We are in the thick of summer and it’s about now that I get antsy to do something different to break up these long, hot days. We love all Cincinnati has to offer for families, and have already hit up some of our favorites like the Cincinnati Zoo and Coney Island Amusement Park, but recently we took a little drive and tried something new. After just a quick one-tank trip (thank you portable DVD players), we arrived at The Children’s Museum in Indianapolis for a fun-filled day.
DC Superheroes at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is open, and this exhibit alone is worth the drive. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a summer day (or any day of the year, really), you’ll definitely want to plan a visit ASAP!
I hadn’t been to the Children’s Museum in Indy since my own childhood, so I was just as excited as my little ones to play, explore, and learn all day. It’s pretty incredible that the largest children’s museum in the entire world is just a short drive from Cincinnati and it couldn’t be easier to access. When you decide to go, buy your tickets ahead of time (it’s cheaper that way, versus buying them the day of), and I suggest checking out their website here, so you have a rough plan of action. We only planned on spending a day at the museum (you can easily spend several), so I wanted to see what would interest my kids the most. At the top of the list and where we headed first was the brand new DC Super Heroes Exhibit that is at the museum until November 25th. More on that in a minute, but we also prioritized the Hot Wheels exhibit, Dinosphere, Beyond Spaceship Earth, ScienceWorks, the Playscape, All Aboard, and the Sports Legends Experience. And that’s not even everything! You can check out all of the exhibits here.
So back to DC Super Heroes…my kids are obsessed with super heroes right now, so I knew we had to visit the museum while this exhibit was in action. From the moment you enter the “Hall of Justice,” you’ll be thrown into a living comic book with so many interactive activities and things to do and see. Don’t forget to pick up a cape to wear and get ready to discover your own super powers. There’s a lot to do in here, but we especially loved racing The FLASH in S.T.A.R. Labs and crushing meteors on the green screen.
All of the other exhibits were just as impressive and engaging that I really can’t say we had one favorite. To give you an idea, my children are five and almost four, but truly any age can enjoy a full day of fun at the museum. Other highlights included hopping aboard a steam train and feeling like we were going for a ride, dressing up like astronauts and taking off into space, and racing hot wheels against our new friends. If you plan on taking babies or very young children, we also loved the Playscape area that includes water play, a climbing structure, and many other hands-on experiences that are great for kids under five, and even babies.
Aside from the amazing exhibits, I was very impressed with how well the museum catered to families and thought of our needs during a day of fun. We had lunch at the Museum Food Court, which had a variety of options, including healthy ones (hello, salad bar!), many snack options, and even Starbucks! I may have grabbed one for our drive home. There are restrooms all over the place, the museum is very stroller friendly, and I found it to be incredibly clean and well laid out.
With the Children’s Museum you really get many experiences in one, especially with entrance to the Sports Legends Experience included in your ticket. We headed to this area last, and could have easily spent a day at the inside exhibit and outdoor sports play areas. I recommend saving this for last, as it is typically open later than the rest of the museum. You can see all of the hours for the museum here.
Read all about the Sports Legends Experience here!
A trip to the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis will definitely be an annual tradition for our family and I can’t wait to see what my children get out of it next time. If you’re looking for a way to spend a day this summer, pack up the car and make the short drive to Indy for a super day of learning, playing, and family fun.
To plan your trip to the museum, find everything you need on their website here.
Feature image credit: Facebook/The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati (and, ahem, Kentucky!) publications and brainstorming ideas for her next children’s book! With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.