Don't let the cold weather keep you on the couch! Gather up the kiddos and take a day trip to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for an unforgettable family adventure! With 11 major galleries available to explore, you will be immersed in art, science, history, world cultures, and so much more!
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Our Experience
My family recently visited the museum - and to say we had an amazing time is an understatement!
My dino-loving toddler was in awe of Dinosphere! We viewed full-size dinosaur skeletons (including a mummified dinosaur), touched an actual T-Rex bone, dug for fossils, and watched real scientists work in the Paleo Prep Lab!
In National Geographic Treasures of the Earth, my 10-year-old enjoyed reconstructing a Terra Cotta Warrior from China and exploring an Egyptian tomb.
The Beyond Spaceship Earth exhibit was my personal favorite! You feel as if you are stepping into the actual International Space Station. There are incredible space artifacts and tons of information and videos on how astronauts live day-to-day. The kiddos were even able to try on space gear and pretend they were about to take off in a space shuttle!
Throughout the day we spent time exploring Greece, touring a train, riding the Carousel, combining Science with Play, and watching the 33-foot-tall water clock in action. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch in the cafe and finished our day buying goodies in the gift shop.
There is so much to see and do at the museum, it's hard to fit it all in one day. I highly recommend you visit - my family will definitely make our way back there soon!
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Jolly Days Winter Wonderland
The holiday festivities are kicking off early this year at the museum with the grand opening of Jolly Days Winter Wonderland. Starting November 23, 2019, visitors can enjoy faux fishing, ice-skating, and holiday baking. There will also be a castle to climb and a dazzling globe that allows visitors to let it snow at the push of a button. The exhibit will be open through January 5, 2020, and families can visit Santa through Dec. 24, 2019.
The magic does not stop there. On November 29, 2019 families can watch elves rappel from the rooftop, and catch a glimpse of Santa as he zooms to The Children’s Museum in a real Indy Racing Experience two-seater! Those who arrive early can grab a yummy treat from the Gingerbread Café or a free cup of creamy, hot cocoa in the plaza. It all begins at 8:30 a.m. Family and friends can gather to wave to the museum’s jolliest celebrity and his sleigh-driver, Tony Kanaan, owner of #14 Foyt Racing IndyCar provided by Indy Racing Experience. Afterward, visitors will be invited to head inside to help guide Mr. Claus down the festive red carpet to the 47-foot-long Yule Slide and join the Chorduroys singing group for a holiday sing-along. Get into the holiday spirit and create magical memories that will last a lifetime. Ticket prices for the event range from $27.00 - $38.75.
Santa’s Big Arrival is presented by Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health. Jolly Days Winter Wonderland is presented by Riley Children's Health and supported by Splenda. The Lilly Theater production, The Magic Snowman, is supported by The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health, Old National Bank and Ice Miller LLP.
Free Admission Day
The museum will offer free admission to children and families on December 24, 2019. Please note the museum is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on that day. There will be plenty of programming during this festive time so that families can always experience something new: Earn your elf ears, participate in “snowball” fights, sing along with The Mistletoes, and talk to animated winter characters! See the programs happening the day of your visit on the museum’s online calendar. Free Admission Day is presented by Metro by T-Mobile.
Museum Hours
Although The Children’s Museum is closed most Mondays during the winter, it aims to provide plenty of opportunities for visiting children and families to enjoy museum festivities during the holidays and winter vacations. The museum will be open the following Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day:
December 16, 2019
December 23, 2019
December 30, 2019
December 24, 2019 - Free Admission Day
Please note: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will be closed on December 25, 2019.
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Please Note: Publisher was provided with product/compensation for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are her own.
