Best Museums for Kids in Major Cities: Complete Family Guide

Washington DC: The Free Museum Capital

Here's something that still surprises first-time visitors: every single Smithsonian museum is free. No tickets to buy, no "suggested donation" guilt trip at the door — just walk in. For families watching their budget, DC is hard to beat. The National Museum of Natural History alone drew over 4.4 million visitors in 2023, making it the most-visited museum in the city.

National Museum of Natural History

Kids lose their minds over the dinosaur hall and the Ocean Hall's life-size whale model. But the real gem for younger visitors is the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, where children can crawl through a model termite mound and even hold live insects. Staff feed the tarantulas several times daily, which is either thrilling or terrifying depending on your kid's personality.

National Air and Space Museum

Recently renovated with new interactive galleries, this museum lets kids get hands-on with flight simulators and space exploration exhibits. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in nearby Chantilly, Virginia, houses a space shuttle and the Enola Gay — it's worth the drive if your kids are into aviation. Both locations run family programs including Story Time sessions for younger learners.

National Museum of American History

The Star-Spangled Banner, Julia Child's kitchen, the Muppets, and full-size locomotives are here. Wegmans Wonderplace is specifically designed for babies through age 6, with a play kitchen inspired by Julia Child's and a pretend farm stand. It's one of the best toddler-friendly museum spaces in the country.

New York City: Big Ticket, Big Payoff

NYC museums aren't cheap — but they deliver. The trick is knowing which discounts to use and when to visit.

American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

The blue whale, the dinosaur fossils, the planetarium — AMNH is a classic for good reason. General admission runs about $28 for adults and $16.50 for children ages 3-12. But here's what many families don't realize: if you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, general admission is pay-what-you-wish. That's a significant deal for local families.

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

A retired aircraft carrier docked on the Hudson River, housing fighter jets, a submarine, and the space shuttle Enterprise. It's loud, it's hands-on, and kids who love anything military or mechanical won't want to leave. Admission is around $36 for adults and $26 for children 5-12 (kids under 5 free).

Brooklyn Children's Museum

The country's first children's museum, and it's still one of the best. Designed for kids under 7 with sensory-rich exhibits, water play areas, and cultural exploration zones. General admission is $13 per person.

London: Free Museums Done Right

London rivals DC for free museum access — and the quality is outstanding. Three of the city's biggest museums charge nothing for general admission, which makes them perfect for families who want to pop in for an hour without feeling like they're wasting a paid ticket.

Natural History Museum

The Hintze Hall entrance with its blue whale skeleton sets the tone immediately. Kids gravitate toward the dinosaur gallery (obviously) and the earthquake simulator in the Earth galleries. Free general admission, though special exhibitions and the ice rink (seasonal) cost extra. Pre-booked timed tickets are recommended.

Science Museum

Seven floors of interactive science and technology exhibits. The Wonderlab gallery (paid — £17 on the day, less if booked 14+ days ahead) is where the real hands-on fun happens, with over 50 interactive exhibits. The rest of the museum is free, including the flight gallery and space exploration section. IMAX screenings run £14 on the day or from £11 if booked early.

British Museum

Older kids (8+) tend to get more out of the British Museum than younger ones. The Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone are the big draws. Free family trails and activity backpacks make the visit more engaging for children — pick one up at the information desk. General admission is free.

Paris: Science and Culture for Families

Paris isn't typically the first city families think of for kid-friendly museums, but it should be. The Cité des Sciences alone could fill an entire day.

Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

This is Europe's largest science museum, and it's built with families in mind. The Cité des Enfants section has two age zones: one for ages 2-7 and another for ages 5-12 (the 5-10 zone reopened in July 2025 after a full redesign). Sessions last 90 minutes and require separate timed tickets. Standard admission runs €15 for adults and €12 for visitors under 26. Children under 2 get in free.

Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN)

The Grande Galerie de l'Évolution features a dramatic parade of taxidermied animals across multiple floors. It's visually stunning and kids respond to the sheer scale of it. The attached Jardin des Plantes offers a welcome outdoor break between museum sessions.

The Louvre: A Family Approach

Nobody should attempt the entire Louvre with kids. Just don't. Instead, pick one trail — the "Mona Lisa and Italian masterpieces" route or the Egyptian antiquities section — and plan for 90 minutes maximum. Admission is free for visitors under 18, which helps when you're paying €22 per adult. Kids over 5 who've been prepped with a treasure hunt approach tend to enjoy it most.

Chicago: Interactive Museums at Their Best

Chicago's museum scene punches above its weight. The city also runs one of the most generous free-day programs in the country — dozens of free admission days spread across major institutions throughout the year.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Formerly the Museum of Science and Industry, this is one of the largest science museums in the Western Hemisphere. Kids can explore a real U-505 German submarine, walk through a coal mine replica, and experiment in the science storms gallery. Admission is always free for Chicago teens under 18, all children under 14, active-duty military, and Illinois educators. For everyone else, regular admission applies, with frequent free days available.

Field Museum

Home to SUE, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found. The Evolving Planet exhibit traces 4 billion years of life on Earth, and Inside Ancient Egypt lets kids walk through a reconstructed Egyptian tomb. Illinois residents get free admission on Wednesdays for all general admission exhibitions.

Shedd Aquarium

Not technically a museum, but families consistently rank it alongside Chicago's top museum experiences. The beluga whale and dolphin shows are the headliners. It's pricier than the others (general admission around $42 for adults), but the multi-sensory experience keeps kids engaged longer than most traditional museums.

More Cities Worth Visiting

These five cities didn't make the main list, but each has at least one museum that's genuinely worth a family trip.

• Los Angeles: The California Science Center is free and houses the space shuttle Endeavour. The Natural History Museum of LA County has an excellent dinosaur hall and a nature garden where kids can dig for fossils.
• San Francisco: The Exploratorium is one of the best hands-on science museums anywhere. It's pricey ($35 adults, $25 kids 4-17) but deeply interactive. The California Academy of Sciences combines an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under one living roof.
• Boston: The Museum of Science sits right on the Charles River and features a live lightning show in the Theater of Electricity. The Boston Children's Museum is excellent for kids under 10.
• Philadelphia: The Franklin Institute is a top-tier science museum with a giant walk-through heart exhibit that's been thrilling kids for decades. The Please Touch Museum is designed exclusively for children 7 and under.
• Houston: Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Kids can see real spacecraft, touch a moon rock, and watch astronaut training. It's a must-visit for any space-loving family.

City-by-City Comparison

City	Top Museum	Free Options	Best Ages	Budget Rating
Washington DC	Nat'l Museum of Natural History	All Smithsonian (21 museums)	All ages	💰 Excellent
New York City	AMNH	Pay-what-you-wish (tri-state residents)	5+	💰💰💰 Expensive
London	Natural History Museum	NHM, Science Museum, British Museum	All ages	💰 Excellent
Paris	Cité des Sciences	Free under 18 at Louvre	5+	💰💰 Moderate
Chicago	Griffin MSI	Free days + free for kids under 14	6+	💰💰 Moderate

Museum Visit Tips That Actually Help

Before You Go

• Book timed entry tickets in advance — most major museums require or recommend them now, even free ones
• Pick 2-3 exhibits to focus on rather than trying to see everything. Seriously. Your kids (and your patience) will thank you
• Check the museum's website for family programs, guided tours, and special kids' events happening during your visit
• Download the museum's app if it has one — many now offer kid-friendly scavenger hunts and audio tours

During Your Visit

• Arrive within the first hour of opening. Crowds build through the day, and tired kids plus crowded galleries is a bad combination
• Pack snacks and water bottles. Museum cafeterias are overpriced and the lines can eat into your visit time
• Let your kids lead. They'll gravitate toward what interests them, and forced "educational moments" usually backfire
• Plan for a break every 45-60 minutes — find a bench, hit the gift shop briefly, or step outside if possible

Saving Money on Museum Visits

Museum costs add up fast for families. Here are strategies that actually make a difference:

• City passes: CityPASS and Go City bundles typically save 30-45% on combined admission to multiple attractions
• Free days: Chicago leads the way here, with dozens of free days across institutions. Many other cities offer similar programs — check museum websites for schedules
• Library passes: Many public libraries lend museum passes for free. Check your local library system before buying tickets
• ASTC memberships: The Association of Science and Technology Centers offers reciprocal memberships — buy one science museum membership and get free or discounted admission at 300+ participating institutions
• Memberships pay off fast: If you'll visit a museum twice in a year, a family membership usually costs less than two separate admissions