Delaware Children's Museum
The Riverfront's indoor playground for toddlers and preschoolers — rain or shine.
The Quick Version
- • Indoor, interactive, and designed for ages 2-8. It's basically a curated play space with educational theming.
- • Free parking in Riverfront Lot K right at the museum.
- • Plan 90 minutes to 2 hours. There's enough to fill the time but it's not a full-day destination.
- • Best rainy-day option in NCC for the toddler/preschool set.
Best Ages
2-7
Plan For
90 minutes - 2 hours
Adults
$15
Kids
$15 (ages 1+)
What to Expect
DCM is a hands-on children's museum on the Wilmington Riverfront. It's not the Please Touch Museum (nothing in Delaware is) — it's smaller, simpler, and more low-key. But for NCC families with kids under 7, it's the go-to indoor play option.
The museum has themed zones: a water play area (bring a change of clothes), building/construction zone, art space, pretend-play areas, and a toddler-specific area for the youngest visitors. Everything is interactive and designed to be touched, climbed on, and explored.
The vibe is casual and community-oriented. It's not flashy. Parents chat on benches while kids run between exhibits. On weekday mornings, you might be one of three families there — which is great for little ones who need space.
Who It's Best For
The sweet spot is ages 2-6. Everything is built at their scale. Toddlers love the water play area and the train table. Preschoolers get into the building zone and pretend play areas. Kids 8+ will be bored within an hour.
Highlights
Water Play Area
Ages 2-6The most popular section. Water tables, channels, and flow experiments. Kids will get wet — there are smocks available but bring a change of clothes.
Building Zone
Ages 2-7Blocks, magnetic tiles, and construction materials at kid height. Good for extended parallel play. The big foam blocks are a toddler favorite.
Pretend Play Area
Ages 2-6Play kitchen, grocery store, and dress-up. Classic children's museum fare, well-stocked and maintained.
Toddler Zone
Ages 0-3Enclosed area for the youngest visitors with soft climbing, sensory panels, and age-appropriate toys. A safe space for crawlers and early walkers.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Visiting on a Saturday morning during school break — it gets packed and overwhelming for little ones.
- • Expecting a full-day activity. It's good for 90 minutes to 2 hours, then kids are ready to move on.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$15
Kids
$15 (ages 1+)
Under
Under 1 free
Same price for adults and children. Slightly steep for what it is, but standard for children's museums. CAPs Night on the third Wednesday of most months (excluding September): $2 admission 5–8 PM, members free.
Membership tip: Family membership is $149/yr (covers two adults + two children for 13 months). Worth it if you visit monthly — especially as a rainy-day backup plan. Includes reciprocal ACM benefits.
Getting There
Parking
Free in Riverfront Lot K, right at the museum on Justison St. Plenty of spaces on most days.
Lot K is the easy default. Avoid the adjacent hotel/private lots — they're posted for guests only.
Entrance
Front entrance on Justison Street. Small lobby with admission desk. Stroller parking inside the front door.
Parent Logistics
The museum is one floor and stroller-accessible, but most people park strollers at the entrance. It's easier to let toddlers walk — the space is designed for them to roam. Elevator access available.
Restrooms on the main floor; kid-friendly fixtures based on local observation.
Changing tables available in the restrooms.
Indoor venue — not applicable.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food service inside the museum. Vending machines only.
Snack strategy: Pack snacks. There's a small seating area inside. For a meal, walk to the Riverfront — Iron Hill Brewery, Timothy's, and several other restaurants are within a 5-minute walk.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Arrive right at opening (10 AM) on weekdays for the quietest experience.
- ✓ CAPs Night (third Wednesday most months, 5–8 PM, $2 admission) is the best-value family evening DCM offers.
- ✓ Bring a change of clothes for the water area. Trust us on this one.
- ✓ Combine with a Riverwalk stroll afterward — the Riverwalk is flat, paved, and stroller-friendly.
- ✓ The museum runs drop-in programs (story time, art projects) — check the calendar for the schedule.
- ✓ If you're deciding between DCM and Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, DCM wins on convenience and cost. PTM wins on scale and programming. For a quick local outing, DCM is the right call.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are best — small groups, no waiting. Saturday mornings get crowded by 10:30 AM. Sunday mornings are a good middle ground.
Seasonal Notes
Open Wed–Sun 10 AM–5 PM; closed Mon/Tue. Open select holiday Mondays 10 AM–3 PM. Year-round indoor venue — at its most valuable in winter and on rainy days. Summer weekdays can be quiet (everyone's outside). Check for special programming around school breaks.
Rainy Day?
This IS the rainy-day plan. The whole point of DCM is indoor play. Pair it with lunch on the Riverfront for a 3-hour outing.
While You're in the Area
The Wilmington Riverfront has plenty to pair with: the Riverwalk path, Constitution Yards (seasonal beer garden), Frawley Stadium (Blue Rocks games), and Launch Trampoline Park (for older kids). Iron Hill Brewery is a solid family lunch option.