Indianapolis Childrens Museum: Five Levels of Fun

The Indianapolis Childrens Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. With five levels of exhibits and interactive fun for the entire family, this museum is definitely a must see for any family with children.

From the lowest entry level that houses the dinosaur experience (complete with sky dome that circles through various weather patterns including thunder storm) to the top level with the beautiful and functional full-size carousel, there is plenty to keep your kids engaged and happy...not to mention learning...along the way.

Image Credits: All images used in this lens are courtesy of Belinda342

Entry: Level 1

The best way to give you a feel for just how wonderful this place is will probably be to take you on a little tour. In a kind of odd quirk, you enter on Level 1, then proceed to the Lower Level and then up from there. Since Level 1 is the entry, we'll start there.

And what a start it is! When you walk into the museum, your very first sight of the day is a 17 foot tall Bumblebee replica. This is even before you pay your entry fee! A freebie if you will. From there the first level is basically the business operations of the museum. It houses the Welcome Center (Box Office), the Museum Store (a great place to shop!), and the food court.

Be sure to check out the museum store before you leave. Some of their items are very hard to find elsewhere.

Here There be Dinosaurs!

This is the level of dinosaurs! Or, well, the Dinosphere to be perfectly correct. This incredible dome shaped exhibit is topped with a very realistic sky that cycles through from day to evening and even throws in a thunderstorm or two! This really adds atmosphere to the dinosaur bones that you find here. Several types of dinosaur can be found here, including the T-Rex pictured.

Once you are through with dinosaurs (if ever), don't miss out the other exhibits on this level. They include All Aboard! (the museum's awesome collection of trains) and the National Geographic Treasures of the Earth. This is also the level where you'll find the planetarium and Lilly Theater. Be sure to get complimentary tickets for the shows you want to see ahead of time!

Egypt and more!

If you think the Dinosphere can't possibly be beat, you just may be wrong. (Of course everyone has their personal favorite exhibits.) Mine were on Level Two.

On this level you can take a trip to Egypt, see some incredible Lego Creations, and see some Hot Wheel collector cars--both large and small. Keep in mind that some of the exhibits are temporary ones, so be sure to check before you go as the ones listed here may have changed. But who knows? The next exhibits may even be better!

The Power of Children

This level will soon be changing, so I'll only talk about the main level 3 exhibit: The Power of Children. This display focuses on the lives and contributions of three incredible children: Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White.

As with all of the levels and exhibits in this museum, there is plenty hands-on experiences to be had here. All the better to make the memories of these great children's lives last on in the minds of our young.

The Carousel!

If you've ever been to this museum before, I'm sure you remember the carousel. This lovely piece is fully-functioning and a great way to top off a child's visit to the museum.

This level also hosts the Science Works exhibits where kids can check out science by getting their hands dirty...or wet as the case may be. There is even a Rock Wall for climbing, but certain rules apply--so if your child will want to rock climb be sure to ask at the front desk how to make that happen.

No webpage could ever do this museum justice, and mine is no exception. This just barely scratches the surface of the biggest and most popular exhibits. There are many, many others far too numerous to mention.

And on every level there are activities that will keep your child's attention and make memories that will last a lifetime. If you are ever even close to Indy--pay this place a visit. You won't regret it!

Since still pictures just couldn't do this museum justice, I've included a trio of short videos as well. Be sure to check out the Bumblebee transformation. We were lucky enough to see the show on our visit--the kids really got into it!

If you are too far from Indy to make the trip, then check out one of these great museums!

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