The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is located north of downtown Indianapolis at 3000 North Meridian Street and is a key Indianapolis attraction for Indianapolis kids and anyone seeking a fun and educational family-oriented experience. It is the world’s largest children’s museum, and its 1925 opening date places it as the fourth oldest institution of its kind in the world. The current building was built in 1976 and has undergone several expansions since this initial building date.
Mrs. John N. Carey, founder of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, envisioned Indianapolis having a museum oriented towards children after a visit to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum sparked her enthusiasm for such a project. With the help of members of the community, the first location of this Indianapolis museum was born in a small carriage house just north of downtown. The original exhibits featured artifacts donated by area children representing various cultures, and helped set the tone for the museum’s current focus on social culture, which is something unique to a youth-oriented museum.
Due to rapid growth, the museum saw several different locations throughout the years, before settling at its final home on North Meridian Street. The continued addition of artifacts and the commitment to serving children of the community through outstanding programs led the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to be among the first of two dozen such museums in the nation, and the first in Indianapolis to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.
| Doing Indy video about the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis |
Currently, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis consists of five levels connected by a giant spiral ramp. This allows visitors to easily access the various floors, all while viewing the spectacular permanent installment of a four story glass sculpture, “Fireworks of Glass”, by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The sculpture is located inside the center of the giant spiral ramp, giving visitors a view from many angles as they climb.
The museum features a wide variety of artifacts and exhibits that will entertain and educate all age groups. Visitors are greeted in the lobby of the museum by the world’s largest water clock. “Passports to the World” is a two story exhibit exploring various world cultures and traditions.
One of the more popular exhibits is the life-size indoor carousel known as “Carousel Wishes and Dreams”. The carousel dates back to 1917, when it was built for a local park. It was later restored and moved to the museum for visitors to enjoy. The carousel is the museum’s largest gallery artifact and is a National Historic Landmark.
Separate from the other exhibits, “Dinosphere” offers dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages a comprehensive experience featuring several dinosaur art galleries, life-size dinosaur fossils, and an area featuring fossil digs. “Science Works”, another exhibit, allows visitors to explore natural and physical science via building activities. Children can build things such as toy boats and arches. Activities include climbing a rock wall, observing a live pond, crawling through tunnels, and experiencing various adventures that promote scientific learning. All these exhibits are in addition to the many temporary and traveling exhibits that visitors can enjoy throughout the year.
All in all, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a top Indianapolis attraction for residents and visitors of any age. Its wide range of creative and colorful exhibits attract people from miles around, and the historic building deserves a spot in Indianapolis history.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317.334.3322
Visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis online
Street View of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum
Map To The Indianapolis Children’s Museum
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