10 Best Children’s Museums Around the World
Children's museums offer immersive, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of exploration. From interactive science exhibits to imaginative play areas, these museums are designed to educate and entertain children of all ages. Here are ten of the best children’s museums around the world, known for their unique exhibits, engaging activities, and memorable experiences for the whole family.
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1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Why It’s Great: The largest children’s museum in the world, this incredible facility offers five floors of interactive exhibits, including a dinosaur fossil dig, a space exploration area, and the immersive "Dinosphere" exhibit, where kids can experience life-sized dinosaur recreations.
Top Highlights: Beyond dinosaurs, the museum also features a carousel, an outdoor sports experience, and a section dedicated to exploring global cultures.
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2. Boston Children’s Museum – Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Why It’s Great: Established in 1913, Boston Children’s Museum is one of the oldest children's museums in the world. Known for its focus on play-based learning, the museum is filled with interactive exhibits on art, science, and cultural diversity.
Top Highlights: The New Balance Climb, a three-story climbing structure, is a favorite, along with the Japanese House, an authentic two-story house from Kyoto, Japan, offering a glimpse into Japanese culture.
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3. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum – Halifax, United Kingdom
Why It’s Great: Located in Halifax, England, Eureka! is a fully interactive museum aimed at children aged 0–11. It’s designed around hands-on learning and imaginative play, with exhibits that encourage kids to explore how things work.
Top Highlights: The “All About Me” gallery, which teaches kids about the human body, and the “Spark Gallery,” which is focused on science and invention, are both popular. There's also an area for younger children, with plenty of sensory play.
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4. Papalote Museo del Niño – Mexico City, Mexico
Why It’s Great: This beloved children’s museum offers a diverse range of activities in science, technology, and environmental conservation. It’s located in Chapultepec Park and features exhibits that teach children about Mexican culture, history, and innovation.
Top Highlights: The Bubble Room, where kids can make enormous bubbles, and the Planetarium, which offers fascinating educational films about space and nature, are top attractions.
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5. Children’s Museum of Houston – Houston, Texas, USA
Why It’s Great: Known for its focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, the Children’s Museum of Houston is packed with interactive exhibits that challenge kids to think, explore, and create.
Top Highlights: The “PowerPlay” area, where kids can learn about health and physical fitness, and “How Does it Work?,” an area dedicated to physics and engineering, are major draws. There’s also Kidtropolis, a miniature city where kids can take on different “jobs” and learn about money and community.
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6. Please Touch Museum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Why It’s Great: True to its name, this museum encourages kids to touch, play, and explore every exhibit. Located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, it offers a range of interactive and imaginative exhibits that cater to young children.
Top Highlights: The “Alice in Wonderland” maze and “City Capers,” a miniature cityscape where kids can pretend to be everything from doctors to bus drivers, make this museum a favorite among families.
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7. Kidzania – Multiple Locations Worldwide
Why It’s Great: Kidzania is a unique, globally franchised children’s museum experience that lets kids try out different careers in a miniature city built just for them. With locations in cities like London, Tokyo, and Dubai, Kidzania is a hands-on introduction to the adult world.
Top Highlights: Kids can role-play in various professions, from firefighters to TV anchors, gaining an understanding of different jobs and skills in an engaging, fun environment.
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8. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum – Escondido, California, USA
Why It’s Great: This museum focuses on interactive exhibits that encourage creativity and curiosity, including areas dedicated to arts, culture, and science. With both indoor and outdoor spaces, it provides plenty of room for kids to explore and play.
Top Highlights: The Discovery Garden, where kids can learn about gardening and nature, and the “Explore Science” area, where hands-on exhibits explain scientific principles, are highlights for families.
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9. Museo de los Niños – San José, Costa Rica
Why It’s Great: Housed in a former prison, the “Children’s Museum” of San José offers more than 40 interactive exhibits focused on science, technology, history, and culture.
Top Highlights: The museum’s science and technology exhibits are fascinating, but the history exhibits—where kids can explore ancient cultures and Costa Rican history—offer a unique educational experience.
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10. ZOOM Children’s Museum – Vienna, Austria
Why It’s Great: Located in Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier, ZOOM offers creative and educational exhibits focused on children aged 0–14. The museum is divided into different zones, each with hands-on activities that encourage kids to learn through play.
Top Highlights: The “ZOOM Ocean” area, designed for kids under six, provides a water-play area, while the “ZOOM Studio” lets older kids work on art projects. There’s also an interactive cinema studio where kids can learn about film production.
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Conclusion
Each of these museums offers unique exhibits that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Whether you’re traveling or exploring your hometown, visiting a children’s museum is a great way to spend time together as a family while giving kids the chance to discover the world around them in a fun and engaging way.