Creative Explorers

Explore History, Science, and Art with All 5 Senses!

Creative Explorers is a program at the Cayuga Museum that invites children to explore history, science, and art with all of their senses. Create your own artwork for display in the Children’s Gallery, make your own discoveries and experiments at the Science Cart in the Case Research Lab, and on the final Saturday of each month explore the Cayuga Museum with your family on themed scavenger hunts! How will you explore your own creativity?

Booking Quiet Hours

If you have a child who needs a quiet space or has unique sensory needs we offer an early morning booking. From 10am-11am you can reserve the museum for your family during operating hours. Admission will not be charged. Please contact the museum by phone or email to book your quiet hour.

Cayuga Museum Main Building

Children's Gallery

The Children's Gallery is an area where children can create their own artwork, whether that be a drawing or a 3-D creation and display it.

In the Children's Gallery, become an artist and make your own artwork to display! Located on the Cayuga Museum's second floor, the gallery has easily accessible frames for paper artwork to be displayed and label cards to share your artist information. This space comes fully stocked with an art table and chairs, art supplies, and a shelf with children’s books related to art and history. The Children's Gallery also has plenty of other fun stuff to play with if you'd rather not make your own artwork. Your creativity is whatever you imagine!
Case Research Laboratory

Science Cart

Perform your own experiments in the Laboratory where sound film was invented!

In the Case Research Lab, explore the science of light and sound through the Science Cart. Read your fill of science books and put on your lab coat as you solve scientific puzzles with microscopes, prisms, and a variety of science related materials. Be sure to check out the Kid’s Corner of the lab for more fun science activities while your family takes a tour of the historic laboratory.
Cayuga Museum Main Building

Family Free Day

Each Saturday, the museum is open for free to families with children 12 and under!

On each Saturday, the Cayuga Museum will open for free to families with children from 10 AM - 4 PM. On the last Saturday of the month, be sure to ask about the month's themed scavenger hunt and win a special prize when you complete the hunt!

Upcoming Programs

Saturday, April 26

Creative Explorers Family Free Day
Springtime Seed Bombs
10 AM – 5 PM

Join the Cayuga Museum for our Family Free Day! Children will explore the museum through a scavenger hunt to earn a prize and then they can welcome the spring by making their own wildflower seed bombs.

Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11

C.A.S.E. Summer Camp
For Ages 12 – 14 | $100 per camper (Scholarships Available)
9 AM – 3 PM Each Day

Join us for a week of learning, creation, experimentation, and games!

The C.A.S.E. (Culture, Art, Science, and Environment) Camp at the Cayuga Museum of History & Art is a new youth camp designed to connect campers ages 12-14 with their community through the historical, natural, and cultural significance of the City of Auburn. Each day of camp will feature a different theme to explore with a partnering organization. The schedule for each day will start with an educational session and themed activity with a break for snacks. A lunch break will be included, followed by a second activity and game period before campers are ready to leave for the day.

Campers must be signed up by Friday, June 27 to attend.

Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25

Hands-On History Camp
For Ages 8 – 10 | $100 per camper (Scholarships Available)
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Each Day
The Cayuga Museum of History and Art, Seward House Museum , Seymour Library, and the National Park Service is proud to present Hands On History Camp 2025! Youth ages 8-10 who love the past are welcome to register for this summer day camp, July 21-25, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM. Daily activities will include stop-motion film, archaeology, a full Victorian tea party, lego construction, friendship bracelets, and so much more!
Registration is $100/camper, and full scholarships are available upon request.

Thank you to our Creative Explorers program sponsors!