12 Best Children's Museums In Ohio, USA - Updated 2024

children's museums in ohio
Melanie
Melanie 
Updated
| 5 min read

Time spent playing with children is never wasted, and the Children’s Museums in Ohio certainly knows how to engage and interact with children through awesome play and learning experiences. The wonderful city of Ohio is located on the north-eastern edge of the Midwest region in the USA. Also known as the “Buckeye State”, Ohio is famous for its historically strong industries, cultural attractions, shopping galore, foodie haven, and lots more. It also features amazing accommodations like lakefront rentals and cabins with pool. What makes Ohio outstanding is its love for kids’ learning, thanks to the many museums dedicated to sharing knowledge from all over the world with the much-loved children. Scroll down to find a well-curated list of the best children’s museums in Ohio, USA.

1. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

BoonshoftMuseum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Uriel 1998 used under CC BY 2.0

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton is an outstanding destination for children, offering a wealth of enriching experiences that blend education with excitement. Its collection of live animals, some native to Ohio, provides a unique opportunity for kids to connect with the state’s wildlife, fostering a deeper appreciation for local ecosystems. The “Bieser Room of Wonder” is a haven for children who are eager to learn about natural history through hands-on activities and interactive displays. The museum’s observation beehive captivates young minds by allowing them to admire the intricate world of bees up close, promoting ecological awareness.

When it comes to dining, the eco-eatery not only serves a delicious selection of snacks and quick bites but also emphasizes sustainability by reducing landfill waste and utilizing compostable and recyclable materials.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Address: 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414, United States

Website: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 12 USD for kids, 15 USD for adults, 13 USD for senior citizens

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2. The Works

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology on Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Situated in Newark, The Works is a captivating and educational destination that attracts young learners. It is a hands-on science and technology centre that offers an array of engaging exhibits and activities designed to ignite children’s curiosity and passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

This interactive wonderland allows kids to delve into various scientific concepts, experiment with technology, and understand the world around them in a fun and approachable manner. The Works also features a floor dedicated to history where you can learn about the past of Ohio.

The Works

Address: 55 S 1st St, Newark, OH 43055, United States

Website: The Works

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am- 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 8 USD for kids, 12 USD for adults, 10 USD for senior citizens

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3. Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Consistently ranked among the top ten children’s museums in the USA, Duke Energy Children’s Museum features eight educational and themed play areas, plus two exclusively designed for younger, preschool children. What’s most amazing is the various special exhibits that are perfect for children and parents or teachers to discover together. These range from The Energy Zone, KidSPACE, Inside the Grin, Kids Town, Little Sprouts Farm, and many more. This magnificent children’s museum in Cincinnati is a brilliant way for children to learn about science, reading, arts, culture, history, and friendly, hands-on play.

Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Address: 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203, United States

Website: Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 14.50 USD (Adult), 13.50 USD (Senior), 10.50 USD (Ages 3 - 12), 5.50 USD (Ages 1 - 2), Free (Under 1 year & museum members)

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4. Great Lakes Science Center

Great Lakes Science Center - Joy of Museums 8
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user GordonMakryllos used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Science is the poetry of reality and the Great Lakes Science Center makes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) come alive for children. Designed with hundreds of enriching hands-on exhibits, children learn through play on a wide range of topics from bio-med-tech, biology, science phenomena, engineering, recycling, robotics, NASA and much more. Just as enriching is The Curiosity Corner where DIY science experiments and science lab workshops take place. Best of all, science camps are held on-site during holiday breaks, so children can excel as junior scientists.

Great Lakes Science Center

Address: 601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States

Website: Great Lakes Science Center

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 16.96 USD (Adult), 13.95 USD (Youth aged 2 - 12), 14.95 USD (Senior aged 65+)

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5. AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Children see magic because they look for it and the magic begins at AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children’s Museum, with more than 60 interactive exhibits in a colorful indoor play park. Ideal for children aged six months to eight years, this museum educates children in a world of discovery, curiosity and imagination, with immersive hands-on play. In fact, the spacious 8,000-square-foot (743-square-meter) facility also has a nature playscape that’s open all year during all seasons, to discover Ohio’s natural beauty. Best of all, the museum holds regular science, technology, engineering, arts and math-centered programs for all visitors.

AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum

Address: 1708 River Valley Cir S, Lancaster, OH 43130, United States

Website: AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Tue)

Price: 8 USD per person, Free (Under 1 year)

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6. COSI

Cosi
Source: Photo by Flickr user tlarrow used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Explore science and discover fun at COSI (Centre of Science and Technology), one of the top places to visit in Ohio. This brilliant science center and space museum in Ohio is perfect for all ages and scientists-to-be. Be impressed by over 300 interactive science experiences when exploring their 9 galleries across a spacious 320,000-square-foot (29,729-square-meter) facility. Wowing guests are the many world-class traveling and permanent exhibitions, engaging live shows, little kid space for little learners, and planetariums that bring the wonders of outer space to Earth. Truly credit-worthy is their award-winning educational outreach program that brings the wonders of science to students across Ohio and neighboring states.

COSI

Address: 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States

Website: COSI

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 40 USD (Adult), 35 USD (Youth aged 2 - 12)

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7. Imagination Station

Super Science
Source: Photo by Flickr user Counselman Collec... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Let your children’s imagination run wild at Imagination Station, the awesome science center in Toledo, Ohio, that is a favorite family destination. Packed with exciting exhibits and attractions, this non-profit, hands-on science museum features more than 300 exhibits for children of all ages, from toddlers to grown-ups who are still kids at heart. Highlights at this museum include simulator films, eight Learning Worlds, the Gravity Room, the High Wire Cycle and plenty more. Look out for the special activities during term breaks and live demonstrations that ignite the love for science in young minds.

Imagination Station

Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH 43604, United States

Website: Imagination Station

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 13 USD (Adult), 12 USD (Senior). 11 USD (Age 3 - 12), Free (Under 2 years)

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8. Akron Children’s Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Shake it! Make it! Ice Cream! gives your party goers the chance to experience the science and mystery of turning...

Posted by Akron Children's Museum on Sunday, September 26, 2021

The best way to make children good is to make them happy, and happiness begins at Akron Children’s Museum, which boasts 7,000 square feet (650 square meters) of space for fun. Filled to the brim with hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for bright minds aged zero to ten years of age, even parents are impressed by the interesting displays. With over 20 exhibits that educate children on science, technology, health and culture, the museum is committed to engaging and encouraging children to learn through play. Further, the play area is divided into different areas of play so kids can make-believe what they want to be. At an affordable price of 5 USD per person, this adventure is a steal for a whole day of fun.

Akron Children’s Museum

Address: 216 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308, United States

Website: Akron Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 5 USD per person, Free (under 1 year)

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9. Medina Toy And Train Museum

IGo choo-choo and woo-hoo at Medina Toy And Train Museum, the compact double-story museum that showcases various collections of train cars and railroad sets. In addition, the museum also features a wide variety of dolls and traditional toys from yesteryear that are considered vintage today. If actual scenic train rides are not an option at the moment, children can still go exploring and playing with the model cars, trains and train parts on display, where curious hands are allowed to assemble the models and touch the huge array of retro toys. This is an eye-opening experience in Ohio for model train hobbyists and children keen to learn the history behind the museum and its antique toys.

Medina Toy And Train Museum

Address: 7 Public Square, Medina, OH 44256, United States

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 3 USD

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10. Little Buckeye Children's Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Little Buckeye Children's Museum on Monday, February 7, 2022

Let little hands explore, play and learn at the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, where great young minds think alike. The non-profit museum features many hands-on, play-based exhibits and displays that develop creative and critical thinking, social skills, motor skills and problem-solving ideas in addition to parent-children interaction. With over 40 different interactive exhibits, the entire place is a stimulating and safe environment to engage in play-based learning. It’s a great destination during one of your weekend trips. In addition, there are mini-stores, a water table, the building zone and a train room to thrill both kids and parents.

Little Buckeye Children's Museum

Address: 44 W 4th St, Mansfield, OH 44902, United States

Website: Little Buckeye Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 9 USD (Age 2 & above)

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11. Ohio History Connection

Ohio History Center lobby
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kevin Payravi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

History comes alive at the Ohio History Connection where Ohio’s history from the Ice Age until the present day is chronicled in the most interactive ways, for the public. This children’s museum in Columbus, Ohio, is the headquarters of the Ohio History Connection and showcases many exhibits ranging from sports, culture, and architecture to history. Further, the centre explores life from ages past and endangered Ohio species, and it presents a well-maintained collection of restored Civil War battle flags. Not to be missed is the exhibit featuring the mastodon skeleton and the Dickens Victorian Village for a taste of Victorian heritage.

Ohio History Connection

Address: 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, United States

Website: Ohio History Connection

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 12 USD (Adult), 10 USD (Senior & student with college ID), 6 USD (Age 4 - 12), Free (Under 3 years)

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12. Children's Museum of Cleveland

Wonder Lab
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CMCleveland used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Share the wonders of creative play at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, established in 1981 and located in the midtown neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Located in a historic mansion, the museum is one massive interactive playground with well-designed spaces to learn, explore and discover new ideas through play. Here, children learn to write their own script with ready tools and sharpen their thinking skills in a variety of interactive exhibits and programs. Known as an open-ended inspirational space for the 21st-century learner, the museum features hand-on science displays, climbing stations, dedicated age-appropriate play areas, science wonder labs, open galleries, reading zones, a water lab and plenty more.

Children's Museum of Cleveland

Address: 3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, United States

Website: Children’s Museum of Cleveland

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: 12 USD per person, Free (under 1 year)

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Spark your children's curiosity

Only children believe that they are capable of everything, and this belief comes true at the many children’s museums in Ohio, which cultivate the love for learning science, technology, engineering, math and almost everything. So, bring the whole family to discover these amazing museums.

Don’t forget to check out the best RVshare rentals if you’re planning to have road trips afterward.

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Frequently asked questions about children’s museums in Ohio


  • Which children’s museums in Ohio feature interactive exhibits?

    If you would like to take your little one to some of the best kids’ museums in Ohio that feature interactive exhibits, you can consider visiting The Works, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, or AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children’s Museum.

  • Which children’s museums in Ohio are open on Sundays?

    If you are looking forward to spending quality time with the kids in one of the children’s museums over the weekend in Ohio, it’s best to visit one that stays open on Sundays. A good option is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Meet Melanie, a budding wordsmith and a full-time Trip101 writer with a penchant for weaving tales that transport readers to far-off lands. With five years of jet-setting experience as a travel...Read more

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