Long Island Children's Museum — Attraction in Town of Hempstead

I’d enjoyed this museum many, many times over the years since my almost 18 year old was born. However, this museum has become quite antisemitic. I was chastised for eating apple slices in the water play area of the Backyard. Yet, there’s no signage that food isn’t permitted in the area either in that area or on the website AND a toddler played in the water while holding a snack bag of Pirate’s Booty without comment. When I called to ask if food was permitted in the outdoor water play area after I was chastised, I was told it was permitted over the phone. Yet, when an employee and a manager came outside to speak with me and saw I’m an Orthodox Jewish woman, food all of the sudden became forbidden in the water play area. I understand that religious Jews are no longer welcomed at this museum. It’s surprising that a museum with a rainbow sign saying “safe space for all” is so antisemitic.

I made the mistake of not leaving LICM immediately after the antisemitism by the water play area because my three year old was having fun. About an hour later, the same employee started following me around the second floor. I walked away from her to avoid her. The employee walked increasingly faster so I walked faster and faster. The employee called after me repeatedly. I initially ignored her as she followed me. I finally turned around and informed her that I didn’t have anything to say to her. The employee yelled after me that she reported to management that there needs to be signs in the Backyard.

I went down to the front desk and reported the additional harassment to the Manager. The Manager refused to tell me her own name or anyone else’s name while hiding her name badge. The director of visitor’s services, Ms O’Mallery, came over. I recapped the incident by the water play area and being chased around the second floor. Ms O’Mallery offered to refund my admission or provide me with complimentary passes to return. I refused both and explained that I don’t patronize antisemitic establishments where I and my kind aren’t welcomed. I ask how the antisemitic employees will be handled and even when this alleged new signage for no eating in the Backyard will be added - I wasn’t provided with any answers.

This response to my initial review this past Wednesday (that I’m editing now because I can’t figure out how to respond to the museum’s reply to my post in a new message) is frankly a patronizing coverup of the antisemitism I experienced. No policy other than the LICM’s policy of antisemitism when I spoke with Ms. O’Mallery, the director of...

3 of 5 stars because the pace was clean and educational.

I arrived at noon and there wasn't a wait to enter. I did have to wait 30 minutes for one of the activities to start but that wasn't anything to run home about because that was the scheduled time. There are various rooms and things to view which is nice and the place was well kept. The staff seemed pretty friendly and dress child appropriate. The one main issue I had is my nephew became thirsty and when I went to the ONE cafeteria area to purchase food, the vending machine wasn't working. One had an out of order sign taped to the outside of the machine and the one I tried to purchase apple juice from wouldn't deliver. After tapping my card and the machine registered $5, I didn't dare try to use the other 2. I complained to management who said I have to call the number on the machine. Pretty awful. I couldnt do all of that with my nephew. One customer mentioned she doesn't think it's working because the applesauce packet was stuck 😳 I hadn't noticed that until she said it. So I had to cut my trip short because my 2 year old nephew was thirsty and he didn't want water. He drank all the apple juice I had in his sippy cup until it was dry to the bone. I should mention, no outside food is allowed but thank GOD he had a sippy cup or GOD knows.

They should have a better system to offer food or a regular counter with drinks for purchase bcs when machines go down what are we supposed to do😤😶🙄

Caution, I paid for 1 adult and 1 child ticket $38 plus a AAA discount drove it down to about $32. I inquired about the 🎠 carousel ride, which is 2 buildings over (see photos) and I told the cashier I'd pay for the tickets now. She suggested I pay later when I get there but I told her I'd rather pay now. I get to the carousel ride, show my receipt and the ticket agent said I have to pay. I explained I did and he said it doesn't seem that way. So I paid $8 for myself an 2 year old. What a shame because he didn't even like the ride. Nevertheless, the ride was nice and clean as was the building.

I would say, bring your own food and leave it in a cooler in the car if it's summertime to assure you have something for the children. Check your 🎟 tickets after paying to make sure you receive what you asked for. It can be difficult when you're dealing with a 2 year old but...

I visited the LICM yesterday with my 11-year-old daughter and her best friend. We came 2 hours prior to seeing the on-site stage performance of Frederick and while I was worried that maybe the girls would blast through all of the exhibits and be whining that we had to wait until 2pm for the show, I was wrong! They took a half hour break with me in the cafeteria to eat lunch we'd packed (but know that the vending machines have quite a few healthy options if you aren't prepared for an onset of hunger when you come to visit and they all take credit card / apple pay / cash) before running back around the museum to do things they missed or wanted to do again. They even wanted to climb in the "habitrail" as I call it...TWICE!

I was concerned that the Frederick performance might be too babyish for them, but all 3 of us enjoyed it immensely. The songs were beautiful and performed perfectly, the sets and set changes were adorable and one of the most impressive aspects of the show was the pit orchestra! They have live music for a children's show--a violin, a guitar and an organ as well as tambourine played by one of the actors. All of the small children in the audience sat for the full hour without incident and my crew was laughing and clapping during parts too. I liked that they took questions from the audience at the end and you can meet and greet with the performers--we recognized the man who played the part of Ernest from another performance elsewhere (he is fantastic!). All of the performers sang incredibly well and the direction was spot on. We would definitely see a show here again and it's nice to do it the way we did--play first in the museum, then take a load off, sit back, relax and enjoy the show before heading home.

A...