— When you buy through a link on our site, 10Best may earn a commission. Our editors operate independently of affiliate relationships.
It can be a challenge to keep kids entertained, especially on days when the weather doesn't cooperate. Luckily these museums, voted as the 10 best in the U.S. for families, offer interactive and engaging experiences for kids and adults alike.
Photo courtesy of Crayola Experience
No. 10: Crayola Experience - Easton, Pennsylvania
Be immersed in color at Crayola Experience, located two hours away from Philadelphia and New York City in Easton, Pennsylvania. There’s no limitation to creativity at this one-of-a-kind attraction, where children can explore art and technology. Let your imagination run free, color outside the lines and watch the magic of Crayola come to life! 10Best contributor Kyle McCarthy adds, “Hands-on, creative space with a playground, art displays, teacher-led arts workshops and live science show about how crayons are made.”
Photo courtesy of A family playing with the interactive displays in "Puppet Parade"
No. 9: The DoSeum - San Antonio, Texas
Opened in 2015 in San Antonio, The DoSeum is much more than a children’s museum – it’s "a place where minds are always at play.” Each guest is inspired to cultivate their curiosity and explore the joy of learning through STEM, the arts and literacy. Exhibits, programs, camps, classes and field trips are offered for all ages. DIY activities to do at home, such as fairy garden terrariums and paper making, encourage learning after leaving the museum.
Photo courtesy of Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
No. 8: Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus - Denver, Colorado
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus welcomes more than half a million children per year to their collection of interactive, hands-on exhibits. The museum is divided into four areas – Explore, Imagine, Investigate and Create – each with its own set of one-of-a-kind experiences. Go climbing at Altitude, gear up at Fire Station No. 1, learn about power at Energy or get creative in the Art Studio.
Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
No. 7: Please Touch Museum - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum offers two floors of exhibits that kids are actively encouraged to touch. Little ones can build at the Imagination Playground or go down the rabbit hole to a Wonderland-inspired play station. A historic and recently refurbished carousel is a great way to end a visit on a high note. The museum also hosts a variety of family-friendly programs, so there's always something new to explore.
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Museum Center
No. 6: The Children's Museum - Cincinnati, Ohio
Kids 12 and under will enjoy hands-on fun with the engaging exhibits at The Children's Museum in Cincinnati. Eight themed areas, like The Energy Zone and Kids' Town, offer the opportunity for kids to learn, climb and explore.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Children's Museum
No. 5: Louisiana Children's Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana
The Louisiana Children’s Museum is situated on 8.5 acres and offers two floors of interactive exhibits for kids to enjoy and explore. Exhibits cover topics in literacy, the environment, STEM, arts and culture, and health and wellness.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi Children's Museum
No. 4: Mississippi Children's Museum - Jackson, Mississippi
Dynamic hands-on exhibits and learning programs make the Mississippi Children's Museum an engaging and fun place for kiddos. This children's museum places an emphasis on the areas of literacy, health and nutrition, cultural arts, STEAM and Mississippi heritage with its eight galleries and seasonal exhibits.
Photo courtesy of Kohl Children's Museum
No. 3: Kohl Children's Museum - Glenview, Illinois
With a special emphasis on early childhood learning, the Kohl Children's Museum just outside Chicago features 17 interactive exhibits. Kids get creative at Adventures in Art, practice social skills at Cooperation Station, make a splash at Water Works and connect with nature in the outdoor Habitat Park. The museum is designed for children under 8 years of age.
Photo courtesy of Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
No. 2: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Inside the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, visitors can explore numerous hands-on, interactive exhibit areas meant to spark curiosity. The Garage is the place to explore things that bounce, race and roll; the Studio allows kids to express their creativity through various art forms and the Kindness Gallery lets kids try different forms of communication to send messages of empathy and kindness.
Photo courtesy of The Children's Museum of indianapolis
No. 1: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, Indiana
A favorite Indy attraction, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest museum of its kind in the world, encompassing 29 acres of fun-filled exhibits. Kids can snap a selfie with a T-rex, explore outer space through the lens of NASA’s Project Mercury, travel overseas without a passport in "Take Me There: Greece," and play one of 12 sports outdoors in a fabulous interactive sports park with health in mind.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Amber Gibson
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels... Read More
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels searching for the latest and greatest in the travel industry. Her writing and photographs have appeared in print, online, and on the radio for outlets including Forbes, National Geographic Traveler, Departures, Four Seasons Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, NPR, Saveur, Departures, Rhapsody, Hemispheres, American Way, Private Air, and Serious Eats. She graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and received a fellowship to attend the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her biggest weaknesses.
Amber Gibson
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels searching for the latest and greatest in the travel industry. Her writing and photographs have appeared in print, online, and on the radio for outlets including Forbes, National Geographic Traveler, Departures, Four Seasons Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, NPR, Saveur, Departures, Rhapsody, Hemispheres, American Way, Private Air, and Serious Eats. She graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and received a fellowship to attend the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her biggest weaknesses.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.