Solutions for Educators

Access educational programs that use toys and storytelling to inspire creativity and meaningful learning.

Classroom story time with teacher and children.

Bringing Toys Into Teaching

The Toy Museum of NY partners with educators to bring play-based learning, storytelling, and toy-inspired experiences into classrooms. Our programs encourage creativity, curiosity, and meaningful connections that make learning engaging for students of all ages.

Educator Program Request Form

Workshops

Cartoon kids promoting toy inventors event

Little Toy Inventor Engineers

The Little “Toy Inventor” Engineers Workshop includes pre-visit downloadable challenges and materials, plus all the supplies each student needs to create a crafty toy project to take home.

  • 50-minute live in-class presentation
  • Up to 30 students per class

Workshop Includes

  • Pre-visit downloadable challenge and materials
  • 50-minute live, in-class presentation
  • Craft project for every student to create and take home
  • Up to 30 students per class
  • Minimum booking of 3 classes
  • $350 per class, including all supplies
  • Virtual Zoom sessions available worldwide

What Students Learn

Prototype
Explore prototypes, the invention process, and STEAM concepts aligned with National Core Standards.

Packaging
Design custom toy packaging and learn how packaging plays a role in product development.

Product
Create a unique toy invention using materials provided for each student.

Pricing
Learn how toys are priced while working individually or in teams to complete the project.

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People in bear hats at improv workshop.

Acting & Improv Workshop

Short for improvisation, this all-ages workshop uses guided icebreakers and acting games to build creativity, collaboration, confidence, and public speaking skills, giving every student the opportunity to express their unique voice.

  • 45 to 60 minutes
  • Up to 30 students

Short for improvisation, this interactive workshop is a fun and engaging experience designed for students of all ages. Through guided icebreakers, acting exercises, and creative games, students learn to think on their feet, express their ideas, and work together in a supportive environment.

The workshop encourages creativity, collaboration, confidence, and public speaking skills while giving every student an opportunity to participate. More outgoing students learn to channel their energy through teamwork, while quieter students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone, build confidence, and discover their own unique voice.

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Two women holding puppets at workshop.

Puppet Workshop

This interactive, all-ages puppet workshop teaches kindness, conflict resolution, and anti-bullying through an engaging puppet show. Students learn how their words and actions affect others, then create their own “Kindness and Adopt-A-Pet Puppet” to take home, with all supplies included.
  • 45 to 60 minutes
  • Up to 30 students
Our Puppet Workshop is an interactive anti-bullying program designed for students of all ages. Through an engaging puppet show, students explore kindness, empathy, conflict resolution, and how their words and actions can affect others.

Students learn to recognize patterns of conflict, consider different perspectives, and practice positive ways to communicate and respond. After the show, each student creates their own “Kindness and Adopt-A-Pet Puppet” to take home, reinforcing the workshop’s message through a fun, hands-on activity.

All craft supplies are included, making this an engaging experience that combines creativity, learning, and meaningful lessons about kindness.

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Vintage toys promoting distance learning, video conferencing.

Zoom Virtual Programs

Students will explore toys from the past, discovering the materials, craftsmanship, and stories that made them special. The program highlights wooden toys, vintage dolls, metal toys, popular classics, and unique inventions, followed by a then-and-now comparison and Q&A session.

  • 45 to 60 minutes

ake your students on an engaging virtual tour of the Toy Museum’s collection and discover how toys, materials, and play have evolved through the decades. During this 45-minute to 1-hour interactive experience, students will explore toys from the past and learn what made them unique to their time.

The tour introduces students to wooden toys, vintage dolls, metal toys, popular classics, and innovative toy inventions while exploring the materials, craftsmanship, and creativity behind them. Students will also compare toys from the past with the toys they know today, encouraging them to recognize how design, technology, and play have changed over time.

The experience concludes with an interactive Q&A session, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, share observations, and learn even more about the fascinating history of toys.

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Royal-themed setup with playful decorations

Queen Marlene

Bring the magic of storytelling, imagination, and play to your next gathering with a special appearance by Queen Marlene. Each appearance creates a fun and memorable experience that inspires creativity, builds confidence, and encourages a lifelong love of learning through play.

Bring the magic of storytelling, imagination, and play to your next gathering with a special appearance by Queen Marlene. Through engaging stories, interactive activities, and playful learning, Queen Marlene creates a memorable experience that captures attention and encourages everyone to participate.

Each appearance is designed to spark creativity, build confidence, encourage self-expression, and inspire a love of learning through play, creating meaningful memories that continue long after the experience ends.

Available for:

  • School visits

  • Library programs

  • Community events

  • Toy-themed presentations

  • Interactive show-and-tell experiences

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Core Standards

Free Downloads for Parents and Teachers

My Belongings. Collection Collage (jpg)

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My Belongings Printable Material (pdf)

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