today at the museum Closed for the day.
Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Not Your Average Children's Museum

“Museum” is in our name, but we’re so much more than that. We’re also a science center, a place for live theater, and an award-winning destination for exploring history, sports, health, pop culture, art, and more.

Where else can you touch a dinosaur bone, see a show, steer a pedal car, make art, “board” the space station, and ride a historic carousel in one visit? Only at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Founded in 1925, the museum is a nonprofit with a mission to ignite joy, wonder, and curiosity by creating powerful learning experiences for children and adults. 

These differentiators set us apart from a typical children's museum.

What Makes the Museum Unique?

Crowd in Sunburst Atrium.
Biggest and Best in the World
We offer five floors of indoor exhibits and 7.5 acres of outdoor sports experiences. Outlets such as USA Today, Time for Kids, Forbes, Tripadvisor, and Midwest Living continually sing our praises.
Staff member showing fossil to group.
Family Learning at the Forefront
Our staff are pros at involving the entire family in dozens of entertaining and immersive activities every day.
Grown-up and child touching fossil in paleontology lab.
Subject-Matter Experts
You can connect with real paleontologists, scientists, historians, artists, and archaeologists. We have two working labs, including a paleo lab where paleontologists clean, prep, research, and study fossils.
Group looking at Tyrannosaurus Rex in Dinosphere.
We Do the Legwork
Our team does the research to develop truly authentic experiences, such as those in Take Me There® and Dinosphere.
Child touching wall of hieroglyphics.
Internationally Known Partners
We work with global brands—such as Disney, National Geographic, Mattel, and Hot Wheels—to create fun and engaging experiences.
Polar bear.
Our Collection
We’re one of only three collecting children’s museums in the world and have amassed over 130,000 items, including dinosaur bones, cultural and historical artifacts, artwork, toys, and movie props, used in exhibits throughout the year.

Recognized Worldwide as One of the Best Museums

New York Times
10 Coolest Museums in the World
IMLS
National Medal of Honor Recipient
USA Today (10 Best)
#1 Best Children’s Museum
Time for Kids
World’s 50 Coolest Places
A young boy wearing bright orange safety goggles and a long-sleeved shirt uses a brush to uncover a fossil in a indoor sandbox exhibit at a museum.

Start planning your visit

Not sure where to start? You'll find everything from hours and parking to food and accessibility on our plan your visit page.
Start here
today at the museum
Closed for the day.