FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE MUSEUM HOURS?
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHAT UPDATES HAVE YOU MADE FOR REOPENING?
The Discovery Center has made quite a few updates in order to reopen safely. To learn more about our updated procedures, please visit our
COVID-19 FAQs.
HOW MUCH IS ADMISSION? DO I HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TO SEE SPECIAL EXHIBITS?
All activities and exhibits are included with admission.
- $12 per person ages 1+
- $11 for seniors 65 and up
- Free for children under one and Members
WHEN CAN I RESERVE TICKETS FOR MY VISIT?
Ticket reservations for the general public will made available on our website on Tuesday, May 11.
WILL YOU HAVE TIMED ADMISSIONS WHEN YOU REOPEN?
Timed entry for admissions maintains a reduced capacity in the building at all times and helps provide social distancing for everyone.
- Please reserve your tickets in advance. Walk-up visitors are welcomed but only if there is available space.
- Timed entry reservations are available every half hour starting at 10:00 am Tuesday to Saturday. The final reservation of the day is at 4:30 pm.
- If you purchase a ticket and are not able to visit, please notify us 24 hours before your visit date and time so we can make room for others.
- If you would like to reschedule your visit or receive a refund, please contact onlinetickets@cmhouston.org and include your order number, which can be found in your confirmation email.
CAN I DROP OFF MY CHILD FOR THE DAY AND LEAVE, OR DO I HAVE TO BE WITH MY CHILD ALL THE TIME?
Our exhibits and programs are designed for children and adults to enjoy together. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
AS AN ADULT, CAN I VISIT WITHOUT A CHILD?
No. Children younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For the safety of our young visitors, adults unaccompanied by children will not be allowed admission into the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center.
WHY ARE WE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS?
Children’s Museum Houston operated for two summers in Sugar Land Town Square to learn how to best serve Fort Bend families. We found Sundays attendance to be extremely low. In fact, on some Sundays our staff were the only ones in the museum. On Mondays, we implement new programming and perform maintenance.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE MUSEUM?
We change our programming weekly, so any day is worth a visit. Usually, the least busy time to visit is between 2 and 5 p.m. Tuesday is our least busy day.
HOW DO I PURCHASE A FORT BEND CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER MEMBERSHIP?
Memberships may be purchased online or onsite Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn about different membership levels, please visit Memberships.
IS MY MEMBERSHIP STILL ACTIVE?
If you purchased and/or renewed a membership in 2020, your membership is still active and has already been extended. You may contact the Membership Department at fbmembership@cmhouston.org if you have further questions.
ARE FORT BEND CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER MEMBERSHIPS HONORED AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON IN THE MUSEUM DISTRICT?
Yes!
HOW ARE WE KEEPING YOU SAFE?
- The Museum is following the latest CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Our primary visitors are those 12 and younger. For their protection and at the latest recommendation of the CDC, all visitors 2+, including those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while indoors at the Discovery Center. Please be sure to:
- Mask up during your visit.
- Go through our touchless thermal scanner.
- Use our hand sanitizing bar when entering our building.
- A cleaning crew constantly disinfects surfaces, components and “high touch” areas, like door handles.
- Deep cleaning with oxychlorine disinfectant (a solution used in childcares, schools and hospitals) takes place every night.
- All railings and door handles are covered with self-cleaning Nanoseptic® wrapping. “Used bins” are available for used toys.
- Fresh air is circulated frequently in our building throughout the day. MERV13 filters and UV lights in our air ducts keep our air clean.
- There are dedicated, separate entrances and exits.
- COVID-19 related protocols can be found here.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN TOT*SPOT?
Tot*Spot is currently closed.
- There’s a full-time, dedicated Tot*Spot employee constantly cleaning.
- Surgical room shoe covers are required at all times on adult feet.
- Visitors are provided with “Dirty Toy Bags.”
- All toys are replaced every two hours with clean toys.
- All toys go through a process of deep cleaning in which they are disinfected and washed.
AT WHAT AGE CAN CHILDREN ENJOY THE DISCOVERY CENTER?
We serve children from birth to age 12 and their families. Each of our exhibits and activities has been designed to engage a broad range of children’s ages and interests. The Tot*Spot exhibit is limited to children younger than 35 months and their care providers to provide a safe environment for the little ones.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO FOR OLDER CHILDREN?
All of our exhibits and weekly updated activities are interactive experiences that cater to children of all ages. These are developed with the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS), STEM, and national education standards in mind, which means children will be learning just by exploring all the Museum has to offer!
Each of our exhibits is aligned to Texas school standards (Texas Essential Knowledge Skills) for Kindergarten through 5th grades, with several linkages for what kids are studying in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Let us give you some ideas:
- Personal Financial Literacy – Visit Kidtropolis Wells Fargo Bank and determine where to put your savings. If you save $10 each month, will you earn more by using a piggy bank or a savings account with 5% interest? Can you calculate the difference for 5 years? 10 years?
- Scientific Investigation and Reasoning – At Science Station in How Does it Work, use the scientific inquiry method to complete an experiment. Be sure to ask questions, make inferences, and analyze patterns to arrive at your conclusion.
- Cultural Exploration – At Dragons & Fairies, use research skills to explore the Vietnamese culture by finding its geographic location, common produce, mode of transportation, and clues about daily life. Be sure to distinguish between fact and opinion!
- Economics and Citizenship – Get a job, such as a Veterinarian, Loan Services Manager, Forensics Expert, Sales Manager, Math Specialist or Reporter at one of our Kidtropolis businesses.
- Government – Listen to different arguments about the bully bill, sugar free candy, and wage increase at City Hall, and cast your vote for one or all three issues.
- Creativity – Create an artistic composition using mixed media and principles of design at Junktion or Art Academy.
- Innovation – Program a Dash Robot in How Does it Work to navigate a maze, and play a sound when it reaches the finish line. Can you repeat the sequence with a different sound?
WHERE DO I PARK?
Parking is available in the Imperial Market lot adjacent to the silos, and on Kempner Street. All parking is free.
MAY I BRING IN OUTSIDE FOOD? IS FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE MUSEUM?
No outside food is allowed, however light refreshments such as snacks and drinks are for sale.
WHEN IS THE OUTDOOR PLAY AREA OPENING?
Stay tuned for updates on an outdoor area. Currently, the City of Sugar Land requires that space should the need for emergency vehicles arise as the Imperial Market development continues expansion in the upcoming years.
WHY DOESN’T THE DISCOVERY CENTER USE WRISTBANDS TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN?
For the safety of our young visitors, we require parent supervision and involvement at all times. Wristbands cannot provide the same level of safety.
ARE YOU ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR GROUPS?
We are currently accepting reservations for visits June 15 - September 4, 2021. School visits are currently cancelled through the end of 2021 in order to promote social distancing. Reserve a summer group!
I'M COMING AS A CHAPERONE WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Chaperones must remain with the children for which they are responsible for the entire time. We ask all of our chaperones to be active participants with their children.
DO YOU PROVIDE DISCOUNTS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES?
Please note, limited number of walk-up tickets are available. Online reservations are strongly encouraged.
Lone Star Card admission program allows general free admission for up to 6 individuals receiving TANF, SNAP and WIC benefits. Card holders must present their award letter for the current month or, the app on their phone with their expiration date, a recent receipt that shows that they are using their cards. The Lone Star Card holder of record must be present to gain admission WIC recipients may show their current shopping list or a store receipt that shows the date within the month that they’re visiting.
*Excludes school field trips and special events. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
I WORK OR (VOLUNTEER) AT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. HOW CAN THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE THEM ACCESS TO THE FORT BEND CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER?
The organization staff can apply to have access through the Open Doors Program, that works with non-profit organizations which serve low-income families to ensure everyone can visit the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center at their convenience. There is no charge to become an Open Doors Partner.
For more information, please contact Tiffany Espinosa via email or at (713) 535-7234.
