Fun and Engaging Museum Experiences for Kids

Photo: FamilyTravelsUSA

As I was writing this article, I was feeling pretty good thinking about the number and types of museums that our family has visited over the years. These include places like the small town Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, Virginia, (a family favorite which recently expanded), to the amazing free Smithsonian Museums in DC.  In recent years, we have branched out to visit the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (home of the Grand Ole Opry for over 30 years), the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, and the EMP in Seattle (see photo).  

Then I did some research and found out that there are over 35,000 museums in the US (according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services). That could literally take a lifetime to visit each and every one!  But that doesn’t mean you can’t set a more reasonable goal of exploring a few new museums each year. With older kids, my husband and I have learned to appreciate museums that offer interactive exhibits or other unique activities in addition to things like hand-held audio tours that enable the kids to experience the museum at their own pace.  So with that in mind, here are a few ideas for kid-friendly museum attractions and interactive exhibits worth adding to your list.

• Try the Smithsonian Techquest: Eye in the Sky at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.  This hidden gem is located near Dulles Airport in Virginia, and because of its large size, is able to house many larger aircraft such as the Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery. The museum recently added the Techquest, an alternate reality game where visitors can use their problem solving and decision making skills to locate a missing aircraft that contains secret technology.  The self-guided game takes between 1 and 2 hours, so you can easily combine it with a visit to the museum.  Admission to the museum is free, but there is a $15 parking fee.  Information on dates and times for the Techquest program is available on the Udvar-Hazy Center website. 

• Become a Spy in the City in Washington, DC.  Visit the International Spy Museum, where you can rent a GPS device to begin your mission.   Participants will receive clues and complete their mission to locations within a one mile circuit of the museum.  Separate admission to the museum is not required to participate, however the Spy Museum is definitely worth a visit, especially for tweens and teens. For ticket information and availability, visit the International Spy Museum website. 

• Check out the new exhibit “The Art of the Brick” at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  If you are looking to introduce art to young children, this might be the way to go. The exhibit includes LEGO interpretations of famous art like the Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s Starry Night, along with a 20-foot long T-Rex.  While you are there, visit Ben’s Brick House, which is a play area for visitors of all ages.  Kids can build bridges, catapults and other original LEGO designs.  The exhibit runs through September 6, 2015.

• Get Lost in a Maze. For kids who like a challenge with numbers and patterns, visit the Mirror Maze in the Numbers in Nature Exhibit at The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  If you put your mind to it, you may even find the hidden room within the maze. The Museum is offering free entry to kids ages 3-11 through the end of February, but you have to go online to request a voucher.  

For more fun places to visit, check out Tripadvisor's Top 25 Museums in the United States. You are sure to find plenty of good recommendations to add to your list.  Let me know if you have any favorites!