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Family Attractions 101: 10 great children's museums to visit with your kids
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Playing dress up can provide hours of fun at an area children's museum.
Museums can be a bit boring for kids when the focus is on history or art and you can't touch any part of the exhibit and quiet voices are a must. However, there are plenty of museums in the area just for kids where they are encouraged to play in hands-on exhibits and nothing is off limits. Here are 10 great spots to go with your tots:
1) Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN
317-334-3322
CHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a massive five level facility with everything from dinosaurs to lessons on tolerance. It’s hard to get through the place in one day and if you find yourself still there at closing time you can take part in a parade to the front entrance. The new Take Me There Egypt exhibit is one that kids are sure to love.
2) Curious Kids Museum
415 Lake Boulevard
Saint Joseph, MI
(269) 983-CKID
CURIOUSKIDSMUSEUM.ORG
This two story playland has a beautiful view overlooking Lake Michigan. It contains exhibits covering science, electricity, careers in media, agriculture and art, with a special area for crawlers and toddlers.
3) Kohl’s Children’s Museum
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL
(847) 832-6600
KOHLSCHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
Dedicated to children from birth through age 8, this hands-on learning laboratory includes exhibits and programs aligned to the Illinois State Learning Standards. Kids can explore in a pint-sized restaurant, store, vet’s office, house and library.
4) Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
5100 Museum Drive
Oak Lawn, IL
708-423-6709
CMOAKLAWN.ORG
This museum recently moved into a new home and opened at the new site in July. A multi-level treehouse is one of the highlights among the many kid-friendly exhibits.
5) Exploration Station
1095 W. Perry Drive
Bourbonnais, IL
815-933-9905
BTPD.ORG
Operated by the Bourbonnais Township, it’s a bit smaller than other area children’s museums, but packs a ton of fun into the one story building. Kids will especially love the Medieval Castle.
6) Chicago Children’s Museum
700 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL
312-527-1000
CHICAGOCHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
Located on Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum has all the features of your standard kids’ museum and more. The three-story Kolver Family Climbing Schooner is the centerpiece of the museum and a unique feature that allows kids (and the grownups accompanying them) to scale down rafters and run through rope tunnels to the deck and then an underwater world.
With Target Free First Sundays admission is free for ages 15 and under and the first Sunday of the month. On Kraft Free Family Nights, admission is free for everyone from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
7) DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington Street
Naperville, IL
(630) 637-8000
DUPAGECHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
Check out one of the Family Fun Friday Nights where there is special programming or themed activities in addition to a whole museum to explore. The water table is one spot that the children won’t want to miss.
8) Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center
Three Rivers County Park
Intersections of I-65 and I-80/94
Lake Station, IN
219-963-2070
MYBELLABOOS.COM
Designed especially for young kids, Bellaboo’s is a new facility that is part of the Lake County Parks where the emphasis is put on playing. Everything is hands on and geared toward imagination, such as dress up, face painting and playing store.
9) KidsWork Children’s Museum
11 South White Street
Frankfort, IL
815-469-1199
KIDSWORKCHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
Open less than a year, the KidsWork Children’s Museum offers special programs, such as free story times along more than a dozen exhibit areas. There’s also a special toddler area for ages 2 and under.
10) Bronzeville Children’s Museum
9301 South Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-721-9301
BRONZEVILLECHILDRENSMUSEUM.COM
The Bronzeville Children’s Museum is the first and only African-American children’s museum in the country. Named for the Bronzeville neighborhood where a large population of African-Americans settled after relocating from southern states, the museum is designed for ages 3 to 9 by tour.
Do you know of another great children's museum? Leave your comments below.
Read more on these exhibits here.
Please visit my home page here for more parenting topics. I'm also the Chicago Family Staycations Examiner. Check out that page here for ideas for family staycations, day trips and weekend getaways. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/carrieste.
