Learn about regular museum programs & special events at The Curiosity Place. If you’re interested in having your birthday party, private meeting, or other group event, explore our Party Packages
Join us for Summer Camps! Hosted in partnership with NMC, we are hosting 4 weeks of camps at the The Curiosity Place (located inside the Grand Traverse Mall) and at NMC. Please check each camp for the site location.
Register through NMC.
⚾ Support the Great Lakes Children’s Museum with a Night at the Ballpark! ⚾
Love baseball and giving back to the community? Cheer on the Traverse City Pit Spitters while supporting the Great Lakes Children’s Museum at the same time!
Purchase your Pit Spitters tickets through our special fundraising link and a portion of every ticket sold will be donated directly to the museum. It’s an easy and fun way to support hands-on learning, creativity, and curiosity for children throughout our region.
To participate:
• Scan the QR code or use the special ticket link
• Select your game tickets
• Enter promo code: GLCM2026 at checkout
Gather your family, friends, coworkers, or baseball-loving crew and enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark while helping support The Curiosity Place powered by the Great Lakes Children’s Museum.
Thank you for helping us continue to inspire curiosity through play and discovery!
Friday, July 24 | 10:00am–12:00 p.m. — Toddler Yoga Class
From our friends at NurturedMI: Join us for a fun-filled yoga class designed especially for toddlers and their caregivers! Each class combines movement, music, and story time to spark creativity, encourage self-expression, and support social development in a welcoming and engaging environment. Little ones will build coordination, balance, flexibility, and confidence while having a great time. Get ready to stretch, sing, move, and explore together. Every class is a new adventure!
This class is FREE, but pre-registration is required.
Thursday-Saturday* July-August | 10:00am–12:00 p.m. — Free-with-Admission Programs
Join us each week for a series of summer STEAM activities focused on a different theme. From the Great Lakes to Space, our world’s Weather to Our 5 Senses, these programs are designed to get kids inspired to create, discover, and explore. And although general admission reservations are recommended, no separate registration is required. Just drop in to the Curiosity Classroom and join us!
*Because the Curiosity Place will be closed on July 4, there will be no programs offered that day.
Join us for our Homeschool Classes!
Choose from a variety of topics and ages 6-12 years old
Cost is $20/child nonmembers or $15/child for members.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Saturday, February 7 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. — All Hearts Dance Party
For the first time ever, family-friendly D.J. Ryan Schrock of Shoreline Sound will bring his musical talents to the Curiosity Place for the All Hearts Dance Party. There will be lights, bubbles and tunes that everyone can move to!
Families are invited to dress as fancy—or as funky—as they like and hit the dance floor together. Tickets include activities, snacks, full museum admission, and an entry into a door prize raffle for a chance to win a create-your-own critter experience in the Power of Play Store.
Admission
• Children: $13 members / $15 nonmembers
• Adults: $5
Tickets are limited, and advance registration is encouraged.
All proceeds support the Great Lakes Children’s Museum’s mission to provide a foundation for life-long learning through play-based exploration.
Families are encouraged to join the celebration, bring someone they love, and support hands-on learning through play.
A special thank-you to MSU Federal Credit Union, event sponsor, and Shoreline Sound for helping make this event possible.
Spring Break Special
March 27–April 4
Experience Journey Through the Stars at our new Satellite Site inside the Grand Traverse Mall, then explore our new Shipwreck Exhibit at Curiosity Place. Located along the main concourse just a short walk apart, both experiences are included with admission.
Timed tickets are limited—reserve yours now!
Infant Massage Class
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Parents of young infants and expectant parents are invited to join us for a special hands-on infant massage class led by licensed massage therapist Kaitlyn Verbanic of Nurtured MI.
Learn gentle techniques to help soothe common growing pains and digestive discomfort while strengthening the bond between you and your baby. Parents may practice on their own infant or on dolls provided.
Free for members.
Free with admission for non-members.
Advance registration required.
Dec. 20- Jan. 3: Festival of Trains
Join us at Creekside Church for the Annual Festival of Trains!
Santa Visits: Dec 21 from 1-3pm
Dec 31: COUNTDOWN TO NOON PARTY at Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Countdown to Noon is back—and now at our new Curiosity Place location in the Grand Traverse Mall! Join us on December 31 from 10:00am–12:30pm for a family-friendly New Year’s celebration complete with gallery play, festive crafts, and our very own “ball drop” at 12pm sharp. Children over 12 months are $13 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Admission includes regular museum play, GLCM Countdown Party and New Year’s crafts. Adult admission is just $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers, and children under 1 attend free. All proceeds support making Curiosity Place the best place to play in 2026.
So join us December 31 from 10:00am to 12:30pm as we celebrate 2025 and look forward to everything next year has to offer!
A big thank you to our event sponsor, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, for making this event possible!
Oct 25: BOO-BASH at Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Get your tickets for Oct 25th BOO BASH here!
We are making some changes to our program lineup – stay tuned for more!
Get the latest Museum announcements sent right to you.
Sign up for our e-Newsletter for more information on programs, special events and more!
Fundraising events provide funding for unmet program and operational needs. They enable the Museum to generate critical support dollars while also raising awareness of the Museum’s mission, and efforts to achieve the mission. In the end, fundraising events become an opportunity to celebrate the great things happening at the Museum each and every year.
Individuals can support the work by purchasing tickets, attending the events and participating in the different and fun dollar generating opportunities at the event. Corporations can support the work, maintain community presence, and even offer staff networking opportunities through an array of sponsorship opportunities tailored to each event.
Email impact@glcm.org to learn more.
