Art Adventures Across America: 50 Museums for Children to Explore

Introducing children to museums at a young age lays the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of art, culture, and learning. These institutions serve as dynamic playgrounds for young minds, sparking curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By exploring diverse collections, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities, children not only develop an understanding of artistic expression but also gain insights into history, science, and the world around them. Museum visits encourage sensory exploration, communication skills, and empathy, fostering holistic development in children. Additionally, exposure to diverse art forms and cultural perspectives promotes tolerance, open-mindedness, and appreciation for diversity. Whether marveling at masterpieces or creating their own works of art, children’s museum experiences ignite imagination, ignite curiosity, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

The following museums offer interactive exhibits, workshops, and programs specifically designed to engage children and families in art appreciation and exploration.

  1. Alabama: Birmingham Museum of Art – Birmingham
  2. Alaska: Anchorage Museum – Anchorage
  3. Arizona: Children’s Museum Tucson – Tucson
  4. Arkansas: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – Bentonville
  5. California: Children’s Creativity Museum – San Francisco
  6. Colorado: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus – Denver
  7. Connecticut: The Children’s Museum – West Hartford
  8. Delaware: Delaware Art Museum – Wilmington
  9. Florida: The Dali Museum – St. Petersburg
  10. Georgia: The High Museum of Art – Atlanta
  11. Hawaii: Honolulu Museum of Art – Honolulu
  12. Idaho: Boise Art Museum – Boise
  13. Illinois: Chicago Children’s Museum – Chicago
  14. Indiana: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Indianapolis
  15. Iowa: Figge Art Museum – Davenport
  16. Kansas: Mulvane Art Museum – Topeka
  17. Kentucky: Speed Art Museum – Louisville
  18. Louisiana: Louisiana Children’s Museum – New Orleans
  19. Maine: Portland Museum of Art – Portland
  20. Maryland: The Walters Art Museum – Baltimore
  21. Massachusetts: Boston Children’s Museum – Boston
  22. Michigan: Detroit Institute of Arts – Detroit
  23. Minnesota: Minneapolis Institute of Art – Minneapolis
  24. Mississippi: Mississippi Museum of Art – Jackson
  25. Missouri: St. Louis Art Museum – St. Louis
  26. Montana: Missoula Art Museum – Missoula
  27. Nebraska: Joslyn Art Museum – Omaha
  28. Nevada: Discovery Children’s Museum – Las Vegas
  29. New Hampshire: Currier Museum of Art – Manchester
  30. New Jersey: Newark Museum – Newark
  31. New Mexico: Albuquerque Museum – Albuquerque
  32. New York: Children’s Museum of Manhattan – New York City
  33. North Carolina: North Carolina Museum of Art – Raleigh
  34. North Dakota: Plains Art Museum – Fargo
  35. Ohio: Cincinnati Art Museum – Cincinnati
  36. Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Oklahoma City
  37. Oregon: Portland Children’s Museum – Portland
  38. Pennsylvania: Please Touch Museum – Philadelphia
  39. Rhode Island: Providence Children’s Museum – Providence
  40. South Carolina: The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Greenville
  41. South Dakota: Washington Pavilion – Sioux Falls
  42. Tennessee: Frist Art Museum – Nashville
  43. Texas: The Thinkery – Austin
  44. Utah: The Leonardo Museum – Salt Lake City
  45. Vermont: Shelburne Museum – Shelburne
  46. Virginia: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Richmond
  47. Washington: Seattle Children’s Museum – Seattle
  48. West Virginia: Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences – Charleston
  49. Wisconsin: Madison Children’s Museum – Madison
  50. Wyoming: National Museum of Wildlife Art – Jackson