Children's Museum Expedition

Please DO touch! That's the rule at children's museums, where interactive exhibits bring out the playfulness in all of us. Kids can steer a rocket ship, paint a masterpiece, climb through a human body, dress in medieval clothing, touch a shark's jawbone, play with periscopes, shop at a mini-farm stand, play garage mechanic, dig for dinosaurs and more. Geez, we're exhausted just thinking of it all! What to Pack

• Snacks, if allowed (see below)

Now Get Exploring!

• Find a museum. To locate a children's museum near you, go to Childrensmuseums.org.
• Check the museum's Web site. Look up hours, admission fees, special events, performances and traveling exhibits. See if food is available on-site or the museum allows you to bring your own. Check rules about strollers, too.
• Follow your child's lead. Let her choose which exhibits to explore and spend as much (or as little) time at each as she likes.
• Go on a scavenger hunt. How many of these items can your child spot: a vehicle, an animal, a puzzle, a science display, an item from another culture, art materials, a photo, a doll, a costume, a plant.
• Pace your visit. Alternate active experiences with quiet ones and stop for a snack to prevent meltdowns.
• Investigate. Ask your child open-ended questions at each exhibit you visit:
  • What do we do here?
  • How does this work?
  • Why did that happen?
  • What do you think will happen next?
  • What do you want to explore now?
  • What did you like best and why?
• Read all about it. Loved the taxi at the museum? Read The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Barracca. For an exploration of the human body, check out The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole. For kids who love mixing colors, read Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Ask your librarian for more recommendations.

Educational Perks Children's museums offer kids pint-size versions of the grown-up world in a safe and engaging environment. They can introduce the arts, science, the environment and other cultures while encouraging kids to imagine, create and explore—all at their own pace. Bonus Explorer Activity Capitalize on a new interest discovered at the museum. Start a rock collection, plant a terrarium, experiment with bubbles, make a scrapbook. Follow your child's lead and give him the time and materials to explore his new obsession at home. For more exploring, play Dora's Great Big World game, find do-together Dora crafts, recipes, and activities, and print a personalized Explorer Kit for your child at DoraTheExplorer.com.

Thanks to Susan Hood

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