The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana

On vacation you and your children can learn how a telescope works, about astronomers, solve mysteries using science and tools, and learn about children who made a difference. Anne Frank had to hide from the Nazis as a 13-year-old during the Holocaust; Ruby Bridges was one of the first children integrated into the New Orleans Public School System, and Ryan White as a 13-year-old AIDS victim just wanted to go to school like everyone else. You can also see one of the largest displays of dinosaur fossils in the United States, as well as one of the country's finest collections of dinosaur art, borrow books or play computer games on a laptop computer, watch children's entertainment, and more at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. MSNBC has ranked the museum as one of the top ten for children.

In one of the newest exhibitions at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis your children can visit an Egyptian home, shop at a local marketplace, or even participate in a typical Egyptian celebration. There are hands-on activities.

At the museum you can learn about Biotechnology and how it affects you and keeps bugs from damaging crops. You can learn about cleaning up oil spills. There are opportunities for classes, workshops, and institutes.

When learning about such children as Anne Frank, Ryan White, and Ruby Bridges, your children will learn that they are never too young to have an impact on those around them. They will find out that even when they are young they can plant a tree, help the homeless, or make a difference in any number of other ways. The museum even gives The Power of Children Awards to middle and high school students who have benefitted communities. The 2010 awards will be presented November 5, 2010. Winners will receive a $2,000 grant to continue helping people, a four year scholarship to an Indiana college, recognition in the exhibit for at least a year, recognition and honor during an award ceremony, and an interview on television.

In the science port, children can join other investigators in trying to solve the Case of the Mystery Plants. Children can actually start their investigations at home, visit the museum, and finish their work at home on the Internet. With Biotech-Cool Green Tool! children receive the science tools to solve a mystery, and care for a living organism. Participants play interactive games and join in activities as they learn about healthy activities, including exercise and nutrition.

In the All Aboard Section, children learn about the days of the steam engine train. There are more than 100 toy train sets, a huge 35-foot long, 55-ton steam engine designed by Reuben Wells in 1868, which once pushed cars up a grade of almost 6%, view a movie about the Wells train, and view the scenery people saw on the trains in the 1800's.

In the Lilly Theater, students can see a variety of entertainment, including Bat Encounter and Dorothy Returns, based on Ozma of Oz.

Playscape is a preschool gallery for children five and younger.

In Story Avenue, children learn about the tradition of storytelling and oral traditions in the African American community. They will hear stories in Aunt Janice's car, the Story Bank, the Boogedy Boogedy Style Shop, and a family dining table.

There are plenty of hands-on activities in Scienceworks, as children learn about science, including children having the chance to crawl through dirt like earthworms.

There are plenty of activities throughout the year at the museum, which has an active speaker's bureau.

The museum is open from March 1st to September 6th and Tuesday through Sunday from September 7th through February 28th. The rate is $10.50 for those 2-17, $15.50 for those 18-59, and $14.50 for those 60 and older. Groups save 20% off the original admission price.

Citations:

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, no author listed, childrensmuseum.org Children's Museum of Indianapolis, no author listed, tripadvisor.com
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, no author listed, tripadvisor.com