Children's Museum Oro Valley
Rewild Your Child at Children's Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul!
Where Curiosity Meets Desert Discovery
Tohono Chul is proud to partner with Children’s Museum Oro Valley, a place for kids and families to explore, imagine, and connect with nature through fun, hands-on experiences.
Indoor and outdoor exhibits, daily activities, and educational programming invite young minds to discover the plants, animals, and cultures of the Sonoran Desert while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Visitors can enjoy both Tohono Chul and the Children’s Museum with one admission, making it easy to experience even more during your day in the gardens. Make every visit easier with a Tohono Chul family membership, including free admission year-round, special member discounts, exclusive benefits, and unlimited opportunities to explore, play, and discover together.
- Hours: Open Tuesday–Sunday | 9 AM–12:30 PM
“Tohono Chul has a huge role in closing the nature-deficit gap by letting kids be wild explorers of our gardens. I am thrilled that CMOV’s incredible programs and educators accelerate our goal to pro-actively welcome families here to experience the wonder of the Sonoran Desert. We can hardly wait to see the next generation of nature-lovers grow up at Tohono Chul!”
Happening Now
Wee Storytime
Tuesday – Sunday | 9:30 AM
Join us at the Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul for WEE STORYTIME, Tuesday-Sunday at 9:30 AM! Enjoy engaging stories with our Nature Niños educators, followed by a fun activity at 10 AM.
Special thanks to our sponsors, the Kai Family Foundation and First Things First, for their generous support.
Clay Play
Sundays & Tuesdays | 11 AM – 12 PM
Unleash your child’s creativity at the Children’s Museum Oro Valley with Clay Play!
Every Tuesday and Sunday from 11 AM to 12 PM, little ones can explore the joys of hands-on sculpting and crafting with clay. This interactive activity encourages imagination and creativity, perfect for curious minds and tiny hands.
Explorer Backpacks – Discover & Learn!
Available for Checkout at the Admissions Window | Free with Admission
Experience the natural wonders of the Sonoran Desert up close with our brand-new Explorer Backpacks! Equipped with binoculars, a magnifying glass, a compass, and other adventurous tools, these backpacks offer a hands-on experience of our beautiful gardens and all their hidden treasures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Know Before You Go
Planning a visit? Find answers to common questions and helpful information to make the most of your time at Children’s Museum Oro Valley.
Where in Tohono Chul is Children's Museum Oro Valley located?
Children’s Museum Oro Valley is located on the southeast side of Tohono Chul, near the Education Center. From Admissions, it’s approximately 0.2 miles or a 10-minute walk along a paved path through the gardens.
Can visitors experience the exhibits after the museum closes?
No, the doors will be locked, but visitors can enjoy the outdoor exhibits and installations in the surrounding areas during operating hours.
Can I drop off my child while I enjoy the gardens?
No, children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note, adults must also be accompanied by a child.
If someone just wants to “see the space” and has no child, can they?
To help maintain a safe, family-focused environment, children must be accompanied by an adult, and adults visiting the museum must be accompanied by a child. If you’d like to see the space without a child, please contact us in advance—we may be able to arrange a tour with a docent or staff member.
For any guests who require accessibility considerations, please call ahead and we will accommodate your arrival through our Education Center parking lot. Please call 520-297-8004 for accommodations.
Admission & Membership
Is there a separate entry fee to visit the Children's Museum?
Your admission or membership to Tohono Chul includes access to Children’s Museum Oro Valley, including its exhibits and regular programming. No additional entry fee is required.
Are Children’s Museum Tucson memberships accepted?
Children’s Museum Tucson memberships for the Downtown location are not accepted at Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul. Membership benefits at this location are available exclusively to Tohono Chul members, including free admission year-round and other member benefits. Click here to become a member!
Is a Tohono Chul membership good at the Downtown Children’s Museum?
No. Tohono Chul membership benefits apply to Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul and are not valid at Children’s Museum Tucson’s Downtown location. Admission to the Downtown museum requires separate admission or a Children’s Museum Tucson membership. Click here to learn more about Children’s Museum Tucson’s Downtown location!
Do Children's Museum Tucson members get a member discount in the shops and greenhouse?
Children’s Museum Tucson memberships do not include Tohono Chul member discounts or benefits. To receive discounts in the shops and Desert Corner Nursery, as well as benefits like participation in the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program, you must be a Tohono Chul member. Click here to learn more about Tohono Chul memberships.
Guest Services
Find information about food and snacks, restrooms, accessibility, strollers, and other amenities available during your time at the Children’s Museum.
Are restrooms and drinking fountains available?
Restrooms and drinking fountains are available near the Children’s Museum at the Children’s Ramada and Education Center.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes! Families are welcome to bring snacks or a picnic. Picnic tables are available near the Children’s Museum for your convenience.
Are food and drinks available for purchase?
Yes! Snacks and drinks are available throughout your visit. A vending machine is located at the Education Center, and a refrigerator inside the Children’s Museum is stocked with snacks and water available for purchase. Families can also stop by the Garden Bistro for breakfast, lunch, and drinks.
Are strollers available to rent?
Strollers are not available, so we encourage families to bring their own stroller or wagon. The Children’s Museum is about a 10-minute walk from Admissions along a paved path. If needed, we may be able to provide a wagon for your visit.
Can you accommodate guests with accessibility needs?
Guests who need accessibility accommodations may arrange to arrive through our Education Center parking lot. Please call 520-297-8004 in advance so our team can assist with your visit.
Membership Makes Family Adventures Even Better
Enjoy free admission year-round and family-friendly benefits that make it easier to come back, explore, and experience more of Tohono Chul together.
- Family membership includes two adults in the same household, plus children and grandchildren under 17
- Complimentary one-time-use guest passes
- Free admission to Bloom Night, our annual celebration of the spectacular one-night bloom of the Queen of the Night cactus
- Discounts at Tohono Chul shops, Desert Corner Nursery, plant sales, and the Garden Bistro
- Discounts on classes, trips, and special events
- Invitations to exclusive member events and programs
- Reciprocal admission benefits at participating American Horticultural Society gardens nationwide
