillo to the moon!
Inspired by the stars and stripes of the American flag, our re-imagined block building exhibit lets kids imagine what futures they will build together.
THEATER June 27-Aug 12 (varied schedule during that time)
A SEMIQUINCENTEN-EAGLE BIRTHDAY
A message from Lance the Eagle…
“Greetings, families! It is with great excitement that I invite you to a celebration of my birthday! Of course, as the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm…must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!”
-LANCE M. BALDARI, American Bald Eagle (Eaglus Celebratus Partyum)
EVENT: July 1st 11am-3pm –
Red, White & Blue Countdown Fun
Join us at the Long Island Children’s Museum as we kick off America’s 250th birthday with a joyful ball drop celebration designed just for kids and families! Guests will count down together as red, white, and blue confetti rains down launching a day filled with creativity, celebration, and community.
We invite families to experience this milestone through hands-on making, shared joy, and community spirit…because 250 years is something to celebrate together!
Amarillo
Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive, Amarillo, TX 79106
Discover! 5.0 is a Labor Day Weekend festival on Saturday, September 5th. Festivities from 12 pm to 10 pm with discounted admission, live music, vendors, and a performance from the Amarillo Symphony accompanied by a drone show finale. All activities will occur at the Don Harrington Discovery Center.
The Woodlands
The Woodlands Children’s Museum 4775 West Panther Creek Drive #280, The Woodlands, TX 77381
On July 4, 2026, our nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a moment to reflect on America’s milestones and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators. To support this historic occasion, The Woodlands Children’s Museum and the Woodlands Symphony Orchestra have partnered to provide a performance celebrating America’s contribution to the arts. We invite children and families to join us as we celebrate our American story through music!
Our celebration will take place on Friday, July 3rd, 2026. Enjoy performances by The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra Brass and Woodwind Ensembles with a Guest Vocalist at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm and the unveiling of an American flag collaborative art project. Included in the price of admission, which is $10 for adults and children 1 year and older. Events will take place at The Woodlands Children’s Museum, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Suite 280, The Woodlands, TX 77381.
Richmond
Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2626 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
“250 Years of Play in America” – Weekly programs during July – Learn about the “Then and Now” of play through 250 years. Tuesdays 7/7 through 7/28 – Chesterfield location 1 to 1:30, Downtown location 3 to 3:30.