The words “museum” and “kids” might not seem like they go together, but a new wave of museum education is creating exhibits that are engaging, educational, and fun for the family. Sound too good to be true? Check out these eight museums for Kids that every kid should visit!
- Field Museum, Chicago
This vast tribute to natural history covers more than nine acres at a beautiful lakefront location. There are dioramas of all kinds of animals and habitats, but the most popular attraction is Sue, the largest complete Tyrannosaurus fossil in the world. I have LOVED every time I have been there!
Website: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Home to the original Space Camp, this science center is home to everything space and rocket related. Learn what it’s like for astronauts throughout history and see models and actual versions of famous space capsules, including the Saturn V rocket. I can’t wait to visit it next year!
Website: http://rocketcenter.com/
- Ellis Island Museum, New York City
Aside from the stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, this museum provides a captivating look at what life was like for the thousands of immigrants who came through Ellis Island. It’s a fascinating look at American history and provides an opportunity to research relatives who came to the U.S. hundreds of years ago. We get to go there this summer!
Website: http://libertyellisfoundation.org/immigration-museum
- California Science Center, Los Angeles
This interactive building puts kids right inside the science experiments with hands-on areas dedicated to exploring ecosystems, gravity, and space travel. A highlight of the museum is definitely a visit to the real space shuttle Endeavor.
Website: https://californiasciencecenter.org/
- National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
This eye-opening museum is housed in the motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed and provides the history of the civil rights movement starting with slavery through the 1960s and to our modern day. It is better suited for older children and is sure to expand their classroom learning.
- National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.
Some of the most well known pieces of American history are housed in the museum, including an original, war-torn American flag, as well as war and pop culture-related items. There are also hands-on areas where kids can become a part of the social studies lessons. This is on our “must see” list for our trip to D.C. next year!
Website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/
- Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Visiting this living museum is like stepping back in time to a fully operating 18th century village. Walk the streets to see hundreds of restored or reconstructed historical buildings, docents in character, and lots of demonstrations of what life was like hundreds of years ago. I can’t wait to see this next year!
Website: http://www.history.org/
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
This massive museum is known as one of the best in the world and is full of treasures to explore, including exhibits dedicated to Egyptian artifacts, Greek sculptures, Impressionist art, and much more. There are printed or downloadable museum guides geared specifically for children. We get to check it out this summer!
Website: http://www.metmuseum.org/
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