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Different than a science or art museum (we'll talk about those in other posts), a children's museum is designed specifically to provoke a sense of wonder and discovery in children. Interactive displays, age-appropriate exhibits, and hands-on arts and crafts activities make a children's museum a top spot for parents and kids to get up and go. Often called children's discovery centers or even a junior museum, there's enough going on to keep kids of all ages busy for hours. Often the displays change seasonally or annually, so there's always a reason to keep going back.

A children's museum provides a variety of things to touch and feel. For toddlers, soft stacking blocks, bubbles, silk and plastic plants and even sand is often featured in unique and informational ways. The museum close to us features an enormous "garden" area where little ones can pull up "vegetables" from the "ground." The vegetables are all soft and stuffed, and tuck nicely into cloth "furrows." Even my oldest gets a kick out of harvesting and replanting the cloth veggies.

Tunnels, fish, toy boats, dress-ups, wooden figures, charts, graphs and maps all have a place at the children's museum. It doesn't matter what the focus of the exhibits are--kids will be able to get right in the middle of things. Kids are invited to touch, poke, smell, listen, and even taste where appropriate. Mini science projects are popular, and they're guaranteed to spend some time at an art or craft table. Our museum features dinosaur fossils that kids can do rubbings from. They take a paper and a dark peeled crayon and rub the image onto the paper. It's a great memento of the dinosaur exhibit there.

They'll be introduced to history through age-appropriate displays. Our museum has displays from several time periods and locations, such as an American West pioneer school, a fishing boat from Japan with costumes, and a simulation of the Oval Office at the White House. History comes alive for kids at the children's museum, providing a friendly introduction to important people, places and events.

To make the most of your visit to a children's museum, here are some tips: * Find out hours, admission and costs. See if you are allowed to bring in snacks for hungry kids or if there is a little cafeteria, etc. * Check out the website before you go to get an idea of what exhibits are there, both permanent and temporary. * Find out if there are any daily or weekly classes held and time your visit to coincide with that. * Let children discover at their own pace. There's no hurry to see everything in one trip. Whatever you didn't get to this time will be the perfect place to begin next time. * Resist the temptation to direct your child in exploring an exhibit. These are designed to draw them in and engage their minds. Let it happen on its own. * At the same time, be enthusiastic. Marvel with your child at the results of a mini science experiment or make a craft of your own. You'll have just as much fun as they do.

Click here for a list of children's museums from around the country, or check out your local directory assistance for the children's museum nearest you.

15 Minute Moment
Plan a surprise breakfast in bed for another member of the family. Let your child plan the menu and choose the day. Perhaps a homemade card of appreciation can be included.