Our top priority is to always keep you and your family ready to explore with us. Though we are always sharing the latest amazing, mind-blowing events and exhibits at the Museum, your health and safety is our number one priority.

You may have new questions arising due to COVID-19. We have used the following practices on a daily basis for years because we know minimizing colds and flu is important to the families we serve.

Our cleaning procedures

Every day for more than three decades, the Museum has had a full-time cleaning staff dedicated to actively cleaning exhibits, restrooms, galleries and all hands-on items and surfaces throughout the day, using a bleach and water solution recommended for schools. The team disinfects constantly before and during opening hours while deep cleaning takes place every night after we close.

In fact, parents and caretakers that visit Tot*Spot with their little ones are required to don surgical shoe covers in order to enter the exhibit space to ensure our floors stay clean for our youngest visitors.

Fresh air throughout

We circulate outside air more frequently then needed throughout the day in order to provide fresh, not just recycled, air throughout the Museum. HEPA filters are installed to trap particles such as pollen, dust mites and smoke from penetrating our building. Antimicrobial carpet is also installed in places where our young visitors are encouraged to play on the floor. We see these investments as essential to providing you with a healthy place to learn and play.

Germ reduction

You may notice that extra signage has been added throughout the Museum with suggestions on how to keep germs away and stop spreading them, too! Washing your hands is one of the key ways to help. Make sure to scrub with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. That's the same as singing "Baby Shark" 'til you get to Grandpa Shark. We also encourage you to use the hand sanitizers, available in all of the Museum's exhibits, between hand washings.

Museum staff is required to consistently wash their hands while on duty, and before and after their breaks. Free flu shots are also provided to all staff members at the beginning of each flu season. If any member of our team isn't feeling well, we require they stay at home until they are recovered.

When to stay home

We recommend what’s called “social distancing.” Try not to shake hands or fist bump right now. Keep a 6 foot distance from other families as you are able.  And stay home if you or a family member is sick.

The best time to visit us is when you feel your best. If you're not feeling 100%, we encourage you to visit us another day. Schools and other groups are required to provide signed confirmation that no student on a tour is ill.

Even before Spring Break, we were communicating with the City of Houston Health Department specifically about COVID-19, and we will continue monitoring information coming from the Centers for Disease Control and following direction from Mayor Turner and Judge Hidalgo.

Hope this cleared up some of your questions about our procedures! Please reach out if you have any other questions by emailing info@cmhouston.org.

See our Frequently Asked Questions

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Updated March 13, 2020