Visiting a glass museum with kids? It might not sound like it goes together, but planning a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass with kids is a great family activity in New York state.
The Corning Museum of Glass is a great family friendly glass museum south of Rochester, NY. Offering world renowned artist, family fun glass making classes, and engaging activities the Corning Museum of Glass is with kids is a great destination.
If you are planning a day trip from Rochester, NY or staying close by in Corning, Watkins Glen, Ithaca area the Corning Museum of Glass is a great addition to your family travel itinerary.
Where is the Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass is located in Corning, New York. It is south of Rochester, New York
Tickets for the Corning Museum of Glass
Corning Museum of Glass tickets are $20.00 for adults and free for kids 17 and under. The admission ticket is good for two consecutive days. They offer AAA discounts as well as 62+ and college discounts.
Tips for Planning Your Visit to The Corning Museum of Glass
Corning Museum of Glass is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm September through May and until 8:00 pm in the summer months. It is open every day except New Years Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.
- Register for classes early.
- Arrive early.
- Check times for demos and familiarize yourself with the map.
- Strollers are allowed.
- Photography is allowed but no flashes. Some artwork says “No Photo”.
- Food is allowed in the café area only. There are also picnic areas outside during the warmer months.
Classes at Corning Glass Museum
Corning Museum of Glass classes offer many activities for all ages at the Studio. I highly recommend making reservations. This was a last minute trip for us and many classes were sold out.
We were able to make reservations for Sandblasting and the kids really enjoyed it. Some classes require the glass to cool overnight so plan accordingly or you can have your glass shipped. Check with the class to see if shipping is included in the cost of the class.
Our Sandblasting class was in the studio. This is in building 9. If you enter through the front entrance you take the escalator downstairs, walk through the gift shop, and walk outside to the studio building.
We arrived at the Sandblasting class about 10 minutes early and were seated immediately. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and explained the project to the kids. There were many sticker choices like animals, cars, hearts, and shapes.
When they were finished putting the stickers on they lined up for the sandblasting machine. The studio has staff to do the sandblasting part and there are stools for the kids to stand on. It was really cool to see how the glass transformed.
After it was done they wrap it up for you and your can take it home. It is a really fun activity and is great for all ages.
Things to do at the Corning Museum of Glass with Kids
One of our favorite things to do at the Corning Museum of Glass with the kids are the scavenger hunts. We visited Corning Museum when the kids were 8, 6, and 4 years old as well as 13, 11, and 9. Both time the scavenger hunt was one of their favorite activities.
My kids loved this! They walked around with their scavenger hunt book and pencil(provided) and learned about inspiration and art. I was so impressed with this activity.
Teaching kids about art and inspiration is not always easy. The scavenger hunt made it fun and exciting. My 4 year old, 6 year old, and 8 year old were all very entertained.
When visiting the Corning Museum of Glass you want to make sure you organize your day around the glassmaking shows.
These run at different times of the day and are incredible! It amazes us every time to see how they turn the glass into something beautiful.
The kids loved the glass breaking demo. I really liked the Hot Glass Demo but it was a lot of repetition because of the constant heating of the glass.
My 4 year old got a little tired during this. The great thing is you can easily sit in the back and sneak out if your little one gets antsy. Check the daily schedule here.
I highly recommend making the demos part of your visit. The staff that leads the classes are amazing. They are engaging and answer any questions that people have.
At the end of a few demos they even hand out a souvenir to a few lucky guests!!
If you are fans of the Blown Away series be sure to check out their exhibit specifically dedicated with pieces from the show. The Contemporary Glass gallery is another family favorite for us.
Visiting the Corning Museum of Glass is always fun because on each visit we get to see the art through the lens of the kids at different ages. Our experience when they were little was different than our experience as they have gotten older.
If you can plan a holiday visit you will see seasonal glass art work at the museum. The glass tree is really beautiful.
Where to Eat at the Corning Museum of Glass with Kids
The Corning Museum of Glass has the best museum food court I have ever had. With vegetarian options and different cuisines to choose from there really is something for everyone.
Taking little kids or big kids to the Corning Museum of Glass is a great New York state destination. It is a family favorite that we like to visit year after year.
Read Next: 12 Best New York State Attractions for Families
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