Dramatic Play01 · NJ Transport Exhibit
A partial bus and train car for role-play, plus interactive Central Jersey maps.
501(c)(3) nonprofit · Central New Jersey
Explore Today, Create Tomorrow.
The Children's Museum of Central Jersey is an emerging museum dedicated to children ages 0–10 and their families — we aim to build a welcoming space where kids learn by playing, and play makes connections about the world.
- 1M+
- People within 10 miles
- 182k
- Central NJ kids ages 2–10
- 50k+
- Teachers in the region
- 2028
- Target opening
Explore★Today★Create★Tomorrow★Play★Discover★
Why now, why here
The case for a children's museum in Central Jersey.
A decade-long gap
New Jersey has lacked a children's museum for over a decade. Central Jersey has no accredited museum designed for kids under 10.
A distinctive region
In 2023 Governor Murphy designated Central Jersey an official distinctive area of tourism — home to Rutgers, Princeton, and the state's two busiest highways.
A diverse community
One of the most diverse regions in the U.S., yet without an accessible, inclusive, developmentally-appropriate space for young children.
A moment for play
As screen time rises and hands-on exploration shrinks, families are asking for spaces that build creativity, connection, and resilience.
Exhibits & Programming
Nine worlds to touch, build, climb and get delightfully messy in.
Every exhibit is tailored to Central Jersey's history, culture, and environment — designed with kids, teachers, and families. Photos shown are inspirational examples from other children's museums.
Dramatic Play
Nature02 · Raritan River Water Play
Hands-on water play inspired by the river that shaped our region.
STEM03 · Light It Up
Energy, circuits, Edison, and the New Jersey inventors who lit up the world.
Movement04 · Lenape Trails
A climbing structure and maze rooted in the land's original stewards.
Toddler Zone05 · Garden State Buds
A dedicated, developmentally-tuned space for our youngest visitors.
Create06 · Recycled Art Lab
Making, mess, and material reuse — art that's kind to the planet.
Dramatic Play07 · Hospital
A pretend hospital for empathy-first role play.
Sensory08 · Mindful Exploration
A calm, sensory-friendly space with quiet zones and mindful play.
Outdoors09 · Outdoor Classroom
Natural climbing, musical sculptures, and a garden classroom under the sky.
Programming
Year-round programming for every family.
Toddler TimeRecycled ArtFamily CookingSTEM WorkshopsParent ConnectionsSensory-Friendly HoursField TripsBirthday Parties
Growth Roadmap
From pop-ups to a permanent home — in three phases.
1
In progress2025 – 2026
Community Building & Pop-Ups
- → Expand mobile programming and pop-up events
- → Strengthen partnerships with schools, libraries and community orgs
- → Grow community awareness and fundraising
2
Next up2027 – 2028
Capital Campaign & Exhibit Development
- → Identify a permanent museum location
- → Launch the capital fundraising campaign
- → Begin exhibit fabrication and operational planning
- → Grow memberships, sponsorships, and donor support
3
The goal2028 – 2029
Permanent Museum Launch
- → Open a permanent interactive children's museum
- → Year-round exhibits, events, camps and educational programming
- → A regional destination for families and schools across Central Jersey
Recent Events
Real smiles from our pop-ups around Central Jersey.
Music, art, sensory play, and community joy — take a look at our previous pop-up programming!
Meet the Co-Founders
Local parents building a museum for our kids and yours.
JW
Julia Win
Co-Founder & President
Concept artist with Strans Engineering, public artist and elementary educator.
JZ
Jen Zimmerman
Co-Founder & Vice President
Freelance PR consultant for fintech companies and venture capital firms.
JH
Jacqueline Ho
Co-Founder & Secretary
Founder and owner of The Thumbs Behind Marketing, a social media marketing company.
AD
Amanda Dobrowski
Co-Founder & Development Chair
10+ years in programmatic and development roles across museums, higher ed, and public education.
Meet the Board
A board that spans finance, fundraising, outreach and real estate.
KS
Kim Shankar
Board Member · Finance Team
Senior Manager at EisnerAmper LLP, specializing in public and private company audits with nearly 13 years of experience.
US
Ujwala Singh
Board Member · Finance Team
Corporate Finance professional with an MBA from the University of Virginia — Darden School of Business.
KM
Kate Manchisi
Board Member · Community Outreach
Community outreach and environmental education professional focused on social and environmental justice.
AS
Alicia Steinberg
Board Member · Development Team
Nonprofit fundraising and volunteer engagement leader with a decade of experience scaling mission-driven programs.
RB
Rachel Bousel
Board Member · Development Team
Nonprofit and corporate partnerships professional with deep experience in fundraising and experiential events.
DC
Damarys Cover
Board Member · Real Estate Professional
Strategic operations, real estate and community leadership across corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Mission
To provide an environment that enables children to play, explore, and create.
We seek to be a place that is accessible and inclusive for all, that operates with empathy and kindness, fosters the natural curiosity of children, and enables them to explore and discover in a safe environment.
Vision
A museum beloved by families, respected by partners, and trusted by donors.
We aim to build strong connections with our community and invite others to learn alongside us.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Everything families want to know about the museum, our timeline, and how to get involved.
We're an emerging museum, so we don't have a permanent home yet. Right now we bring pop-up programming to community spaces across Central New Jersey. Our goal is a permanent facility by 2028 — sign up for updates to follow our journey.
Children ages 0–10 and their families. Our exhibits and programs are designed for open-ended play that grows with kids — from tummy-time babies to curious 10-year-olds.
We're working toward a target opening in 2028. In the meantime, we host pop-up events and community programs so families can experience the museum along the way.
We're planning nine themed zones — NJ Transport, Raritan River Water Play, Light It Up, Lenape Trails, Garden State Buds, a Recycled Art Lab, Hospital dramatic play, a Mindful Exploration room, and an Outdoor Classroom. The photos on our Exhibits page are inspirational examples from other children's museums.
Not quite yet — once we open our permanent space, field trips, group visits, and birthday parties will be part of what we offer. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when bookings open.
There are lots of ways: donate through our secure PayPal link, attend our pop-up events, volunteer your time, or spread the word to other families. Every bit helps us open our doors.
Yes. The Children's Museum of Central Jersey is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We'd love to have you. Email us at hello@cmocj.org and tell us how you'd like to help — event volunteering, exhibit building, community outreach, or joining a committee.
Still have a question? Email us at hello@cmocj.org
Support the museum
Help us build a place where curiosity comes to play.
Every dollar brings us closer to opening the doors of the Children's Museum of Central Jersey. Your gift funds pop-up programs, exhibit prototypes, and the future home of learning through play for families across our region.
CMOCJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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Get in touch
Send us a message
Have a question, an idea, or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a note and we'll get back to you soon.
- hello@cmocj.org
- Central New Jersey
- www.cmocj.org