Children's Museum of the Arts in New York, NY 10013

Children's Museum of the Arts is the winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Artsy Class and Best Day Camp for Big Kids in New York City.

CMA's mission is to encourage children between the ages of one and 12 to develop their full creative potential through the visual and performing arts. Children can view special exhibitions, participate in hands-on workshops, enjoy independent projects and activities, or play in the ball pond.

Just setting one foot in the door tells you how beloved it is; the entry is literally jammed with strollers. The narrow space is brilliantly utilized, with a main floor and a downstairs (protected by a gate both top and bottom) for seriously messy art endeavors.

During public hours, children are invited to participate in hands on art activities that celebrate different mediums - paint, collage, 3D sculpture and all kinds of found objects. Each day there are at least three open art tables where the kids can work at their own pace with their adult companion(s), and one guided workshop, where kids work in small groups with a working artist. On weekends and holidays CMA hosts a variety of workshops and performances.

CMA also has a great afterschool art program for children ages five to 12. Check the website for current offerings.

The Museum is available for birthday parties and special events. Private parties can be held Saturday or Sunday mornings or evenings, or in the evening on Thursdays or Fridays. You can also have a party while the museum is open to the public at other hours, if that's more convenient for you. Contact CMA for current prices and packages.

Summer camp is offered for children ages six to twelve, in week-long increments. The program runs weekdays from 10am-4pm, with additional supervision available from 9am-5pm, at a cost of $500/week for non-members; $450/week for members.

In partnership with the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, CMA's Summer Art Colony is housed in two buildings on the island. Campers meet CMA Staff for the eight-minute ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Building each day at 9am and return to Manhattan at 5pm. Most classes on Governors Island are offered in two-week long sessions, and include advanced classes for children ages seven to 14.

We strongly advise becoming a member of CMA. In addition to supporting the programs and exhibitions, your membership dues give you 10% discounts to the WEE Artists Program, the afterschool program, the Art Colony program, and CMA's fabulous birthday parties. Members also receive the CMA News, a quarterly newsletter, and invitations to private holiday parties. CMA Family Membership ($200, of which $125 is tax-deductible) offers unlimited admission for all children from one household and two accompanying adults.