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NYC museums: best exhibits for kids

20 museum exhibits every New York City kid should see. 

By Stephanie Abrahams

20 Must See Exhibits
American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"
American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"
American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space
American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space
American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space
Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"
Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"
Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"
Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"
Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"
Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"
Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"
Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"
"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image
"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image
"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image
New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"
New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"
New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"
New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"
"ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum
"ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum
Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"
Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"
Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"
DiMenna Children's History Museum
DiMenna Children's History Museum
DiMenna Children's History Museum
DiMenna Children's History Museum
The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"
The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"
Ḵ̓umuḵwa̱mł (Chief of the Undersea mask) at Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the...
The Tukanoan headring, with Macaw feathers, oropendola feathers, toucan feathers, wood splints, plant fiber, at Museum of American Indian's exhbition...
Kootenai baby carrier, made of wood, deer hide, wool, glass beads, silk, dentalium, conch shells, at the Museum of American Indian's exhbition...
Museum of Modern Art: The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), Saint Rémy, June 1889. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 1/4" (73.7 x 92.1 cm)...
Museum of Modern Art: Gibraltar, Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), 1936. Lignum vitae, walnut, steel rods, and painted wood, 51 7/8 x 24 1/4 x...
Museum of Modern Art: I and the Village, Marc Chagall (French, born Belarus. 1887-1985), 1911. Oil on canvas, 6' 3 5/8" x 59 5/8" (192.1 x 151.4 cm)...
Museum of Modern Art: Water Lilies (Tryptic, Left Panel) Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) 1914-26. Oil on canvas, three panels, Each 6' 6 3/4" x 13'...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...
Hall of Science "Rocket Park"
Children's Museum of the Arts
Children's Museum of the Arts
Children's Museum of the Arts
Children's Museum of the Arts
Children's Museum of the Arts
Tenement Museum
Tenement Museum
Tenement Museum
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
  • American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"

    American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"

    Photograph: Denis Finnin1.AMNH01.jpgAmerican Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"2057411
  • American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"

    American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"

    1.AMNH02.jpgAmerican Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"2057432
  • American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    Photograph: AMNH/D. Finnin2.AMNHRoseCenter04.jpgAmerican Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space2057453
  • American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    Photograph: © AMNH\D. Finnin2.AMNHRoseCenter05.jpgAmerican Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space2057474
  • American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    American Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space

    Photograph: © AMNH\C. Chesek2.AMNHRoseCenter06.jpgAmerican Museum of Natural History Rose Center for Earth and Space2057495
  • Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Photograph: Vu Quang Tran3.EatSleepPlayCMOM01.jpgChildren's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"2057516
  • Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Photograph: Vu Quang Tran3.EatSleepPlayCMOM02.jpgChildren's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"2057537
  • Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Children's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"

    Photograph: Vu Quang Tran3.EatSleepPlayCMOM03.jpgChildren's Museum of Manhattan "EatSleepPlay"2057558
  • Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Photograph: Wendy Connett4.BklynChildrens02.jpgBrooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"2057579
  • Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Photograph: Wendy Connett4.BklynChildrens03.jpgBrooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"20575910
  • Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Brooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"

    Photograph: Wendy Connett4.BklynChildrens04.jpgBrooklyn Children's Museum "World Brooklyn"20576111
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    6.intrepid01.jpgIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum20576312
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    6.intrepid02.jpgIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum20576513
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    6.intrepid03.jpgIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum20576714
  • Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Photograph: Antony Morales7.TouchTunnel01.jpgLiberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"20576915
  • Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Photograph: Antony Morales7.TouchTunnel02.jpgLiberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"20577116
  • Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Liberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"

    Photograph: Antony Morales7.TouchTunnel03.JPGLiberty Science Center "Touch Tunnel"20577317
  • "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    Photograph: Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of the Moving Image74.fw.museumofthemovingimage05.jpg"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image20665718
  • "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    Photograph: Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of the Moving Image74.fw.museumofthemovingimage06.jpg"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image20665919
  • "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    "Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image

    Photograph: Brian Palmer / Museum of the Moving Image74.fw.museumofthemovingimage10.jpg"Behind the Screen" at the Museum of the Moving Image20666720
  • New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    9.NYPD01.jpgNew York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"20578121
  • New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    9.NYPD02.jpgNew York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"20578322
  • New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    9.NYPD03.jpgNew York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"20578523
  • New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    New York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"

    9.NYPD04.jpgNew York City Police Museum "Junior Officers Discvery Zone"20578724
  • "ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum

    "ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum

    10.ElectriCity01.jpg"ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum20578925
  • "ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum

    "ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum

    10.ElectriCity02.jpg"ElectriCity: Powering New York's Subways and Rails" at New York Transit Museum20579126
  • Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Photograph: Courtesy of the Queens Museum of Art11.QueensPanorama01.JPGQueens Museum of Art "Panorama"20579327
  • Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Photograph: Courtesy of the Queens Museum of Art11.QueensPanorama02.JPGQueens Museum of Art "Panorama"20579528
  • Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Queens Museum of Art "Panorama"

    Photograph: Courtesy of the Queens Museum of Art11.QueensPanorama03.JPGQueens Museum of Art "Panorama"20579729
  • DiMenna Children's History Museum

    DiMenna Children's History Museum

    Photograph: Marielle Solan12.Dimenna01.jpgDiMenna Children's History Museum20579930
  • DiMenna Children's History Museum

    DiMenna Children's History Museum

    Photograph: Marielle Solan12.Dimenna02.jpgDiMenna Children's History Museum20580131
  • DiMenna Children's History Museum

    DiMenna Children's History Museum

    Photograph: Marielle Solan12.Dimenna03.jpgDiMenna Children's History Museum20580332
  • DiMenna Children's History Museum

    DiMenna Children's History Museum

    Photograph: Marielle Solan12.Dimenna04.jpgDiMenna Children's History Museum20580533
  • The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"

    The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"

    Photograph: Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York13.mcny01.jpgThe Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"20580734
  • The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"

    The Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"

    Photograph: Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York13.mcny02.jpgThe Museum of the City of New York "Toy Collection"20580935
  • Ḵ̓umuḵwa̱mł (Chief of the Undersea mask) at Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the...

    Ḵ̓umuḵwa̱mł (Chief of the Undersea mask) at Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of American Indian"

    Photograph: Ernest Amoroso14.museumofamericanindian01.jpgḴ̓umuḵwa̱mł (Chief of the Undersea mask) at Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the...20581136
  • The Tukanoan headring, with Macaw feathers, oropendola feathers, toucan feathers, wood splints, plant fiber, at Museum of American Indian's exhbition...

    The Tukanoan headring, with Macaw feathers, oropendola feathers, toucan feathers, wood splints, plant fiber, at Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of American Indian"

    Photograph: Ernest Amoroso14.museumofamericanindian02.jpgThe Tukanoan headring, with Macaw feathers, oropendola feathers, toucan feathers, wood splints, plant fiber, at Museum of American Indian's exhbition...20581337
  • Kootenai baby carrier, made of wood, deer hide, wool, glass beads, silk, dentalium, conch shells, at the Museum of American Indian's exhbition...

    Kootenai baby carrier, made of wood, deer hide, wool, glass beads, silk, dentalium, conch shells, at the Museum of American Indian's exhbition "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of American Indian"

    Photograph: Ernest Amoroso14.museumofamericanindian03.jpgKootenai baby carrier, made of wood, deer hide, wool, glass beads, silk, dentalium, conch shells, at the Museum of American Indian's exhbition...20581538
  • Museum of Modern Art: The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), Saint Rémy, June 1889. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 1/4" (73.7 x 92.1 cm)...

    Museum of Modern Art: The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), Saint Rémy, June 1889. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 1/4" (73.7 x 92.1 cm). Acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, NY

    15.MOMA04.jpgMuseum of Modern Art: The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), Saint Rémy, June 1889. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 1/4" (73.7 x 92.1 cm)...20582339
  • Museum of Modern Art: Gibraltar, Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), 1936. Lignum vitae, walnut, steel rods, and painted wood, 51 7/8 x 24 1/4 x...

    Museum of Modern Art: Gibraltar, Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), 1936. Lignum vitae, walnut, steel rods, and painted wood, 51 7/8 x 24 1/4 x 11 3/8" (131.7 x 61.3 x 28.7 cm). Gift of the artist. © 2012 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

    Photograph: John Wronn15.MOMA01.jpgMuseum of Modern Art: Gibraltar, Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), 1936. Lignum vitae, walnut, steel rods, and painted wood, 51 7/8 x 24 1/4 x...20581740
  • Museum of Modern Art: I and the Village, Marc Chagall (French, born Belarus. 1887-1985), 1911. Oil on canvas, 6' 3 5/8" x 59 5/8" (192.1 x 151.4 cm)...

    Museum of Modern Art: I and the Village, Marc Chagall (French, born Belarus. 1887-1985), 1911. Oil on canvas, 6' 3 5/8" x 59 5/8" (192.1 x 151.4 cm). Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund. © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

    15.MOMA02.jpgMuseum of Modern Art: I and the Village, Marc Chagall (French, born Belarus. 1887-1985), 1911. Oil on canvas, 6' 3 5/8" x 59 5/8" (192.1 x 151.4 cm)...20581941
  • Museum of Modern Art: Water Lilies (Tryptic, Left Panel) Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) 1914-26. Oil on canvas, three panels, Each 6' 6 3/4" x 13'...

    Museum of Modern Art: Water Lilies (Tryptic, Left Panel) Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) 1914-26. Oil on canvas, three panels, Each 6' 6 3/4" x 13' 11 1/4" (200 x 424.8 cm), overall 6' 6 3/4" x 41' 10 3/8" (200 x 1276 cm). Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund

    15.MOMA03.jpgMuseum of Modern Art: Water Lilies (Tryptic, Left Panel) Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) 1914-26. Oil on canvas, three panels, Each 6' 6 3/4" x 13'...20582142
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.) Credit Line: Given to the United States by Egypt in 1965, awarded to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967, and installed in The Sackler Wing in 1978

    Photograph: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art16.Met01.jpgThe Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...20582543
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.) Credit Line: Given to the United States by Egypt in 1965, awarded to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967, and installed in The Sackler Wing in 1978

    Photograph: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art16.Met02.jpgThe Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Temple of Dendur, Medium: Aeolian Sandstone. Dimensions: L. from gate to rear of temple 24 m 60 cm (82 ft.)...20582744
  • Hall of Science "Rocket Park"

    Hall of Science "Rocket Park"

    Photograph: David Handschuh17.hallofscience.jpgHall of Science "Rocket Park"20582945
  • Children's Museum of the Arts

    Children's Museum of the Arts

    Photograph: Virginia Rollison18.cma01.JPGChildren's Museum of the Arts20583146
  • Children's Museum of the Arts

    Children's Museum of the Arts

    Photograph: Virginia Rollison18.cma02.JPGChildren's Museum of the Arts20583347
  • Children's Museum of the Arts

    Children's Museum of the Arts

    Photograph: Virginia Rollison18.cma03.JPGChildren's Museum of the Arts20583548
  • Children's Museum of the Arts

    Children's Museum of the Arts

    Photograph: Virginia Rollison18.cma04.JPGChildren's Museum of the Arts20583749
  • Children's Museum of the Arts

    Children's Museum of the Arts

    Photograph: Virginia Rollison18.cma05.JPGChildren's Museum of the Arts20583950
  • Tenement Museum

    Tenement Museum

    Photograph: Courtesy the Lower East Side Tenement Museum19.tenement01.jpgTenement Museum20584151
  • Tenement Museum

    Tenement Museum

    Photograph: Keiko Niwa19.tenement02.jpgTenement Museum20584352
  • Tenement Museum

    Tenement Museum

    Photograph: Battman Studios19.tenement03.jpgTenement Museum20584553
  • Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    20.ellisisland01.jpgEllis Island Immigration Museum20584754
  • Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    20.ellisisland02.jpgEllis Island Immigration Museum20584955
  • Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    20.ellisisland03.jpgEllis Island Immigration Museum20585156
  • Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    Ellis Island Immigration Museum

    20.ellisisland04.jpgEllis Island Immigration Museum20585357

American Museum of Natural History "Dinosaurs"

Photograph: Denis Finnin

New York City is home to some of the world’s best museums. But with hundreds of amazing exhibits—from dinosaurs and miniature cities to Egyptian temples and real golf courses—it can be hard to know which ones are best for kids. That's where we come in. We've checked out tons of museums around the city and picked the 20 exhibits every NYC kid should see before they hit five feet.

Click here to enter the list

 
February 2, 2012
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