An infant watches a ceiling fan spin. A toddler rolls a ball down a slide. A kindergartner asks how planes stay up in the sky.
As our children become aware of the world, they look to us to help them make sense of it all. If you’re anything like us, the day-to-day tasks of childcare can get in the way of explaining electricity, motors, gravity, thrust, and lift. That’s one of the reasons why children’s museums are such a valuable resource.
Children’s museums focus on helping little ones learn in a hands-on environment. Little minds are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, and find answers. As we read up on the amazing exhibits on display at the museums on this list, we started to wonder why more “adult” museums don’t adopt this model of learning and exploration. But as long as you have a little one around, you too can explore children’s museums, play with circuits, learn about famous scientists, and explore your artistic talents.
We asked BabyQuip Quality Providers to help us put together a must-visit list of children’s museums. In no specific order, here are our 12 must-visit children’s museums in the United States.
1. Scott Family Amazeum: Bentonville, Arkansas
Since 2015, the Amazeum has been wowing visitors with 50,000 square feet of exhibit and learning space. Everything at this museum is hands-on and designed to be touched, climbed on, and interacted with. There are pretend play opportunities at the Homestead Cabin and Farm exhibit where kiddos can cook over the hearth, weave on a child-sized loom, and gather eggs from the chicken coop.
Kids can get creative at the Nickelodeon Play Lab. They can film a stop motion animation and create unique musical compositions with analog and automated instruments. Elementary-aged kids and their adults can explore materials, investigate technologies, and create in the 3M Tinkering Hub.
For the two and under crowd: The Emerging Explorers exhibit is designed for little ones under two. Ramps, slides, and tunnels invite babies and toddlers to explore movement while other activities encourage exploration of light, sound, color, shape, and texture.
Tip: Most Wednesdays are Priceless Nights at Amazeum—from 4 to 7:30 p.m. admission is pay-as-you-will.
2. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The guiding philosophy of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is that kiddos should “play with real stuff”. This design philosophy promotes an organizational commitment to the use of authentic materials and processes in its exhibits and overall design. The TapeScape exhibit embodies this philosophy.
An art-installation-meets-playspace, TapeScape is built out of a steel frame covered with 50 miles of packing tape. Kiddos will love climbing, crawling, and sliding through the opaque terrain. A small-scale version, TotScape, is available for the littlest visitors.
Older visitors to the museum will love the Fred Rogers memorabilia, including his iconic sweater and sneakers. Seasonally, the Garden exhibit introduces kids to composting, pollinators, and growing food. And if all that’s not enough, the Waterplay exhibit is always a hit. With nearly 20 components, including shaved ice tables and a magnetic water wall, the kids can’t get enough!
For the two and under crowd: The Nursery room is designed for infants and toddlers. A light wall, bubble-blowing seesaw, and colored sand table will delight and engage the littlest museum visitors.
Tip: When weather permits, be sure to check out nearby Buhl Community Park. The park features Cloud Arbor, a piece of public art by Ned Kahn, which emits a cloud of mist.
3. Thinkery: Austin, Texas
At Thinkery, children have the opportunity to explore whys and hows. If your favorite mini loves water tables, then you’ll have a hard time pulling them away from the Currents exhibit. And for some physics learning—perfect for those ball-loving kiddos—Ready, Set, Roll introduces children to velocity, gravity, acceleration, and friction. For visitors with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other special needs, Thinkery offers Sensory Friendly Hours.
For the two and under crowd: Bloom—a shoe-free, garden-themed space is a great spot for littles three and under.
Tip: The first Tuesday of the month is No Tour Tuesday. This is generally the quietest time to visit Thinkery.
4. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Indianapolis, Indiana
This place is huge—as in 472,900 square feet of buildings on a 29-acre lot huge! In fact, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world! A museum of this size can be overwhelming for families with babies and toddlers, but not with this useful Itinerary for Toddlers.
To see all of the museum’s itineraries, check out their Visit Tips and Itineraries page and scroll to the bottom. Museum highlights include an indoor carousel and the ScienceWorks exhibit.
For the two and under crowd: The Playscape exhibit invites tiny tots to climb through a nature-inspired activity set. They can also explore an underwater pond habitat and play authentic musical instruments.
Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time online and skip the ticketing line!
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5. Kids Discovery Museum: Seattle, Washington
Located on Bainbridge Island, just across Puget Sound from Seattle, Kids Discovery Museum (which is adorably called KiDiMu) is a great excuse to ride the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge. The museum is within walking distance of the ferry terminal and the perfect day trip for families visiting Seattle with little ones.
KiDiMu is small in size as far as museums go. But that isn’t a bad thing as it’s less stressful to see everything. The Our Town exhibit invites kids to play grown-up. They can manage money at the Dollar & Sense Financial Center, commute in a real electric car, and shop for healthy food at the grocery store. For kiddos on the Autism Spectrum, KiDiMu offers monthly Sensory Sunday events.
For the two and under crowd: The recently redesigned Totally TOT exhibit features natural materials and manipulatives in a Waldorf-inspired space.
Tip: Admission is free on the first Thursday of the month.
6. Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Brooklyn, New York
Founded in 1899, Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the world’s first and oldest children’s museum. Over the past 120 years, the museum has collected an impressive 30,000 natural history and cultural objects. A rotating selection of these items is on display in the Collections Central exhibit where kids can observe changes caused by evolution and learn about the lives of past civilizations.
In the ColorLab, kiddos can flex their creative muscles during hands-on programs. Programs feature the work and material inspirations of African American, Afro-Caribbean, and African contemporary artists.
For the two and under crowd: For the littlest visitors, the Totally Tots exhibit features sensory play areas including water, sand, and music.
Tip: On Thursdays from 2–6 p.m. and Sundays from 4–7 p.m. museum admission is “pay-as-you-wish.”
7. The Bay Area Discovery Museum: San Francisco, California
This kid-friendly gem is just across from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) sits on 7.5 acres of National Park land in Sausalito, California. Offering more than six daily drop-in programs for children 6 months to 10 years of age, there’s always something happening.
All the exhibits at BADM are designed to be STEM-focused. Inquiry-driven experiences help children develop creativity and creative problem-solving skills. And parking is free!
For the two and under crowd: For infants and toddlers, Tot Spot offers a safe and stimulating environment to explore outdoor tunnels, a multi-level rock stream bed, baby-size mountains, and waterfalls.
Tip: Admission is free on the first Wednesday of the month.
8. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus: Denver, Colorado
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is organized into four themes—explore, imagine, investigate, and create. In the Big Backyard exhibit, kiddos can dress up as their favorite animal, climb through an anthill, and forage for acorns because what kid doesn’t love all of those things?! Future firefighters will be thrilled by the Fire Station No. 1 exhibit where they can dress up, slide down a fire pole, and drive the fire engine.
Bring a towel and change of clothes if you plan to visit the Water exhibit. In the baby-friendly Art Studio exhibit your little one can paint an old car and sculpt with clay. Parking is free for museum guests.
For the two and under crowd: The Center for the Young Child exhibit is an adventure for littles 0 to 3 years old. Babies can check out the tummy-time-friendly pond while toddlers crawl through tree roots.
Tip: Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month from 4 – 8 p.m.
9. Miami Children’s Museum: Miami, Florida
Miami Children’s Museum makes its home in a 56,500-square-foot building designed to represent the elements of earth, wind, water, and fire. All the exhibits are designed to complement the curriculum at local public schools.
Little ones can operate a crane or bulldozer at the Construction Zone exhibit. In the Music Makers Studio exhibit, explore different instruments and make music. Be sure to set aside some time to play in the whimsical Castle of Dreams which is a two-story sandcastle.
Get artistic with the medium-of-the-month at the Art Studio. Relax for a minute or two at the Ocean Odyssey exhibit as you gaze at three different underwater environments on display in a 900-gallon tank. Other things to know—parking costs $1/hour and the second Saturday of the Month is Sensory-Friendly Saturday.
For the two and under crowd: Visit the children’s museum on Mondays when there are no school groups visiting. Babies and toddlers can explore the museum and participate in play-based activities designed for littles.
Tip: Pack a lunch and plenty of snacks. The only food option on site is a Subway restaurant which gets really busy during peak hours.
10. The New Children’s Museum: San Diego, California
All of the exhibits at The New Children’s Museum are full-scale art installations. Your little ones will engage with contemporary art as they play and learn.
Climb, slide, and bounce through the three-dimensional textile sculpture Whammock! Jump on the bed in No Rules…Except where 40+ mattresses and 160+ pillow tires are waiting for visitors to build forts. Play in the sand, light, and sounds of an 11′ x 14′ sandbox.
For the two and under crowd: Babies and toddlers will love climbing on and around the oversized soft food sculptures in Wobbleland. Stack giant tomato slices, crawl through a cheese wedge and rock on the avocado teeter-totter.
Tip: Save 10–15% off your meal at one of these participating kid-friendly restaurants with proof of museum admission.
11. Portland Children’s Museum: Portland, Oregon
If you can, we recommend visiting the Portland Children’s Museum when the weather is nice so you can comfortably explore the 1.3-acre Outdoor Adventure exhibit. Indoors, check out the Vroom Room where little train fanatics will be delighted. Grab a smock in the Water Works exhibit and make music with a water cannon.
Take on a new challenge as you walk the Twilight Trail. The Groundwork exhibit offers a less-messy version of a sandbox. Here little builders can shovel and haul loads of rubber mulch. For a little rest, check out Storytime— offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For the two and under crowd: Sprout Spot is just for babies and toddlers from birth to 3 years old. Your little one will flex their problem-solving muscles in a sensory-rich play space.
Tip: Every Second Sunday of the month, admission to this children’s museum is just $4 per person between 9 a.m. and noon.
12. Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center: Honolulu, Hawaii
In the Rainforest Adventures exhibit, your little one will learn about rainforest ecosystems and get to play in the water. Spend some time learning about what makes Hawaii unique and playing with giant bubbles in the Hawaiian Rainbows exhibit.
In the Your Town exhibit, your little one can role play. Pretend to be a mechanic and crawl underneath a car. Go grocery shopping and check out your own groceries.
For the two and under crowd: Rainforest Adventures houses a Little Explorers play area for littles under 3 years old.
Tip: Picnic at the nearby Kaka’ako Waterfront Park where you watch people surfing and fishing.
Kathy is a freelance writer, an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip and the mother of a very active one-year-old boy. When she’s not changing diapers, developing engaging content for clients, or helping families travel with little ones, she enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and naps.
Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job on this post.
I’ve never been to a chidlren’s museum that I didn’t like.
My kids have been to three of these musuems. I bet they are all great, but the one in Miami is amazing!
The Zimmerman Children’s museum in Los Angeles is awesome!
I had no idea about the one near Seattle. Definitely going to check that out! These all look so fun!
We’ve had a great time at the Phoenix Childrens museum. Lots of activities for children of different ages, and many places for parents to engage too :)
I loved going to children’s museums as a kid. Looking forward to enjoying some on this list with my son. Thanks!!
Don’t forget a bathing for the littles when visiting the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. The water room is loved by all and NOT to be missed!
Children’s museums are a great option when the weather isn’t so great on vacation. I highly recommend the San Antonio and New Braunfels, Tx children’s museums too!
Thinkery in Austin is great! There’s also a playground next to it and an ice cream shop to make a full day of it. (And currently there is a whole lot full of construction vehicles working, which might be one of my son’s favorite parts!)
Thanks for including the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in this lineup!