Transit Tots

Join New York Transit Museum educators for transit-themed songs, stories and activities for the youngest transportation fans. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Tuesday, March 16th, 2021

Who do you like to visit, and how do you get there? Join us for today’s Transit Tots to sing a song and read a story about all of the different ways we can travel!

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021

Have you ever looked around at the faces of people riding the subway? In today’s Transit Tots, look at an MTA Arts & Design poster by artist Sophie Blackall to explore the various emotions people might experience. Then, read a story about an elephant who has many different feelings during a visit to Coney Island!

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021

Do you know what the word gratitude means? In today’s Transit Tots, sing a song and hear one of our favorite bus-themed stories. Then, we’ll meet Qeston, a New York City bus operator, and express our gratitude–or thanks–to him for working hard to get New Yorkers where they need to go.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2021

Have you ever wondered why roads and sidewalks are salted during a snowstorm? In today’s Transit Tots, we’ll explore the science behind salt’s effect on freezing water and then use what we learn to make delicious ice cream at home!

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

Did you catch last week’s Transit Tots, where we talked about how subway signals work? Today, we’ll review what each color on a subway signal means. Then, we’ll learn a song and play a dancing game, where we’ll follow signals that tell us to stop, go or slow down!

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021

Have you ever wondered how a subway train knows when to stop and when to go? Learn all about subway signals and the messages they send in today’s Transit Tots, and then make your own subway signal at home using cardboard, paper and markers.

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021

Can you name any famous skyscrapers? New York City is home to many of these very tall buildings. In today’s Transit Tots, look at how one artist includes skyscrapers in her work, and then make your own skyscraper out of materials you can find at home.

Tuesday, January 19th, 2021

How many ways do we use numbers when we think about transit? In today’s Transit Tots, practice counting everything from subway cars to pizzas with a New York-themed picture book, and then apply that number know-how to some transit-related counting challenges!

Tuesday, January 12th, 2021

How do trains and buses keep traveling safely through snowy weather? In today’s Transit Tots, learn about the special machines the MTA uses to clear tracks of ice and snow so we can keep moving around the city all winter long. Then, make your own snow-covered city and explore various methods of snow removal using items you can find around the house.

Tuesday, January 5th, 2021

Do you know the story of the secret subway, the very first subway train in New York City? In today’s Transit Tots, discover how this train moved using something called pneumatic power. Then, conduct a science experiment to explore pneumatic power at home and learn a new song all about the secret subway.

Thursday, December 31st, 2020

What does archaeology have to do with public transit? In today’s Transit Tots, hear about some amazing discoveries made by the workers who dug New York City’s subway tunnels. Then, learn how to make your own archaeological site out of flour and oil, and fill it with artifacts to dig up at home!

Tuesday, December 29th, 2020

Which signs in the subway can help us get where we’re going? In today’s Transit Tots, we’ll learn some tips for finding our way around the city, and then make our own transportation boards that show our favorite stops and routes using items we can find at home.

Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Did you catch Tuesday’s Transit Tots that was all about friction? Today, we’ll discover how friction can also make sound, and then we’ll sing and play along with an original song about this amazing force that helps power all types of transportation.

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020

Why do some forms of transit make for smoother rides than others? In today’s Transit Tots, we’ll learn all about a force called friction and then make our own hovercrafts out of household objects.

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

Who decides what a city looks like? Today in Transit Tots, we’ll learn about two historical figures who had different ideas about what kinds of transportation were most important for New York City, and what kinds of spaces to provide for New Yorkers. Then we’ll plan and build our own cities using things we can find around the house.

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020

Have you been to the Chambers Street/Park Place subway station in Lower Manhattan? If so, then you may have noticed the artwork we’ll explore in today’s Transit Tots. Once we’ve taken a good look at some eyes made out of tiles, we’ll make our own mosaic eyes using scissors, colorful paper and glue.

Thursday, December 10th, 2020

Have you ever been to a sporting event in New York City? How did you get there? In today’s Transit Tots, our friend Pizza the Pug is back to show us the many ways we can take public transportation to catch a game in NYC!

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Have you ever taken a ride on a ferry boat? Join us in today’s Transit Tots to discover the history of ferries in New York City, and then make your own ferry that will actually float!

Thursday, December 3rd, 2020

Have you ever felt like you were lost? In today’s Transit Tots, we’ll read a story about a bird who gets lost in the subway and also talk to two friends who love that they get to help people in their roles with the MTA.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2020

What does it mean when we say that something is accessible? In today’s Transit Tots, we’ll talk about how important it is to make sure that our public transportation can be used by as many people as possible. Learn about how bumps and lines on the floor can help people find their way around subway stations, and then make your own tactile floor using objects you have at home.