The exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the biggest attraction of its kind worldwide, number in their hundreds of thousands and are fun and inspiring in equal measure. Explore science, history and nature, all in a beautifully designed building with a colourful spiral staircase – the sheer scope of it will blow your mind.
Enter the ground floor, head to the Dinosphere and it’s 65 million years ago. There are dinosaurs outside and in, and your first task is to get dirty digging for fossils. Below ground level, there are more “Treasures of the Earth” – archaeological finds from an Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb, the first Chinese emperor and a pirate shipwreck.
Prepare to be moved and inspired in the “Power of Children” exhibition, with stories of children who have challenged prejudice and changed the world for the better. The displays retell the stories of Jewish girl Anne Frank, African-American Ruby Bridges and AIDS campaigner Ryan White. See where they lived, hear their words and find out about the legacy they left behind.
Another level up the spiral staircase, explore the history of childhood with “The Carousel”, one of the museum’s most popular attractions. Built originally for a fun fair, the carousel has a whole zoo of animals – horses, giraffes, a lion, a tiger, deer and goats – all beautifully preserved.
Far away from the distant past of the dinosaurs, the future is yours to discover at Science Works. Learn about DNA, build boats and arches, peer into ponds, try rock climbing and learn to love science.
With over 120,000 exhibit items and ever-changing temporary displays for children of all ages, it’s very easy to spend days at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
The museum is located just a few minutes’ drive north of Indianapolis city centre. It has a food court with healthy and seasonal meals, as well as family picnic areas. Admission is quite expensive but the museum is well worth it.
