Often, museums and kids don’t really go together. To really get something out of a museum visit you need time and patience, two things that children under a certain age aren’t usually prepared (or even equipped) to give. But if you add an interactive aspect to a museum, and make it colourful and inviting for kids, they’ll likely be much more willing to give you some of their attention. With that in mind, if you have kids, or you’re simply a kid at heart, we’re sharing some of the best and most fun children’s museums across Canada.
Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg’s Children’s Museum was built in 1889 and it has an interesting location. The fun-filled museum is actually housed in the oldest train repair facility in Western Canada. There are 12 permanent, hands-on galleries aimed at helping to spark kids’ creative learning. Some of these include the Engine House, where kids can learn about the parts that make a real train run; the Illusion Tunnel, filled with optical illusions; the Splash Pad, where kids can get wet and wild with water-based experiments; and Story Line, a literacy based gallery. There’s also a gallery geared just for tots, as well as weekly events.
Children’s Discovery Museum, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
At the Children’s Discovery Museum in Saskatoon, kids are encouraged to learn through play. There are several interactive exhibits to choose from, all of which offer hands-on ways to learn. These include Construction Corner filled with blocks, tools, trucks and other building necessities; The muddy Paws Veterinary Clinic, where kids can learn how to take care of (stuffed) animals; The North Woods Campsite, an interactive replica of a northern Saskatchewan campsite; The Performance Art Stage, dedicated to theatre and music; and the self-explanatory Arts and Crafts Room.
Canadian Children’s Museum, Gatineau, Quebec
The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec is also home to the vibrant Canadian Children’s Museum, a sensory overload for curious kids and a whole lot of fun for the whole family. Get a passport on your way in and stamp it as you visit the various sections of the museum that take you around the world, from an elaborate Egyptian pyramid to a replica of a Pakistani bus you can clamour on and wait for a turn in the driver’s seat. Everything here is hands-on, colourful and set up in a way that makes learning fun.
Science East, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Science East in Fredericton is home to more than 100 exhibits aimed at teaching science in a way that’s entertaining and fun – two things not always associated with science. Not only is the museum filled with unique interactive exhibits and activities, it’s housed in a former jailhouse. That’s right, the exhibits you see are incorporated into the historical building in a way that preserves it making for a truly interesting venue.
Science World, Vancouver, British Columbia
Science World at the Telus World of Science in Vancouver is another great place to bring kids who are eager to learn. Located along the shore of False Creek, the science-focused museum has been inspiring minds since 1987 with the goal of helping people discover science in a way that’s informal and approachable. This means that much of the learning is hands-on and covers a variety of topics, from the human body to puzzles and illusions. The museum is also home to the largest OMNIMAX Theatre in the world where you can catch captivating educational films.
Creative Kids Museum, Calgary, Alberta
Calgary’s Creative Kids Museum is designed for children under nine and encourages them to get creative in their learning through hands-on activities that stimulate curiosity and allow for a playful experience. Kids can create their own waterfall and discover floatation in the water play area, crawl through and climb a climbing structure, design and build their own inventions in the Maker Space, build a giant tower with wooden blocks, and rest up in the Reading Nook when it’s time for a break from all the action.
Clic! The Zone for Curious Young Minds, Montreal, Quebec
The Montreal Science Centre has an area dedicated to kids called Clic! The Zone for Curious Minds. Geared towards kids from four to seven, this area is filled with interesting things for children to play with. The colourful, activity-filled zone is highly interactive and offers kids the chance to help build a house, design a roller coaster and create forms and patterns among other educational activities.
The Johnson GEO CENTRE, St. Johns, Newfoundland
The Johnson GEO CENTRE is a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill in St. Johns and is perfect for a day of educational family fun in the area. The goal of the centre is to educate people about the importance of Newfoundland and Labrador’s geology and to generate interest and curiosity in science. There are 14 unique exhibits to explore, each one taking on a different aspect of geology in a way that’s inspiring and fun.
Discovery Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
There are a whole host of fun, hands-on learning experiences to be had for kids of all ages at the Discovery Centre in Halifax. With more than 70 permanent exhibits to choose from, it’s not hard to see why both locals and visitors are fans of this entertaining museum. Kids can build their own roller coaster, walk along a life size suspension bridge, build something cool from LEGO or Duplo bricks in The Building Centre or head to The Bubble Room to play with everyone’s favourite: Bubbles!
KidSpark at the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The Ontario Science Centre is filled with interesting, hands-on ways for kids to learn, making it a fascinating family excursion for kids of all ages. But there’s also an area dedicated just for kids. KidSpark is where kids can go to do fun things like build a roller coaster, play music in a music studio, blow giant bubbles and so much more.
Lead photo: Will Brown
