Children's Museum of Virginia

04/25/2025

Love the Children’s Museum of Virginia? We’re giving away an annual membership to all 5 Portsmouth Museums. Enter to win by telling us which exhibit at the Children's Museum of Virginia is your favorite 👇 Drop your answer in the comments below!

Winners will be chosen at random on Monday, April 28th by 4pm via comment and direct message. Don’t miss this chance to win a Portsmouth Museums Membership! Annual membership perks include:

✨ Daily admission to the Children’s Museum of Virginia
✨ Access to 4 more incredible museums:
• Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
• Lightship Portsmouth Museum
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
• Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum
✨ Plus exclusive member perks:
• Special pricing on birthday parties, classes & workshops
• $2 off admission for your guests at the Children’s Museum
• 15% off at Portsmouth Museums Gift Shops & Welcome Center

*We’ll never ask for credit card or any other personal information for this contest. Winners will be selected and receive a direct message on Monday, April 28th with more information.

04/25/2025

It’s art from the heart 🎨 Celebrate the creativity and imagination of young artists at the Children's Museum of Virginia! We're proud to showcase award-winning artwork from Portsmouth Public Schools' talented K–6 students.

🖼️ On display April 26 – May 25.

You won’t want to miss this inspiring collection: https://brnw.ch/21wSe7M

*Included with museum admission

04/24/2025

All aboard 🚂 Don’t miss your chance to join Thomas & Friends for playful learning and rail yard fun on the Island of Sodor! Our Thomas & Friends exhibit is almost over — experience the magic of everyone’s favorite steam engines before it’s gone!

Hurry, it’s included with regular admission. Plan your visit today: https://brnw.ch/21wSbaW

So much to see, do & explore! 2 full floors packed with fun & educational exhibits to engage & delight kids of all ages!

04/17/2025

Exciting opportunity at the Portsmouth Museums & Welcome Center! Are you passionate about creating memorable experiences and bringing joy to families and young visitors? We’re looking for a Gift Shop Manager who’s ready to lead with creativity, customer focus, and a love for all things museum-inspired!

🛍️ Now Hiring: Museum Gift Shop Manager

Be part of a dynamic team, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the visitor experience from the moment they walk in to the moment they take home a piece of the magic. Apply today and explore more career opportunities with the City of Portsmouth: https://brnw.ch/21wS3Lt

From the arts, history and culture to a museum just for kids, Portsmouth’s collection of museums offers something for everyone to discover. Plan your visit today!

04/16/2025

One small act of kindness can change the world. Join Andalo on Saturday, April 19 to read 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 by Marie Voigt, a heartwarming story about the magic of paying it forward. This beautifully written tale reminds us that every kind gesture - big or small - has the power to brighten someone else’s day.

📚 Storytimes at 11:30am & 1:30pm

Let’s celebrate compassion, connection and the joy of giving. Learn more at Andalo’s Library: https://brnw.ch/21wS2xA

*Included with museum admission

In this month’s story, we learn about the positive effects of caring and kindness – and how a simple smile can spread happiness far and wide. Included with museum admission.

04/15/2025

Military families, you’re invited to a week of creativity and celebration, from April 16–18, with special activities from 12–3pm:

🇺🇸 April 16 – Design Your Own Dog Tag
🎨 April 17 – Face Painting Fun
✈️ April 18 – Build & Fly Paper Airplanes & Helicopters

Plus, your wristband gets you access to 2 more Portsmouth museums for kite making & soap carving! Start at the Children’s Museum of Virginia with a special, discounted ticket price for military families. Let’s make this week unforgettable! Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wRZ3Q

Join us for Military Family Days, a 3-day celebration of fun, creativity and community across three museums – and your discounted Children’s Museum admission gets you free access to the other 2 museums!

04/14/2025

Summer’s almost here. Fill it with educational fun for your family by becoming a Portsmouth Museums member! You'll enjoy free admission all year to the Children’s Museum of Virginia and four other Portsmouth Museums, discounts on birthday parties and at the gift shop, special member nights and more. Learn about our membership options: https://brnw.ch/21wRZuu

04/11/2025

Join us for Military Family Days – a 3-day celebration of fun, creativity & community across 3 Portsmouth museums! For military families, discounted admission at the Children’s Museum of Virginia gets you FREE access to 2 more museums! There’s dog tag designing, face painting, paper airplanes, kite making, soap carving & more 🇺🇸 Let’s celebrate the strength & spirit of military kids – one adventure at a time. Get details: https://brnw.ch/21wRWNq

Join us for Military Family Days, a 3-day celebration of fun, creativity and community across three museums – and your discounted Children’s Museum admission gets you free access to the other 2 museums!

04/09/2025

Spring break is here and there’s no better place to be than the Children’s Museum of Virginia 🌼 Dive into a world of interactive fun, special activities and endless discoveries for the whole family! From hands-on exhibits to exciting new experiences, every day is an adventure waiting to happen!

Don’t miss out — reserve your spot today for a spring break filled with fun and learning: https://brnw.ch/21wRTtU

*Online reservations are required.

Don’t miss our Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! exhibit. Come help Thomas work hard, solve problems and have some fun along with all the engines from the Island of Sodor.

04/07/2025

Choo-choo into springtime fun 🚂 Join us at the Children's Museum of Virginia for our Second Saturdays and Special Needs Sundays events featuring Thomas the Tank Engine! Explore hands-on activities, exciting adventures and spring-inspired fun for all ages. Let the journey begin!

Don't miss out on the fun — learn more and grab your tickets here: https://brnw.ch/21wRQrn

*Use code ANDALO to purchase tickets for Special Needs Sundays

04/07/2025

04/05/2025

Andalo was so Hoppy to see everyone at the Bunny Hop 5k & 1 Mile Family Fun Run today! 🐰🏅

Thank you to the Portsmouth Museums Foundation for such a fun race!

04/04/2025

Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure at The Children’s Museum of Virginia 🚀 Bring the whole family to explore April's exciting Beazley Planetarium shows, including Thomas & Friends, Thunderbird, Planet Earth and more!

🚂 Thomas & Friends: Bubbling Boilers | 11am
Embark on a thrilling adventure as we race against time to find Thomas, who’s lost in an old mine during Mr. Bubbles’ bubble party.

🌟 To Seek Far: Thunderbird | 11am
Transcend time and space to immerse yourself in Navajo culture and discover how the Thunderbird, the changing seasons and the connection between Earth and sky weave together.

🚀 Oasis in Space | 12pm & 2pm
Voyage through the startling and beautiful universe, galaxy and solar system in search of the key ingredient for life on Earth: liquid water.

🌎 Dynamic Earth | 1pm & 3pm
Ride the swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a powerful hurricane, face off with sharks and soar into erupting volcanoes as we uncover the inner workings of Earth's global climate.

Get your tickets here: https://brnw.ch/21wRNBK

*All shows are included with museum admission.

04/03/2025

Ever wondered how tiny things shape our world? 🔬 On NanoDays at The Children’s Museum of Virginia, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of the super small! Get ready for hands-on activities, mind-blowing experiments, and cool demos that will make you see the “nano” world in a whole new way. Presented by Norfolk State University.

Grab your tickets now and join us for a day of BIG fun in a nano world: https://brnw.ch/21wRM5o

*Included with museum admission.

04/01/2025

Ready to hop, run and have fun for a great cause? Join us for the 10th Annual Bunny Hop 5K & 1 Mile Family Fun Run on Saturday morning, April 5th, at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion! Enjoy a scenic run along the Portsmouth Waterfront, followed by face painting, music, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Sign up today & support the Children’s Museum of Virginia: https://brnw.ch/21wRIV9

03/27/2025

Exciting career opportunities at the Children’s Museum of Virginia! Do you have a passion for inspiring young minds to imagine and explore? We want YOU to join our team!

We’re currently hiring for:
✨Museum Services Supervisor
✨Customer Service Specialist (Part-Time & Full-Time)

Make a meaningful impact and apply today! Learn more and explore all City of Portsmouth job openings here: https://brnw.ch/21wRCOf

03/26/2025

The 10th Annual Bunny Hop 5K & 1-Mile Family Fun Run is bouncing back on Saturday, April 5th, at Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion! Don't miss this fun-filled tradition for the whole family. Lace up your sneakers and register today to support the Children’s Museum of Virginia!

🐰 Scenic course along the Portsmouth Waterfront
🐰 DJ dance party, face painting & family activities
🐰 Chick-fil-A sandwiches & refreshments
🐰 Awards & after-party at MoMac Brewing Company

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wRBaf

03/25/2025

Bring your homeschool curriculum to life with a day of discovery, creativity, and FUN 👩‍⚕️ Celebrate Women’s History Month with an unforgettable homeschool experience at the Children’s Museum of Virginia! Dive into a world of hands-on learning with workshops, live demonstrations, interactive sample classes, educational games, planetarium shows and so much more!

Mark your calendars and learn more about Homeschool day: https://brnw.ch/21wRzqO