Now that I travel with a toddler, I am always thrilled to find out that a city has a children\u2019s museum. Admittedly, I was not very knowledgeable about what children\u2019s museums actually contained before I started frequenting them. In general, they are educational in nature and have fun, interactive spaces for kids to discover and play. Here are five of the top children\u2019s museums (out of over 200) in the country.<\/p>\n
The Children\u2019s Museum of Indianapolis<\/p>\n
If your kids are dinosaur fans, this is the place for them. One of the first things they\u2019ll see is the life-size replica of a T. Rex at the door. Budding paleontologists will also be thrilled by one of the world\u2019s most complete T. Rex fossils, as well as a simulated fossil dig. The dinosaur goodies are just the tip of the iceberg at one of the most established and respected children\u2019s museums in the country.<\/p>\n
The Boston Children\u2019s Museum<\/a><\/p>\n Toddlers and preschoolers will love the multisensory exhibits designed just for them, while their older siblings learn about world arts and cultures (the Japanese silk merchant\u2019s home is a popular exhibit). A truly unique space for the whole family.<\/p>\n Discovery Center (Illinois)<\/p>\n Focused mostly on science, the Discovery Center features a planetarium for budding astronauts and a giant mouse-hole maze that is sure to delight. The Rock River Discovery Park is an outdoor area aimed at environmental education. This is truly a world-class institution that will impress both kids and adults.<\/p>\n Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum<\/a><\/p>\n A favorite amongst New York City\u2019s youngest citizens, the Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum houses over 25,000 cultural and natural history artifacts (favorites include the dinosaur footprints and Indonesian shadow puppets). There is also quite a bit of emphasis on \u201ccity life,\u201d allowing kids to discover the history and cultures of New York and other parts of the world. Founded in 1899, it is the world\u2019s oldest children\u2019s museum and one of the best.<\/p>\n