Events
general events
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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November 20
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December 18
While you're downtown, check out some of the other businesses in the Hotel District participating in 3rd Thursdays!
3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
Thursday, November 20, 5–8pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, join us for a cozy 3rd Thursday movie night at the museum in your coziest outfit! Snuggle up for a cozy movie night featuring Coco.
🎬 Showtime: 5:30pm
🎥 Runtime: 1h 45m (105 min)
🎟️ Museum admission: $3 per person (4–8pm)
🍿 Bonus: Enjoy free popcorn while you watch!
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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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November 18
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December 4
Healing with Play
Thursday, November 20, 4-8pm
Saturday, November 22, 10am-2pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Two Special Healing with Play Events at GRCM This November!
GRCM is part of a national initiative called Healing with Play. This year, the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) is partnering with the New York Life Foundation and Knology to launch Healing with Play, a field-wide initiative recognizing the unique role children’s museums can play during Children’s Grief Awareness Month.
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3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
Thursday, November 20, 4–8pm
In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, join us for a cozy 3rd Thursday evening at the museum! Snuggle up for a cozy movie night featuring Coco — the film begins at 5:30pm. As part of 3rd Thursday, admission is just $3 from 4-8pm. -
Healing with Play Partner Programming
Saturday, November 22, 10am–2pm
Community partners will join us for special programming focused on emotional healing, resilience, and the power of play to help children express and process big feelings. Included with regular museum admission.
Giftworks!
December 2-23
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Each day we offer a new handmade project to create, wrap, and share with someone special. Thank you to our Giftworks sponsors: Glenn Morris & Associates & Autoowner's Insurance.
daily programs
Dec 2 + 3 Puzzles
Dec 4, 5, + 6 Wooden Magnets
Dec 7 + 9 Pencil Cases
Dec 10 + 11 Wreaths
Dec 12 + 13 Shrinky Dinks
Dec 14 + 16 Beaded Suncatchers
Dec 17, 18, + 19 Photo Frames
Dec 20 + 21 Wooden Magnets
Dec 22 + 23 Shrinky Dinks
Winter Break at GRCM
December 18-23, 26-30, Jan 2-4
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join us daily for special activities and performers—free with museum admission!
Dec 2 - 23 Giftworks
Friday, Dec 26
10 AM - 12 PM Full Bloom Yoga
1 - 3 PM Mr. Juggling Man
Saturday, Dec 27 + Sunday, Dec 28
9 AM - 3 PM Woodworking Studio
Monday, Dec 29
10 AM - 12 PM Boredom Fighters
1 - 3 PM Cirque Amongus
Tuesday, Dec 30
10 AM - 12 PM Opera Tots
1 - 3 PM Mr. Juggling Man
museum closes at 3 PM
Friday, Jan 2
10 AM - 12 PM Drumming with Josh
1 - 3 PM Boredom Fighters
Saturday, Jan 3 + Sunday, Jan 4
9 AM - 3 PM Woodworking Studio
Tickets on sale December 1st!
New Year's Early Eve
December 30, 5-8pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join us for our confetti-filled annual celebration & make a wish for the new year with your little ones, all before bedtime.
This enchanting evening will include:
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Glitter Booth photo booth
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Ball drop with confetti
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Facepainting
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Music and dancing
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Snacks, noisemakers, and FUN
Tickets:
$26 general admission
$16 members
$16 museums for all
Under 1 free
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:
Stay tuned for more playtimes in 2026!
member events
Member Morning
Monday, December 8, 9am-12pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
GRCM members, join us for a special Member Monday as we celebrate the season! Dress in your favorite holiday pajamas as we play from 9am to 12pm. We'll be decorating cookies, drinking hot cocoa, making shrinky dink keychain holiday gifts, winter window painting, and snowy sensory play. ☕✨
Save the date for upcoming members-only playtimes:
⭐ Monday, December 8 ➡️ Winter Wonderland
⭐ Monday, February 9 ➡️ Valentine's Tea & Cocoa Party
⭐ Monday, March 9 ➡️ Member Playtime
grown-up events
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Thingamajigs Gifts Winter Sale
Saturday, December 6, 5-7pm
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
We’re Enjoy a relaxed, grown-ups-only shopping evening at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum!
Shop while the museum is closed and discover unique, play-based gifts for everyone on your list—plus experience gifts like year-long memberships and gift passes.
✨ Perks for shoppers:
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Complimentary gift wrapping
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20% off purchases for GRCM Members
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20% off annual memberships (in-person only, one night only!)
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Festive giveaways throughout the evening
Shop local, support GRCM’s mission, and give the gift of PLAY this holiday season!