How We Play

At Gilbert House Children’s Museum, our mission is to inspire young imaginations by offering families a welcoming space to explore, learn, and create through the power of play. We are committed to maintaining a fun, safe, and engaging environment for all visitors. To ensure that everyone can have an enjoyable experience, we ask that all visitors follow these simple guidelines. If you need assistance or have any questions, our staff is here to help!

A silhouette of a young girl blowing bubbles inside a blue circle, overlaid on a large yellow circle with purple, green, and orange bubbles in the background.
Three overlapping abstract circles in blue, orange, and yellow, representing the colorful and playful brand identity of the Gilbert House Children's Museum.

    • Supervision is key—children must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) at all times.

    • Use exhibits, tools, and spaces as intended. If you're unsure how something works, our staff is happy to assist.

    • Help us keep the Museum safe by reporting any spills, damages, or concerns to a staff member promptly.

    • Always Use Helping Hands—Explore, share, and put things away. We encourage visitors to treat exhibits and spaces with care and to help keep our museum tidy for all.

  • Creating a positive environment begins with how we treat one another. Please engage with other visitors, Museum staff, and exhibits with kindness and respect. This includes:

    • Using positive, encouraging, and appropriate language at all times.

    • Walking at all times inside the houses—running is not permitted indoors to ensure everyone’s safety. Running is allowed in the ODA.

    • Keeping voices at a reasonable volume to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

    • Taking turns and sharing exhibit components, props, and play spaces.

    • Being patient and understanding—especially with young children who are actively learning and exploring through play.

    • Treating exhibits and Museum materials with care—please do not climb on exhibits unless they are specifically designed for climbing or active movement.

    • Showing courtesy and appreciation to our staff—who are here to help create an enjoyable experience for all.

    • Make Memories, Don’t Miss Them!—You are your child’s first teacher and playmate. We encourage a screen-free experience, unless capturing precious memories. Stay present and engaged with your child during your visit!

    • Clean up after play—help us keep the Museum inviting for the next guests.

    • Refrain from eating or drinking in gallery spaces—food and beverages are only allowed in designated areas.

    • Respect personal space—playful interaction is welcome, but physical aggression or roughhousing is not.

    • Stay Together, Play Together—Adults MUST stay with their children at all times! This ensures safety and helps families make the most of their Museum visit.

A black and white line art graphic of an Erector Set structure in the shape of a house, featuring the words "Play," "Create," "Invent," and "Explore" integrated into the scaffolding design.

Prohibited Behaviors & Removal Policy

We strive to maintain a welcoming and neutral environment for all families to focus on play and learning together. Clothing and accessories should be appropriate for children to view, not be offensive or profane, and avoid content that could be seen as provocative or divisive.

Three overlapping abstract circles in blue, orange, and yellow, representing the colorful and playful brand identity of the Gilbert House Children's Museum.

    • Offensive, abusive, threatening, or discriminatory behavior toward guests or staff.

    • Endangering oneself or others, including running, climbing (where not permitted), or rough play.

    • Fighting, provoking physical altercations, or engaging in disruptive conduct.

    • Damaging, defacing, or tampering with Museum property or exhibits.

    • Use of hate speech or symbols targeting race, gender identity, religion, sexuality, nationality, age, or physical abilities.

    • Displaying clothing or accessories with offensive, profane, inappropriate, or provocative language or imagery unsuitable for a family environment.

    • Displaying clothing or accessories that promote division or discord, or that could be reasonably interpreted as taking a stance on sensitive public issues.

    • Unauthorized distribution of literature or solicitation.

    • Interfering with or obstructing Museum staff duties.

    • Gambling, soliciting, or campaigning on Museum grounds.

    • Indecent exposure or inappropriate behavior.

    • Smoking or using tobacco or e-cigarettes on Museum property.

    • Eating or drinking in restricted areas.

    • Any other behavior deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or threatening by staff.

    • Adults are not permitted to wear costume masks; children may do so. Vision-obstructing masks may be discouraged.

    • Adults may not carry toy weapons or large props through the Museum.

Prohibited Items

A silhouette of a young girl blowing bubbles inside a blue circle, overlaid on a large yellow circle with purple, green, and orange bubbles in the background.

    • Firearms (except law enforcement personnel)

    • Knives, pepper spray, stun guns, or other weapons

    • Toy guns or realistic weapon props

    • Illegal drugs

    • Alcohol not sold on Museum premises

    • Explosives or fireworks

    • Hazardous materials

    • Drones or remote-controlled flying devices

    • Hoverboards, skateboards, or shoes with wheels

    • Segways (unless required for accessibility)

    • Balloons outside of designated area

    • Tripods or professional photography gear (without prior approval)

    • Any item deemed unsafe or inappropriate by staff

Animal Policy

    • Only ADA-recognized service animals are permitted inside the Museum. A service animal is an animal individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability.

      • Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times, typically on a leash or harness.

      • They are welcome in all public areas of the Museum and must stay with their handler.

      • Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their service animals.

      • Service animals should be in good health and free from communicable diseases.

      • The Museum reserves the right to ask for the removal of any animal that is uncontrolled, disruptive, or poses a health or safety risk to others.

  • Pets and emotional support animals (ESAs) are not allowed on Museum property. Our policy aligns with ADA guidelines which distinguish between service animals and other animals.

  • Please do not leave any animals unattended in vehicles on Museum property, including in our parking lots.