Children’s museums offer a gateway to a world of wonder, creativity, and learning. These interactive spaces provide a blend of education and entertainment, making them ideal destinations for families with kids. From hands-on exhibits to engaging activities, children’s museums in Michigan provide a stimulating environment where kids can explore, experiment, and discover new things.
Let’s dive into some of the best children’s museums in Michigan to explore with your family.
West Michigan
Air Zoo – Portage, Michigan
The Air Zoo is one of my family’s personal favorite places for family fun. In addition to housing over 100 aircraft (and spacecraft), they have numerous interactive exhibits, plus a few rides for the kids! You’re going to want to take your time here.
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum – Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you’re looking for a place your elementary-aged kiddo can learn with hands-on activities, this is it. Teaching through play since 1993, this museum has steadily grown in popularity since opening. When planning your trip, be sure to check their website as the exhibits change regularly.
Curious Kids’ Museum – Saint Joseph, Michigan
Curious Kids’ Museum & Discovery Zone is located on Lake Michigan. The museum itself has numerous areas where little ones can explore their imagination, with a pretend play vetrinarian station and farmers market. Meanwhile, in the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone, your kiddos can sail handmade boats on a water table, and check out the Water Power Tower to see a water tornado, among other hands-on activities.
The Mittens Children’s Museum – South Haven, Michigan
This museum offers play-based learning for children of all ages. Little ones especially will love the Vroom Room, where you can pretend to be a mechanic, and putting on a puppet show in the Outdoors In exhibit.
Children’s Museum of Branch County – Coldwater, Michigan
If you have an age gap between your children, sometimes it can be hard to find a place that will entertain everybody. But that’s not a problem if you visit the Children’s Museum of Branch County in downtown Coldwater. There’s a wide variety of hands-on exhibits, such as the pedal power energy bike, river rock climbing wall, and a wind tunnel.
Mid-Michigan
Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum – Saginaw, Michigan
Two things immediately stood out to me about this museum. The first is the adaptive play tools they have available, because they value inclusivity. The second is how big the museum is at over 16,000 square feet! There are a variety of educational play spaces, and there’s definitely something for everybody here.
Impression 5 Science Center – Lansing, Michigan
This science center in Lansing has a lot for kids of all ages to do. Your little ones can learn about dental health with a giant set of teeth they can brush, meanwhile older kids may enjoy visiting SMASH: A Nuclear Adventure. When you’re done checking out everything else, the whole family can enjoy the water exhibit, FLOW.
Kids ‘n’ Stuff – Albion, Michigan
Located between Jackson and Battle Creek, Kids ‘n’ Stuff is a popular museum for younger kids. One unique exhibit is about the Kalamazoo River Watershed, and includes a water table so the kids can have a hands-on experience. Beyond that, there’s no shortage of pretend play opportunities, as well as an air and movement exhibit that’s pretty neat.
South-Eastern Michigan
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum – Ann Arbor, Michigan
This STEM-focused museum holds a variety of activities to keep your family busy. The Preschool Gallery is great for little ones, from exploring water to playing dress up. But don’t worry, there’s something for all ages here! Head to the Legacy Gallery to learn Morse code, and how the internet works, or bend a laser at the Light and Optics exhibit.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation – Dearborn, Michigan
While not specifically a children’s museum, this one had to make the list. The Henry Ford Museum includes so many exhibits, I don’t think you can see them all in one trip. Pick and choose based on the interests of your family – and be sure to check and see if they have a traveling exhibit you want to see! The trains and automobile exhibits will always be there – the traveling exhibits won’t be.
Michigan Science Center – Detroit, Michigan
The Michigan Science Center offers a creative and inspiring environment for people of all ages (not just children) to learn about STEM. They offer several engaging exhibits, like the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, as well as limited-time events to keep you coming back.
There are so many amazing children’s museums in Michigan to explore with your family.
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