Events
general events
Loving Day Celebration
June 12, 9am-4pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join us for West Michigan’s Loving Day Celebration, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and Ebony Road Players. We will celebrate the many different faces of family at the museum with hands-on activities, planting seeds, and more!
Each year in observance of Loving Day, celebrated internationally on June 12, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and Ebony Road Players produces programming to highlight the monumental court case of Loving v. Virginia. In this Supreme Court ruling in 1967, interracial marriage was decriminalized in all 50 states.
Third Thursdays
Monthly, 4-8pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join us for 3rd Thursdays at GRCM!
Save the date for these upcoming playtimes!
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June 18
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July 16
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August 20
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September 17
While you're downtown, check out some of the other businesses in the Hotel District participating in 3rd Thursdays!
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Tots & Coffee Club
Monthly, 9-11am
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join us for a special monthly morning of play & connection with other toddlers & their grownups while you sip complimentary drinks from our GRCM Coffee Bar!
Save the date for these upcoming playtimes!
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Tues, May 26, 2026
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Tues, June 23, 2026
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Tues, July 28, 2026
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Tues, Aug 25, 2026
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Tues, Sept 22, 2026
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Tues, Oct 27, 2026
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Tues, Nov 24, 2026
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Tues, Dec 8, 2026
Sensory Friendly Playtime at GRCM
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Together with Autism Support of Kent County, GRCM welcomes families to play in a calmer, quieter environment outside of regular Museum hours. Free to attend but registration required.
Upcoming playtimes:
Monday, August 3, 2026 | 5-7pm
Monday, November 2, 2026 | 5-7pm
Friends Just Like Me
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum for Friends Just Like Me, a special after-hours celebration of World Down Syndrome Day! Wear your mismatched socks and DSAWM gear and enjoy free play with full access to the museum.
This event is free, but RSVP is required through DSAWM.
Questions? Email program@dsawm.org.
Upcoming playtimes:
TBD
member events
Members-only Exhibit Preview
Friday, May 22, 5-7pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
GRCM members, be the first to explore! ✈️
Join us for a members-only preview playtime on Friday, May 22 from 5-7pm in our new traveling exhibit: AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen featuring Black Wings, American Dreams of Flight. Be the first to play in this brand new exhibit before it opens to the public on Saturday, May 23 at 9am!
This Friday night playtime is free to attend for GRCM members, but rsvp required.
Save the date for upcoming members-only playtimes:
⭐ Friday, May 22, 5-7pm ➡️ Member Exhibit Preview
⭐ Monday, June 8, 9am-12pm ➡️ Member Playtime
⭐ Monday, July 13, 9am-12pm ➡️ Member Playtime
⭐ Monday, August 10, 5-7pm ➡️ Member Exhibit Preview
⭐ Monday, October 12, 9am-12pm ➡️ Boo Bash
⭐ Monday, November 9, 9am-12pm ➡️ Member Playtime
⭐ Monday, December 14, 9am-12pm ➡️ Winter wonderland
grown-up events
Let's Play Golf Outing
Monday, June 22, 2026
Thornapple Pointe Golf Course
Proceeds from the 6th Annual Let’s Play! Golf Outing will help the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum continually provide funding by supporting our efforts to bring play to all children in our community through open-ended programs, exhibits, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.
Teams are filled, but you can join the waitlist. Sponsorship support is still available.
State of Play Breakfast Fundraiser
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum as we continue our mission of building minds through play at our 7th Annual State of Play breakfast fundraiser.
RSVP details coming this Summer.