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It’s that time of year again—time to throw away your early morning alarm, hide your backpacks, and totally forget about homework, test-taking, and class projects.* That’s right! Spring break is here! What better way to fill your spring break free time than taking a trip to the world’s biggest (and best) children’s museum? If you’re planning to visit our five floors of indoor fun and 7.5 acres of outdoor fun, we’ve put together some tips to make your spring break visit a memorable one.
7 things you should know about spring break at The Children’s Museum:
1. Plan ahead—buy tickets early (and save)
Spring break is one of the most popular times to visit the museum. Buying your tickets in advance will ensure admission to the museum on the day you plan to visit and save you time once you arrive because you can head straight to the Entry Gates.
There’s also a financial advantage to buying your tickets early—you get the best admission price available. The admission price will not be lower than it is right now. They will, however, go up. The prices increase as your visit date approaches. Buying your tickets today will lock in the best price for your visit.
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**Planning on visiting the museum more than once during spring break?**
Membership is a real deal! Most families can visit year-round for the cost of about two visits. You get more play time—and more perks from free Carousel rides and early entry hours to 10% off at The Museum Store. Become a member today. It really is your best deal.
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2. Have your tickets or membership card ready
If you have physical tickets, please have them out and ready to scan before heading to the entry gates.
If you have digital tickets, have them pulled up on your phone before heading to the entry gates. No need to stop at the Box Office. Just head on over to the entry gates for our five floors of fun or the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experieince®.
Members do not need tickets. Please have your membership card and photo ID ready. Bypass the Box Office and begin your day of family memories!
**Pro tip**
Take a screenshot of your digital tickets or your digital membership card before entering the museum. That way, you can have them pulled up and ready to scan without delay.
3. Get outside
Our outdoor sports wonderland—the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®—is open for another legendary season. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a Hall of Famer, you’ll have a legendary time making family memories. With “my-sized” equipment, knowledgeable and encouraging Coaches, and a no fear, just fun atmosphere, the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® is fun for all ages!
4. Take advantage of these amenities
We want to make sure your visit to the world’s biggest and best children’s museum is as hassle-free as possible. These perks are available when you visit:
- Affordable food options are available in the Food Court; you’re also welcome to pack your own lunch—no open food or drinks in the exhibit areas, please
- Parking is free and is available in our parking garage or nearby surface lots—additional premium parking options include
- Premium parking spots on Levels 2 and 3 of the parking garage available Thursday–Sunday
- Valet parking Friday–Sunday—follow the signs in front of the museum
- Kid-friendly restrooms and diapering facilities are located on every level of the museum
- We’ve created a quiet and private nursing area in Playscape®
- Our Concierge Desk can be found on Level 1 and is available to answer your questions, provide recommendations, and give other assistance
- Locker, stroller and wagon rentals and complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis in our Equipment Rental area in the Welcome Center
5. Explore new exhibits and catch a show or two (or more)!
As you plan your day, you’ll want to make sure to explore these newly-opened exhibits:
In Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out learn about the important role emotions, memory, and imagination play in our everyday lives. Fun-filled interactive experiences focus on the five emotions featured in the film—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. Learn to recognize emotions and explore ways that we express and manage our own emotions.
Experience the first-ever museum exhibit featuring the four heroic ninjas-in-training—Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! In Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTM: Secrets of the SewerTM, you can leap to the rescue and learn teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving as you work your way through puzzles, mazes, and obstacles. Explore their sewer-like lair, where good guys win and bad guys lose!
During spring break, our calendar is chock-full of live performances and interactive experiences in Lilly Theater, the Sunburst Atrium, and in exhibits throughout the museum. Here's a peek at what we have in store this year:
Atrium Show: Water Clock
Come learn about our Water Clock and how it works. Details
View dates and times
Included with Admission
Atrium Show: Celebration Dance Party!
Learn some popular group dances moves and try them out with new friends! Details
View dates and times
Included with Admission
Voices of Hope: Live Theater Performances
Discover how one inspirational child served as an example of overcoming discrimination and intolerance that made a positive difference in the world today. Details
View dates and times
Included with Admission
These live performances are included with museum admission. You can find all of our daily events on our online calendar.
6. Experience beloved museum traditions
There are a few things you absolutely must do while you’re here for spring break. These traditions will make your day even more memorable:
- Wave good morning to our mascot Rex—he’ll be in the Sunburst Atrium when the doors open at 10 a.m.
- Strike a pose and snap a selfie in the Central Indiana Honda Dealers Winner’s Circle in in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®
- Go ‘round and ‘round on the historic Carousel. Rides are free for member youth and $2 for nonmember youth. Animals are limited to youth riders. Accompanying adults ride free.
- Celebrate your memorable day with an end-of-the-day parade, led by Rex
7. Visit The Museum Store
Don’t forget to stop by The Museum Store and get a souvenir to remind you of your amazing day at The Children’s Museum. If, for some reason, you didn't make it to The Museum Store, you can always shop online!
Spring Break + The Children's Musem = a lifelong memory
We know. It's spring break. We told you to forget about school stuff during spring break.* But you don't need your math books to figure out this simple equation. It's basic math. Right?
We hope these tips and tricks will help you have the most amazing experience possible at the world's biggest and best children's museum. Start planning your visit today!
*We understand that you might have been given a homework assignment to complete during spring break. In no way, shape, or form, does The Children’s Museum, its Board, staff, volunteers, or partners encourage you to actually ignore any required schoolwork during spring break.
