What's Happening at the Museums?

Interested in the Earth, fish, rocks, art, dinosaurs, planes or ships? Museums are great places to explore, many have fantastic exhibits. Spend a fun day indoors learning something new. Immersive yourself in an interactive experience for you and your family. Here are some of the more unique attractions waiting for kids to discover. Please confirm availability prior to visiting as there may be timed admissions or fee based tickets.

Fun Exhibits for Kids of All Ages

Morris Museum Smithsonian (Spark! Lab)

The Spark!Lab offers children ages 5-12 years old hands-on science learning. Held Wednesdays-Sundays from noon to 4pm. Use creativity to tackle engineering and design challenges. Various exhibits to explore: "Mega Model Train Gallery" for all the train fans out there, "Earth Science Gallery" where you can touch a dinosaur egg, and "Mechanical Music and Automata" full of self-winding dolls & figurines. Museum is located in Morristown, NJ.

Intrepid Museum

The Intrepid is a sea, air & space museum. Come for Kids Week on February 15-22, 2025, where children can explore STEM through NASA display and exhibits. The Intrepid Museum has rotating exhibitions on naval history, space exploration, and space technology. Tours available. Exhibits include: “On the Mend: Restoring Intrepid’s Sick Bay” - learn about medical care onboard aircraft; the Space Shuttle Pavilion is home to the Enterprise, and more! Pier 86, W 46th St, New York City.

Imagine That!!! Children's Museum

Fantastic indoor playground and museum that is learning-focused with over 20 structured play areas & exhibits for preschoolers & young children. Spend a day full of discovery and adventure at Imagine That!!! in Florham Park, NJ. Explore galore, climb, jump, paint, shop, make music and more! Open play hours available. Museum Cafe offers allergy friendly food options.

Liberty Science Center

New display through May 2025: "Curious George Let’s Get Curious", step into George’s world, explore and discover like George. The Liberty Express mini passenger train is now open for rides on weekends and holidays. Other exhibits at the Liberty Science Center: Wild About Animals, Infinity Climber, Touch Tunnel, Wobbly World, Dino Dig Adventure, The Great Train Set, and more! LSC is located in Jersey City, NJ.

The National Constitution Center

Explore The First Amendment Gallery at The National Constitution Center, with interactive exhibits and artifacts. Discover the story of “We the People”. Watch a 360 degree 17 minute film “Freedom Rising” in the museum’s theater. Kids can walk through Signers' Hall: The Constitutional Convention Exhibit and see 42 life-size statues of the men who gathered in Philadelphia for the signing of the Constitution. See if you can spot George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and others. 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.

New Jersey State Museum

Visit the NJ State Museum in Trenton NJ. Opening this March is the Robert Duran art exhibit on color shapes. Ecosystem at Risk: Threatened and Endangered in New Jersey exhibit starts in April, learn about NJ’s rivers, bays, coasts, and pinelands. Children can participate and register for the Small Explorers program, explore the museum and connect with other families - this occurs on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Families can also enjoy public planetarium shows on space, astronomy, and the planets on weekdays and weekends.

RVCC Planetarium (Astronomy and Laser Shows)

The 3M Observatory and RVCC Planetarium are open with public shows throughout the year. Shows run 45-60 minutes: The Sky Above (Sensory Friendly dates), Laser Kids, Our Lovely Skies, Magic Tree House: Space Mission, and more! Monthly themed planetarium shows, special events, and group field trips also offered. Located in Branchburg, NJ.

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Introduce the world of contemporary art to your kids at the Visual Arts in Summit NJ.. Spring exhibit opening February 7, 2025. Also offered is The Studio School, featuring personalized art experiences for children & adults, along with summer art camp classes.

The Watershed Institute

FREE to the public. Kids can learn about conserving water and the environment through education at the Watershed Institute in Pennington NJ. Take self-guided or prearranged staff-led tours, see live animal displays, interactive exhibits, a laboratory, weather station, and more. There are 10 miles of trails through forests, wetlands, meadows and farmlands, open daily from dawn until dusk. Don’t miss the seasonal Butterfly House and Organic Farm.

Adventure Aquarium

Now through Feb 12th explore aquatic life through “The Animal Crossing New Horizons Aquarium Tour”. The Little Blue Penguins living at The Little Blue Beach will sure to delight. Kids can immerse themselves in a 3-D Theater experience, now showing Ocean Odyssey and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. How about Touch a Shark, and other sea creatures! Play your way through KidsZone with hands-on activities at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ.

The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey

For aviation enthusiasts, see aircrafts, helicopters, airplane models, spacecrafts, and other displays. Check website for upcoming Open Cockpit Days. Aviation Hall of Fame is located in Teterboro, NJ.

Liberty Hall Museum

Experience American history at Liberty Hall in Union NJ. Visit this 50 room revolutionary era home and learn about its history. Check out various educational school programs and events offered throughout the year.

Montclair Art Museum

“A to Sze: Collecting at MAM” exhibit featuring many artists runs February 8, 2025 to July 6, 2025. Other exhibits include: Family, Community, Belonging: Works from the Collection opens February 9, 2025. Children can participate in fun family activities: A guided art-making activity with a MAM art educator is offered every Sunday of each month. Visit the Family Learning Lab with activity prompts, art supplies, and books. Montclair Art Museum admission required to participate. First Free Thursdays (nightly) offered each month.

Monmouth Museum

Two children’s wings and two galleries with rotating exhibits. For kids at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft NJ, The Wonder Ring is for children ages 6 and younger, with a puzzle corner, treehouse, lighthouse, play area, and arts & crafts. The Becker STEAM Wing brings science to life with fossils, dinosaurs, paleo lab, air & space section. The seasonal Nature Area is open to all from Spring to Fall, featuring wildlife, butterfly garden, bird watching and more!

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park

Take a escorted tour to see Thomas Edison and his work. Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Walk through exhibits and hear amazing stories about Thomas Edison and historic Menlo Park. Exhibits include: early light bulbs, Edison inventions, the Edison phonograph, Edison’s laboratory, and hands-on demos. Explore nearby nature trail in Edison State Park in Edison, NJ.

The American Museum of Natural History

Visit the Apex Stegosaurus Fossil, a large and complete 150 million year old specimen. Take in the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium see up close pupae incubators, moths, and over 80 species of butterflies! Discover the “The Secret Worlds of Elephants”, learn how they hear, eat, and survive. Uncover the “Invisible Worlds”, an immersive experience connecting life on Earth. Central Park West at 79th St, New York, NY, amnh.org

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Go and see Modern & Contemporary art, Medieval art, Egyptian art, American art, European Sculpture and more! Various museum tours available on a first come first serve basis. Admission is FREE for kids 12 & under. Download or pick up a Family Guide at the Information Desk. Special family events, child workshops, storytime, children's activities presented throughout the year. Please check website for details. Some are free and some are free with museum admission. 1000 Fifth Ave, New York, NY.

New York Transit Museum

For kids who love trains! Housed in an authentic 1936 subway station, learn the history of New York’s subway system. See and touch different types of collection equipment at the New York Transit Museum. Home to twenty vintage subway and elevated cars. View subway signs and scale model trains. Check museum’s event calendar and sign up for tours - Underground NYC Tour: Subway 101, Museum Highlights Tour, and more! Ticket to Ride exhibit showcases the evolution of transit fare collection. 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY.

The Franklin Institute

Newest exhibit “Body Worlds: Vital” gives you an in-depth look at the human body. Live science demonstrations. Explore the night sky at Fels Planetarium. Other exhibits: Wondrous Space, Hamilton Collections Gallery on a steam locomotive, Body Odyssey, Your Brain, SportsZone, Amazing Machine, and more! 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA, fi.edu