Kids Free Days at GCV&M
All kids 12 & under will receive free admission to the Museum on the following days in 2026:
Juneteenth | Thursday, June 19: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Independence Day | Saturday, July 4: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Freedom Day | Sunday, July 5: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer | Thursday August 6, 13, 20, and 27: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indigenous People’s Day | Monday October 12: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Kids Free Highlights
We’ll offer a wide array of activities in the Historic Village for kids to enjoy, including historic games on the Village Square, ice cream making, treats in the D.B. Munger & Co. Confectionery, and more!
Juneteenth | Friday, June 19
Learn about why Juneteenth is a federal holiday and celebrate freedom and a day off of school.
Independence Day | Saturday, July 4
From parades to pie-eating contests, there’s so much to learn, celebrate, and enjoy!
Freedom Day | Sunday, July 5
It is true that freedom isn’t free! Take a deeper dive into stories of freedom and the roots of American democracy
Kids Free on Indigenous People’s Day | Monday, October 12
Fall is the perfect time to explore the Historic Village, Nature Center, and John L. Wehle Gallery! Grab a hot cocoa, run the bases at Silver Ball Base Ball Park, and learn a little something along the way.
Kids Free in August
Each Thursday in August, kids 12 & under are FREE and additional kid-focused programming awaits.
- August 6
- Listen as Elizabeth Nally reads our favorite children’s books about animal friends! MacArthur
- Lemon Ice Cream (Making/Tasting)
- Join Tonia Lora-Galban today and throughout the season as she demonstrates making a black ash basket with traditional indigenous methods.
- August 13
- Listen in to children’s lumberjack stories, including one about a tender-hearted lumberjack who lets animals displaced by his tree cutting live in his beard!
- Peach Ice Water (Making/Tasting)
- Enjoy a 45 minute tour of the sky at night in summer at a Mobile Planetarium. Sign-up sheets will be at the John L. Wehle Gallery.
- August 20
- Stop in for story time with Elizabeth and her favorite children’s books about base ball!
- Marmalade Ice Cream (Making/Tasting)
- Watch demos by the Department of Environmental Conservation K-9 units. See the important jobs they do to protect our environment.
- August 27
- Local author Jonathan Graziano & his pug Milton
- Banana Ice (Making/Tasting)
Historic Village Highlights
Step into the past with engaging activities that invite visitors of all ages to see, touch, and try history for themselves.
Need to run off some energy? Head out to the Silver Ball Base Ball Park and see who can touch the outfield fence first!
John L. Wehle Gallery
Home to an extensive collection of 19th-century clothing and sporting and wildlife art, the John L. Wehle Gallery includes three rotating exhibits and several smaller displays. Exhibits include:
- An Extraordinary Attraction: 50 Years of History, Art, & Nature (NEW in 2026)
- Color Me Calico: A Taste for Prints and Parties
- Perceived Realities: Wildlife, Land, & Myth
Genesee Country Nature Center
The Genesee Country Nature Center is a fantastic place to explore the flora and fauna of the Genesee Valley Region. Take a hike on a nature trail (ranging from .5 – 1.3 miles), learn from a resident naturalist, meet animals up close and personal, and so much more.
Building closed Thursdays in August, but be sure to check out the Fairy Trail!
Food & Beverage
Stop into these locations for a bite to eat or something to drink!
- Depot Restaurant
- Grab a wrap or burger and a drink.
- D.M. Munger Confectionery
- Located on the Square in the Historic Village
- Stop in for Village-made cookies, candy, hand pies, and more!
- Pavilion Garden Restaurant
- Located in the Historic Village
- Ice cream, drinks, and more!
Shopping at the Flint Hill Store
Enjoy a premier shopping experience when you visit the Flint Hill Store, located adjacent to the admissions tunnel. From handcrafted goods made right here in the Historic Village, to treats and sweets, Museum apparel, local art, decor, and more, there’s something for everyone in the Flint Hill Store!
FAQs
Parking is free and plentiful! Park in any of the main lots at the front of the Museum. Please leave the first two bays available for handicapped parking.
Please have your ticket(s) either printed out OR pulled up on your phone screen and ready for scanning for quick and easy check-in. Pro-tip: take a screenshot of each of your tickets to have ready and pulled up on your phone screen! Please note: Wifi can sometimes be spotty at the front of the Museum.
Yes! This event is rain or shine. The Museum will only cancel in case of a severe weather emergency.
Please dress accordingly for the predicted weather conditions.
We recommend wearing a good pair of walking shoes – there is a lot to see and do, and surfaces in the Historic Village (brick paths, cobblestone, grass), can be uneven.
Yes! Leashed service animals are welcome with proper identification.
We’re sorry to hear that you’re not able to attend! Tickets may be refunded only up to 7 days prior to the event date and are strictly non-transferable by date, entry time, or program.