Once you’re a parent, you may long for the days of wine-infused exhibit openings at your local museum. Or wish you could leisurely stroll the galleries instead of zipping through with a scavenger hunt in hand, only to fight over the very expensive toys in the gift shop.
But since 1899— when the Brooklyn Children’s Museum opened as the first of its kind in the world—there’s been one cultural experience that isn’t just okay with visiting kids—it’s built for them. The rise of the children’s museum (which you’ll find in most sizable cities these days) acknowledges that childhood is an important phase of life, and one deserving of a cultural destination where little ones can learn through play and exploration.
While you may belong to your local children’s museum, the U.S. actually has some of the oldest, most incredible spaces for kids in the world. Read on for the 20 best children’s museums in the United States that you absolutely must see to believe. Trust us: Both you and your kids will love these impressive and unique spots!
1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Where: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN
The world’s largest children’s museum is, believe it or not, in the heart of Indianapolis. The massive museum is hardly the soft play structures or craft tables you might imagine. Visit the International Space Station, dig for dinosaur bones in the Dinosphere, rock climb in ScienceWorks and, as of 2018, you can break a sweat at seven-acres of outdoor, interactive sports-themed fun in the new Riley Children’s Health Sports Legend Experience. There is a kid-sized football field, golf course, baseball diamond and street hockey rink where you can imagine yourself playing with the pros! Oh, and did we mention this museum will be home to the first-ever Paw Patrol exhibit? Keep an eye out for all the details in 2019.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Riley Children’s Health Sports Legend Experience, Beyond Spaceship Earth, Dinosphere
2. Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
Where: 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA
This waterfront children’s museum is one of the oldest in the country, so they’ve had time to perfect each exhibit for maximum fun and learning. A multi-story climbing structure greets you when you enter, but that’s just the beginning. Let little ones “work” on the machinery at an interactive construction site, or immerse themselves in a new culture in a fully reconstructed traditional Japanese House sent straight from Kyoto (Boston’s sister city). Don’t leave without finding the familiar faces of Arthur, Buster and D.W. in their own exhibit, where you can appear on screen with Arthur, camp in the backyard and go on a cross-country flight together. The hands-on fun here is unlike any other kids’ museum. Read our full guide to the Boston Children’s Museum here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Japanese House, Construction Zone, Arthur & Friends
3. Children’s Museum of Houston, Houston, TX
Where: 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX
Regularly ranked as the best children’s museum in the country, Houston’s mecca for kiddos is chock full of interactive learning and imaginative play opportunities, not to mention a calendar full of daily activities. With the Texas heat, it’s no wonder the giant outdoor Flow Works water play exhibit is hugely popular (yes, you might want to bring a change of clothes). Older kids won’t want to skip the Cyberchase problem-solving mission or a chance to test their limits on the Challenge Course. Worried about bringing your babies along? The Tot Spot is a huge, cushy gallery just for them. Read our full guide the Children’s Museum of Houston here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: FlowWorks, Cyberchase, Kidtropolis
4. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver, CO
Where: 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver, CO
With an expansion in 2015, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus doubled their exhibit space, adding six new exhibits for hands-on learning including the ever-popular Joy Park and Teaching Kitchen. The Altitude exhibit takes kids on a multi-story adventure up a mountain gondola to a camping site and finally to 360-degree views of the city. Outside, Joy Park brings the best of Colorado to one kid-friendly space. Climb the rocks and watch out for the raging waters during the warmer months in the canyon. Build the largest sand castle, sail the skies on the zip line or roll down the hill. And by the end of 2018, there will be an all-new Adventure Forest: a 500-foot-long aerial adventure course full of bridges, webs, nests, lookouts, swings and slides. See our full guide to the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Joy Park, Altitude, My Market
5. Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Where: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
Beaux Arts-style Memorial Hall is arguably the grandest setting ever for a venue whose mission is to encourage kids to do exactly what grown-ups have been telling them not to do for centuries: touch everything. In room after room, children contentedly crash boats in the vast water play area, toss foam blocks around a play construction site, grab any grocery they want in the just-for-kids supermarkets. The magic of this spot lies in the freedom to launch rockets at the ceiling, play doctor (with dolls), get lost in an Alice in Wonderland maze and so, so much more. Helicopter parents need not apply. See our full guide to the Please Touch Museum here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Wonderland, Roadside Attractions, Rocket Room, Imagination Playground
6. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Where: 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA
Inside the 80,000-square-foot Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, you’ll find areas for little ones to play with water (bring a change of clothes—they’ll get wet!), dig in the dirt and create large-scale sculptures. Daniel Tiger fans will want to head straight to the permanent Fred Rogers and Us exhibit to see iconic puppets like Henrietta Pussycat and Lady Elaine Fairchilde, as well as Mr. Rogers’ sweater and sneaker collection. The Backyard outdoor play space includes a musical swing set, interactive clubhouse and plenty of opportunities to release their pent-up energy from the day.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Fred Rogers and Us, Waterplay, Makeshop, Attic
7. Madison Children’s Museum, Madison, WI
Where: 100 North Hamilton Street, Madison, WI
According to the museum’s website, “nobody does play better than the Madison Children’s Museum.” You’ll have to visit for yourself to see if it’s true! Go back in Wisconsin’s past when you visit the authentic 1838 Log Cabin, where kids can also churn butter, write with quill pens, harvest veggies and cook them on an open hearth. Or head to the tippy-top of the building to visit rooftop chickens, scale an acorn-shaped climber and get amazing views of Madison. The Urb Garden gives a kid-friendly spin to things like aquaponics and composting, and when they’re ready to head back inside, kids’ imaginations will run wild in the unbelievably colorful art studio.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Rooftop Ramble, Log Cabin, Art Studio
8. Minnesota Children’s Museum, Saint Paul, MN
Where: 10 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN
Where: Many of the exhibits you’ve likely visited at your local children’s museum had their foundation at MCM (think Thomas & Friends, Adventures with Clifford and Curious George). The Minnesota Children’s Museum has both the largest collection of traveling exhibits as well as wildly creative permanent ones that you can visit any time. Forces at Play is a visitor favorite, complete with the “Wackiest Car Wash Ever.” Let the kids put on a rain jacket in an attempt to stay dry as they hose down, scrub, pump bubble engines and make water graffiti on the exhibit’s “car” which is actually made of pieces from 13 different vehicles. And don’t skip the rooftop terrace for some fresh air, or Creativity Jam, where the littles can paint their own faces. ,
Can’t-miss exhibits: Forces at Play, Creativity Jam, Imaginopolis
9. The Strong Museum, Rochester, NY
Where: 1 Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester, NY
Also known as the National Museum of Play, this Rochester institution lets your child (or inner child) run loose. You can play giant Tetris or four-person Pac-Man in the eGameRevolution gallery, or stick to something more old school in America at Play, which is home to 300 years of toys, board games and play artifacts. In the Toy Halls of Fame, you can marvel at some of the greatest toy inventions of all time. Kids can get a bit more active in Field of Play, which has a kaleidoscope to walk through as well as a rock wall. In Imagination Destination, little ones can fly a helicopter, build a house, navigate a rocket ship playscape and even shrink down to the size of a bug and crawl through a honeycomb maze. We can’t skip a mention of icons like Sesame Street and Berenstain Bears, which kids can experience larger than life here as well.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?, The Berenstain Bears: Down a Sunny Dirt Road, eGame Revolution
10. Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Where: 215 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
When parents need to escape the desert heat of Arizona, they turn to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. The open-ended exhibits start before you even walk through the doors! The entire front yard is filled with an interactive and educational playground including colorful, snaking tubes to crawl through and a maze of cacti. Inside, you’ll find air conditioning, plus a forest of pool noodles, an imaginary café and a giant climber made from found materials (including the flying bathtub!). The tricycle car wash in Pedal Power is a kid-favorite. And no visit is complete until you create your own blanket fort in the Building Big exhibit.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Move it!, Pedal Power, Building Big
11. Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, MD
Where: 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD
The Port Discovery Children’s Museum, located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore is three levels of fun-filled rooms and exhibits where your kids can touch and climb on just about everything! Start at the amazing three-story urban treehouse, which is a great opportunity for kids to get their wiggles out. The pint-sized soccer stadium, Kick It Up!, is another favorite. If they haven’t had enough, cross the Nile river and explore the mummy’s tomb in Adventure Expeditions. Port Discovery plans to open a major expansion in 2019 including The Port—a three-story ship where kids can play like captains, sailors, engineers and navigators. We can’t wait to climb aboard. See our complete guide to Port Discovery here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Adventure Expeditions, Kick It Up!, Tiny’s Diner
12. Miami Children’s Museum, Miami, FL
Where: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL
If you’re going to take your little ones anywhere in Miami, without a doubt it must be to the Miami Children’s Museum. This 56,000-square-foot building houses more fun than you ever thought possible. Let your kids dictate the tunes at the brand new Music Makers Studio, where they can try out a host of instruments including a giant piano on the floor. Just been to the beach? Have your kids draw their own sea creatures to become a part of the digital Sketch Aquarium. Then, get lost in the Castle of Dreams or climb high at Mt. MiChiMu. New for 2018 is the specially designed Snoezelen Room within the South Florida & Me exhibit; you’ll find a relaxing space that reduces agitation and anxiety, but also engages and delights kiddos. They’ll love all the interactive, educational and inspirational exhibits here—and you’ll love the nap time that comes after a visit. Check out our complete guide to Miami Children’s Museum here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Music Makers Studio, All About Art, Castle of Dreams
13. Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Where: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY
New York City kids have high standards, so when it’s a favorite with locals, you know it’s good. At Brooklyn Children’s Museum (which also happens to be the first children’s museums in the world) you’ll find exhibits like the Color Cove Room where tots can draw directly on the walls, and a miniature Brooklyn complete with bodegas, bakeries and MTA buses. Can’t-miss photo op? Your little running through that neon rainbow tunnel. Read our complete guide to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: World Brooklyn, Totally Tots, Neighborhood Nature
14. Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena, CA
Where: 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA
Just a stone’s throw from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco, you’ll find this children’s museum, which is home to 40 indoor and outdoor exhibits. With the Cali weather being so ideal, it’s no wonder Kidspace has taken advantage of their 3.5 acres and filled it with favorite exhibits like the Physics Forest (think giant science projects that teach kids about levers and pulleys), gardens with playful water features and a toddler-sized playground. Inside, find challenging climbers, an imagination workshop and The Dig, where your kids can play paleontologist for a bit, uncovering fossils and going on adventures in the vintage utility vehicle. Read our complete guide to Kidspace here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: The Dig, Arroyo Adventure, Galvin Physics Forest
15. Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Where: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr, Atlanta, GA
Located right across the street from Centennial Olympic Park, every exhibit at this play-based destination is fair game for hands-on exploration. You’ll be greeted by the Tools for Solutions exhibit, where many kids could spend the day “driving” a forklift while secretly learning the essentials of simple machines (levers, pulleys, screws, inclined planes, wheels and axels). And if your little loves train tables, they’ll be blown away by the six gigantic ones that represent each continent in the Gateway to the World exhibit. See our full guide to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Gateway to the World, Tools for Solutions, Fundamentally Food
16. Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Jose, CA
Where: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA
With San Jose’s famously great weather, it’s no surprise that Bill’s Backyard is the runaway favorite at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Kids are especially excited about the Blue Oak outdoor treehouse (with suspension sky bridges), and the lookout tower and slide. There’s also a drought-tolerant garden full of herbs and plants your kids can grow at home (even better—they won’t die if you forget to water them!); a dry creek with rocks and water; a rain harvest system; and fort building using locally sourced reeds, grasses and willow branches. At the Jr. Ranger Station, children will learn how the surrounding Guadalupe River environment and wildlife live together in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Bill’s Backyard, WaterWays, Wonder Cabinet
17. The New Children’s Museum, San Diego, CA
Where: 200 West Island Ave, San Diego, CA
San Diego’s children’s museum is one part artistic play space and one part art studio(s). Kids love No Rules, where mattress line the floors and walls so they can run, crawl and bounce to their hearts’ content. Then there’s Wobbleland, the whimsical four-and-under space shaped like a giant kitchen sink where they can explore an avocado teeter-totter, play with slices of a giant tomato and crawl through a cheese wedge. There are eight different art studios you can drop into any time to create with clay and paint (paint all over the museum’s 1950s Dodge pick-up truck!), create seasonal art projects or get busy in the makerspace.
Can’t-miss exhibits: No Rules…Except, Reconnecting to Home, Wobbleland
18. Children’s Museum of Manhattan, New York, NY
Where: 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY
The Upper West Side’s CMOM is 38,000-square-feet of interactive exhibits and programming. Summer brings one of the hottest tickets in town at the Dynamic H2O water play area. Other favorites include Playworks, with its fire truck, sand play, a talking dragon who “eats” letters, a play structure for kids to climb and slide down, and a soft area for crawlers. (Free story time is often held in this area, along with daily hands-on activities in the Art Lab.). The museum is planning to move to a new (and bigger!) space along Central Park West in late 2021—we already can’t wait.
Can’t-miss exhibits: PlayWorks, Dynamic H2O, EatSleepPlay
19. DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville, IL
Where: 301 North Washington Street
Naperville, IL
After a flood in 2015, DuPage Children’s Museum returned to the Chicagoland area better than ever. Math, science and art exhibits—from building with real tools to splashing in water—make DuPage the ultimate indoor playground for little bodies and minds. Don’t skip Build It, where kids can build using real tools (don’t worry, there’s plenty of supervision). In the Art Is Instrumental gallery, try the PVC pipe organ or play percussion instruments in the petting zoo. There are three separate toddler play areas and a fabulous water table to top it all off. Read our full guide to the DuPage Children’s Museum here.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Build It, Art is Instrumental, AWEsome Energy
20. The DoSeum, San Antonio, TX
Where: 2800 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX
Just north of downtown San Antonio, you’ll find a child-centric museum packed with hands-on learning. Tots love to play in the pint-sized H-E-B, work the Whataburger food truck and pet kittens as a local vet in the Little Town exhibit. Older kids can go undercover in Spy Academy, where mathematical skills are put to the test as they explore a secret air duct and house full of hidden safes and dead drops (if they play it right, they might even uncover a laser maze behind a bookcase!). Big Outdoors is family favorite, thanks to the epic playground, butterfly garden and Will’s Stream, a little river designed for safe fun and cooling off during hot Texas summers.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Big Outdoors, Spy Academy
