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.

Fun Exhibits for Kids of All Ages

Buehler Challenger & Science Center

Kids can embark on a space mission beyond their wildest dreams at the Buehler Challenger & Science Center! Public Missions allow students to take pre-flight training and a simulated space flight in a Spacecraft. Full Mission or a Mini Mission options. Kids work on teams to conduct experiments, monitor life support, and implement navigation orders. 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ.

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!!! Explore galore, climb, jump, paint, shop, make music and more! Museum Cafe offers allergy friendly food options. 4 Vreeland Rd, Florham Park, NJ.

The National Constitution Center

New Exhibit at The National Constitution Center: The First Amendment. Enjoy a live theatrical production of Freedom Rising. 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 on September 17, 1787. See if you can spot George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and others. 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Newark Museum of Art - Monthly Family Saturdays & Sundays

New exhibit through May 2024: Animal Kingdom celebrates the astounding variety of life on Earth. Also each month on select dates, enjoy a day of fun science for the whole family. Newark Museum of Art's interactive area MakerSPACE is where kids can tinker and create. Family drop-in Collage and Assemblage. Planetarium shows. General admission ticket required. 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ.

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, Laser Kids, Countdown to the Eclipse, Skies over Hogwarts, Astronomy Tonight, and more! Monthly themed planetarium shows also offered. 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ.

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Introduce the world of art to your kids at Visual Arts. New exhibits coming end of Fall 2023. The Studio School features personalized art experiences and art camp. 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ.

The Watershed Institute

FREE to the public. Kids can learn about conserving water and the environment through education at the Watershed Institute. 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, opened daily from dawn until dusk. Don’t miss the seasonal Butterfly House and Organic Farm. 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, NJ.

Adventure Aquarium

Want to see the smallest species of Penguins in the world? The Little Blue Penguins living at The Little Blue Beach will sure to delight. Kids can immerse themselves at the 3-D Theater, now showing Great White Shark and Turtle Vision. How about Creature Feature, see and touch sea stars, snails and more! Play your way through KidsZone at the Adventure Aquarium. 1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ.

The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey

For aviation enthusiasts, see aircrafts, helicopters, airplane models, spacecrafts, and other displays. Upcoming Open Cockpit Day Sun Oct 8th and Sat Nov 11th. Teterboro, NJ, njahof.org

Liberty Hall Museum

Experience history at Liberty Hall. Offering several educational events throughout the year. Check out their monthly Afterschool Adventures Program: held Tuesdays 4PM-5:30PM. 1003 Morris Ave, Union, NJ.

Liberty Science Center

New display Sept 2023 through May 2024: Wild Kratts' Ocean Adventure explores ocean habitats and marine animals. The Building, 2023 is where Art meets Science, this building challenges the law of gravity. It’s a NYC brick storefront with a deli and several fire escapes. A giant mirror creates an illusion. See it before the year ends.  Other exhibits at the Liberty Science Center: Infinity Climber, Wobbly World, Dino Dig Adventure, Energy Quest, and more. Jersey City, NJ.

Montclair Art Museum

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. 3 South Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ.

Monmouth Museum

Two children’s wings and two galleries with rotating exhibits. For kids at the Monmouth Museum, The Wonder Ring is for children ages 6 and younger. Sea themed, explore treehouse & lighthouse, arts & crafts. The Becker STEAM Wing brings science to life with fossils, dinosaurs, paleo lab, air & space section and more! Lincroft, NJ.

Morris Museum Smithsonian (Spark! Lab)

The Spark!Lab offers children ages 5-12 years old hands-on science learning. Use creativity to tackle engineering and design challenges. Various exhibits: Mechanical Music and Automata (self-winding dolls & figurines), Mega Model Train Gallery, Earth Science Rocks and Minerals. 6 Normandy Heights, Morristown, NJ.

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park Tours

Take a escorted tour at the Menlo Park Museum to see Thomas Edison and his work. 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. 37 Christie St, Edison, NJ.

The American Museum of Natural History

New science exhibits at the Gilder Center (Add-ons): Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium with 1,000 butterflies, and Invisible Worlds, how life on Earth is all connected. Featured shows: a space show “Worlds Beyond Earth” and “Blue Whales; Return of the Giants”. “The Secret Worlds of Elephants” exhibit opening Fall 2023. Central Park West at 79th St, New York, NY, amnh.org

Intrepid Museum Sea, Air & Space Museum

New exhibits: Postcard from Earth - greet beings that live in another world. On the Mend: Restoring Intrepid’s Sick Bay - learn about medical care onboard aircraft. The Intrepid Museum has rotating exhibitions on naval history, space exploration, and space technology. Tours available. Pier 86, W 46th St, New York City.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Drop-in programs at The Met for kids, parent child workshops, storytime, children's classes, teen activities. Please check website. 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. Add-ons: Take underground NYC Tour Subway 101 or join a Nostalgia Train Ride. 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY.

The Franklin Institute

Live science demonstrations. Explore the night sky at Fels Planetarium. Classic exhibits: Air Show, Tech Studio, SportsZone, Space, Electricity, and more! 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA, fi.edu

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