Looking to travel during the winter but hesitant about spending time in the great outdoors when it’s so cold? The winter is a perfect time to explore Maryland’s many children’s museums, which encourage young kids to engage in imaginative play and learn something new about the world around them.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum | Baltimore, MD
This popular museum offers three floors of fun, with exhibits focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), education, art, sports and pretend play. Kids can try their hand at running a restaurant, building a rocket or tackling the museum’s iconic SkyClimber.
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum | Annapolis, MD
This humble children’s museum, housed in the building of a former radio station, has a large focus on the Chesapeake Bay and its wildlife. It’s home to several cold-blooded critters, as well as a nature trail and outdoor exhibits that are worth exploring when it’s not too cold or windy. Older kids and parents can check out the exhibits on the area’s Black maritime culture and Latin American immigrant population.
theccm.org
DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum | Columbia, MD
Kids can leave their mark at DoodleHATCH, a museum where anyone can be part of its art exhibits! Attractions include a giant’s bedroom with larger-than-life furniture, an out-of-this-world space station and a “mane salon” for unicorns. Visitors will also receive a free book to take home with them.
Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Culture | Baltimore, MD
The Sankofa Children’s Museum is less focused on play and more focused on education, which makes it ideal for older children. The first children’s museum focused on African culture in the United States, it aims to make African art and culture more accessible to a young audience. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities, which can help deepen their understanding of African traditions.
Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum | Ellicott City, MD
Maintained by the Howard County Historical Society, this museum invites kids to travel back in time and learn about life in a 19th century mill town. It’s divided into four exhibits, including a Quaker schoolhouse, general store, mill and garden.
Discovery Center at Water’s Edge | Belcamp, MD
This STEM-focused museum gives children the chance to learn about and use highly advanced technology that they may not get the chance to interact with normally. In addition to an exhibit about the Chesapeake Bay, there are areas where visitors can learn about flight, construction and even virtual reality.
Save Money on Admission!
Many children’s museums throughout the country are part of the Association of Children’s Museums and offer discounts to members. Museum members are eligible to receive half-price admission for parties of up to six people.
To find museums that are part of the ACM Reciprocal Network, visit findachildrensmuseum.org/reciprocal-network.
