Small Explorers December Program

December Program - 2025/2026 Year

Small Explorers is the New Jersey State Museum's program for families with children ages 1-5. Hundreds of families have experienced the magic of exploring the Museum in these sessions and now you can too! Each session meets in our Discovery Den play space and begins with an interactive story time. Families move together to playfully explore a gallery and end in our classroom space with thematic activity stations including a craft to take home. Sessions are designed to maximize caregiver-child interaction and connect with a community of families to share in exploration. Each session is 45 minutes long and we meet October to June. Attend an individual session or come to all 9 sessions for a full year of learning!

New Jersey State Museum Foundation members receive 10% off registration, contact Melissa.Mantz@sos.nj.gov for discount code.

New this year we are offering two options for sessions: Saturday or Thursday morning at 9:30am. The December session is only offered once, on December 13.

This program is open to any local family with children ages 1-5. Each month's program will be listed separately on Humanitix.

December Program: Space Extravaganza!

One session only on Dec. 13, 9:30 am - 12:00 noon.

This special event is a winter solstice tradition. It's the only session to include a Planetarium show with your session fee! Caregivers and children will participate in activities that introduce the stars and constellations that exist in our night’s sky. Families will have the opportunity to learn more about the Earth’s moon and participate in activities that engage in observation and play. All participants will attend a showing of One World, One Sky in the Planetarium and take home multiple arts and crafts projects related to the theme. After the show, families are welcome to participate in more activities or explore the Museum on your own. This event is different from the other sessions and has a capacity of over 200 people so it will be more of a celebration than the regular small learning groups.

Fees and policies

• Age range: Children ages 12 months to 5 years. Children over 5 are not allowed. Siblings younger than 12 months can attend for free.

• Cost: Sessions are $20.00 per child. Each additional sibling receives a 20% discount. Caregivers attend free.

• Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend the session please contact us to apply your purchase to another session within the 2025/2026 schedule. Tickets expire June 18, 2026.

• Session fee includes all activities and craft to take home.

About our Instructor for 2025/2026

Jessica Tackes joined the NJ State Museum in spring 2025 as an Education Associate. She earned her B.A. in Drawing and Art History at Illinois State University and her M.A. in Art History at American University in Washington, D.C. Having worked in education for several museums and fine arts organizations since 2019, she is excited to bring her experience and love for teaching to the Small Explorers program. She is passionate about making education accessible for everyone and hopes to inspire the next generation of young learners through her work. When she is not teaching, she is spending quality time with her husband and 2 year old daughter whose boundless energy and curiosity motivates her every day.