It's the time of year when activities move indoors for many of us. The grandchildren are just as energetic, but the cold weather in most parts of the country can limit their time outdoors.
It's a good time to take the grandkids to a museum devoted to children, complete with hands-on activities that provide mental and physical exercise. Grandboomers has compiled a cross-country list to get you started, but check your local area for the museum closest to you.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
718-735-4400
This museum, founded in 1899, claims to be the world's first children's museum. Its teaching collection includes exhibits about cultural history, natural history, and technology. It houses a greenhouse, a steam engine, and a gristmill. There are more than 50,000 items on display.
Children's Museum of Boston
Museum Wharf
300 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
617-426-6500
This museum was founded in 1913. It's nestled at the foot of the Charles River and is convenient to major highways. Indoor parking is available. There are interactive games, toys, and many educational exhibits. Be sure to see what's playing at their IMAX theater. The Exhibit Center features participatory and viewable exhibitions on child development, natural history, science and technology, careers, handicaps, and cross-cultural understanding. More than 10,000 books, games, and other items are available in their Resource Center.
The Children's Museum of Cleveland
10730 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-791-7114
The Children's Museum is the only institution in Cleveland completely dedicated to the overall development of young children through multicultural programming. In its seventeenth year of operation, the Museum continues in its mission to provide exhibits and programs that enhance child development. Kidsize education shopping malls and farm exhibits are a must.
The Children's Museum of Denver
2121 Children's Museum Drive
Denver, CO 80211
303-433-7444
The Children's Museum of Denver offers a variety of exciting playscapes designed to be "Just My Size" for children from newborn through age eight. These play areas and exhibits engage children physically at the same time as they stimulate their minds and imaginations.
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-924-5437
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis features a series of areas providing games and activities for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 categories so children play and learn with their peers. Founded in 1926, the museum also boasts a collection of more than 100,000 artifacts.
The Children's Museum of Manhattan
212 West 83rd Street
New York, NY 10024
212-721-1223
Relatively new at 25 years of age, this museum features hands-on exhibits related to science, nature, and art. Children can create their own television programs in the museum's media and performing arts center. Other activities include paper making, painting, drawing, and creating postage stamps.
Connecticut Children's Museum
Children's Building
22 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-562-5437
Housed in a historic building adjacent to downtown New Haven, the museum consists of eight rooms representing different ways people learn. Note that this museum is open only Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Eugene Field House and Toy Museum
634 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
314-421-4689
Founded in 1936, this museum is housed in the birthplace of Eugene Field. It contains a collection of antique toys and dolls, along with a library on the works of Field.
Explora Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque
1701 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505 224 8300
Over 250 interactive science, technology and arts exhibits for all ages, including an experiment bar, an arts and crafts area, a high-wire bike and a robotics lab. Visitors can also discover a new way of looking at the performing arts in the Explora Theater.
The Exploratorium
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-563-7337
Founded in 1969, this museum is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts, and offers 500 participatory exhibits and art works illustrating the physical nature of the world and how we perceive it.
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-424-1233
This museum offers 15 kid-powered interactive exhibits for infants through age 10. Numerous career-related exhibits help kids explore what they want to be when they grow up.
Kidspace -- A Participatory Museum
390 South El Molino
Pasadena, CA 91101
213-449-9143
Kidspace offers creative learning for children. Youngsters operate cameras in a mock television studio and broadcast from a radio booth. Be sure to stop by the robot and have a conversation.
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago
165 Green Bay Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-512-1300
The Kohl Children's Museum's mission is to integrate play and learning through an environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and self discovery. Their fun and interactive exhibits reflect different learning styles and are fun for children through age eight.
Los Angeles Children's Museum
310 North Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-687-8801
Children participate in a variety of activities at this museum in such places as Sticky City, with giant foam blocks for construction fun; City Streets, with city vehicles and street signs; TV Studios, where children create their own news broadcasts; and Workshop Place, which fosters creativity in arts and crafts.
National Children's Museum
800 Third Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-543-8600
Founded in 1974, this museum was formerly the Capital Children's Museum. It's facilities include a living room, a metric exhibit, a simple machines display, a computer classroom, a communications exhibit, and a futuristic center.
Please Touch Museum
210 North 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-963-0667
The Please Touch Museum actually issues a children's newspaper and offers special exhibits on cultural artifacts of daily life, folk art and sculpture, natural science, technology, musical instruments, games, registered toys, costumes, masks, foot gear, and hats.
© 2012 Created by Myles Bristowe.
