Top 10 Kid-Friendly Museums in the US (And What to Do There)
Looking for an unforgettable family adventure that mixes fun, learning, and just the right amount of chaos? We’ve rounded up 10 of the most kid-friendly museums across the U.S. – each packed with hands-on exhibits, colourful spaces, and endless opportunities for curious minds to explore.
Whether your road-tripping this summer or bookmarking ideas for rainy days, these museums are more than just places to look at stuff – they’re places to do stuff.
1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Why kids love it: It’s the largest children’s museum in the world – and it feels like it! Every floor is filled with towering dinosaurs, space adventures, cultural exhibits, and interactive science experiments. Kids love the freedom to climb, dig, build, and explore in a space that seems designed entirely with them in mind. Must-do activity: Dig for dinosaur bones in the Dinosphere, ride the antique carousel, and don’t miss the immersive Beyond Spaceship Earth exhibit.
2. Please Touch Museum (Philadelphia, PA)
Why kids love it: The name says it all – this is one museum where kids can run wild (in a good way). Designed for the littlest learners, every exhibit is hands-on, kid-sized, and imagination-fueled. There are fairy tale forests, rocket ships, and even a replica supermarket where kids can "shop" for groceries. Must-do activity: Pretend play takes center stage here. From mini supermarkets to kid-size hospitals, your little ones will be running the world in no time.
3. Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA)
Why kids love it: This science museum feels more like a wonderland of weird, wild, and wow. It’s packed with hundreds of interactive exhibits that explain how the world works – often in hilarious or surprising ways. Kids can touch lightning, walk through a hall of mirrors, or learn why bubbles are round. Must-do activity: Try the fog bridge, shadow box, and the tactile dome (for the brave!). It's perfect for tweens who love to tinker and question everything.
4. Boston Children’s Museum (Boston, MA)
Why kids love it: It strikes the perfect balance between play and learning. From a life-size Japanese house to engineering challenges and art projects, this museum sparks curiosity at every turn. There’s even a bubble room, which, let’s face it, is always a hit. Must-do activity: Climb the iconic three-story New Balance Foundation Climb, explore the Construction Zone, or get creative in the Art Studio.
5. Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, IL)
Why kids love it: It’s massive, immersive, and totally mind-blowing. There’s a working model train the size of a tennis court, a mirror maze, and weather simulators. It’s where kids can explore real science in real time – and feel like mini inventors and explorers while doing it. Must-do activity: Walk through a real U-505 German submarine, create a mini tornado, or step inside a life-sized hamster wheel to learn about energy.
6. Children’s Museum Houston (Houston, TX)
Why kids love it: This museum feels like a mini city where they run the show. With exhibits about money, science, culture, and even espionage, there’s something for every kind of kid – from artists to adventurers to future CEOs. Must-do activity: Run the city in Kidtropolis, explore the FlowWorks water exhibit, or test your spy skills in SECRET(yes, it’s a spy-themed mission!).
7. Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, NY)
Why kids love it: It’s basically a shrine to all things fun. Toys, games, superheroes, and video games fill the space – and kids are encouraged to play with them all. There’s a butterfly garden, a comic book gallery, and even a giant climbing structure. Must-do activity: Relive the best parts of childhood – play in the life-sized Sesame Street set, explore the Video Game History exhibit, and try vintage board games.
8. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus (Denver, CO)
Why kids love it: It’s colorful, creative, and full of energy. Every exhibit invites kids to explore the world around them – whether they’re splashing in the water zone, launching rockets, or scaling the climbing tower. There’s also an outdoor space for extra-active explorers. Must-do activity: Get messy in the Art Studio, scale the Altitude climbing structure, and build your own contraption in the Assembly Plant.
9. Discovery Place Science (Charlotte, NC)
Why kids love it: It turns science into an adventure. From lab experiments to animal encounters, this museum lets kids become scientists, explorers, and inventors – all in one day. The live demonstrations and hands-on activities make learning feel like playtime. Must-do activity: Watch live science shows, get hands-on with robotics, and even touch real animal skulls and fossils in the Explore More Life Lab.
10. California Science Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Why kids love it: It’s got space shuttles, interactive ecosystems, and robots galore. Everything is supersized and futuristic, and the hands-on exhibits help kids understand the science behind everything from earthquakes to space travel. Plus, it’s free! Must-do activity: Marvel at the shuttle Endeavour, explore how ecosystems work in the Ecosystems exhibit, and learn about the science of superheroes in temporary exhibitions.
✂️ Bonus Tip for Parents: Want to keep your kids busy before the museum even opens? Pack a TSA-compliant ArtsBot craft kit in your bag. Each one is a self-contained creative experience with everything they need to build, colour, or craft—no scissors or glue required. Great for plane rides, hotel downtime, or recharging little batteries after a long museum day.
Museums are more than just quiet halls with “do not touch” signs — at these amazing places, kids are the stars of the show. So grab your calendar, round up the crew, and start planning your next epic museum adventure!
