Where will your family’s next spark of discovery lead you? We’ve always believed that the best road trips are measured not by miles but by moments, the laughter echoing through museum halls, the gasp of surprise when a lightbulb flickers to life under tiny, curious hands. That’s why this journey celebrates hands-on family fun, a theme that perfectly captures the spirit of interactive science centers.
At Our Changing Lives, we’ve seen how these destinations can transform an ordinary road trip into a memory-rich adventure. Each one invites kids and grown-ups alike to explore, tinker, climb, and imagine. So, pack your sense of wonder and join us as we explore ten incredible places where science and play merge into pure joy.
Scott Family Amazeum – Bentonville
The first time we stepped inside the Amazeum, we felt like we’d wandered into a daydream designed by a child. The building glows with natural light, and the sound of splashing water and delighted laughter fills the air. Kids raced by, heading toward the tinkering hub, while we paused to admire how art and science blend so naturally in every corner.
This place isn’t about looking, it’s about doing. From water exhibits and climbing structures to inventive hands-on workshops, the Amazeum encourages curiosity to run wild. It’s an ideal example of hands-on family fun, where learning sneaks in through play and laughter.
Address: 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. Hours: Typically 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Ages 2 and older: $14; children under 2: free. This stop deserves a spot on your family’s next weekend adventure, capturing the true essence of hands-on family fun.
Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago
The grand halls of the Museum of Science and Industry feel like a love letter to curiosity itself. Housed in a building from the 1893 World’s Fair, it carries the weight of history and the thrill of modern discovery. As we wandered through its vast spaces, we were drawn to the uniquely Midwestern farm exhibit and the life-size coal mine that rattled with realism.
Even more breathtaking is the submarine exhibit, where you step inside a World War II U-boat and imagine what life was like beneath the ocean’s surface. There’s a hum of human achievement here, a reminder that wonder never goes out of style.
Address: 5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60637. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Prices vary by exhibit. This is “hands-on family fun” on a grand, unforgettable scale.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science – Dallas
Rising above downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum looks like a futuristic cube dropped from the sky. Inside, however, it’s all about connection, to the Earth, to the past, and to one another. We couldn’t wait to check out the museum’s sleek design and floor-to-ceiling energy.
From sports science to paleontology, every level offers a new invitation to explore. I still smile thinking about racing virtual cheetahs and testing earthquake simulations. It’s an exhilarating reminder that learning is most powerful when it’s shared.
Address: 2201 North Field Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday. Add this to your travel list for an urban dose of hands-on family fun, Texas-style.
Science Center of Iowa – Des Moines
In downtown Des Moines, the Science Center of Iowa hums with energy. The building’s clean lines and bright spaces make you feel like you’ve stepped into a world of possibility. Inside, we built wind tunnels, tested motion sensors, and lost ourselves in a web of light and sound.
The makers’ studio was our favorite stop. Watching kids design, build, and test their own inventions reminded us that creativity is contagious. Every exhibit here invites visitors to ask, “What if?”, a question that lies at the heart of all discovery.
Address: 401 West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Adults $20, children and seniors $15. This destination embodies the joy of hands-on family fun through curiosity and connection.
Science Central – Fort Wayne
Built inside a historic power plant, Science Central is a marvel of transformation. Its industrial bones now pulse with color, laughter, and imagination. Walking through, I couldn’t help but think how perfectly it mirrors the power of discovery itself, turning raw potential into wonder.
We climbed high platforms, spun giant wheels, and explored how motion, water, and light intertwine. The building creaks and hums with history, yet it feels alive with new energy. It’s a place where every question deserves a test, and every result earns applause.
Address: 1950 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $12, children $10, seniors $10. Science Central offers a joyful reminder that hands-on family fun never goes out of style.
Science City – Kansas City
Inside Kansas City’s cavernous Union Station, Science City buzzes with excitement. It’s a playground for the curious, filled with robotics labs, optical illusions, and physics experiments that stretch the imagination. Stepping into the space, we were amazed by the vast number of exhibits laid out before us.
Around every corner, science and creativity collide. The space inspires you to touch, to test, to tinker, and in doing so, to rediscover the simple magic of learning. Parents become kids again here, laughing right alongside their little scientists.
Address: 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $16, children $14, seniors $15. This stop turns curiosity into motion and captures the joy of hands-on family fun in the heart of Kansas City.
Museum of Discovery – Little Rock
Nestled along the Arkansas River, the Museum of Discovery offers a perfect blend of science and Southern charm. We started in the Tesla Theater, where bolts of electricity danced in a mesmerizing display of power and precision. Hearing it play an actual song made my heart race.
Upstairs, a series of motion exhibits challenged us to balance, climb, and compete. We watched as kids raced wind-powered cars and built bridges strong enough to hold their weight. It’s impossible not to smile here; this is learning wrapped in laughter.
Address: 500 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $12, children and seniors $10. This museum perfectly reflects the bright spirit of hands-on family fun.
Science Museum Oklahoma – Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, curiosity fills every corner of the Science Museum Oklahoma. As soon as we entered, we were drawn toward the tornado simulation, eager to feel the rush of wind and sound. Inside, exhibits range from astronomy and engineering to art and motion.
The museum’s scale is enormous, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it feels like an open invitation to explore the world’s mysteries one experiment at a time. The outdoor gardens offer a peaceful spot to reflect after hours of discovery inside.
Address: 2020 South Museum Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73129. Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $20.95, children $15.95, seniors $17.95. It’s an expansive destination that embodies the heart of hands-on family fun for all ages.
Saint Louis Science Center – St. Louis
In the shadow of the Gateway Arch, the Saint Louis Science Center brings together innovation, architecture, and play. We spent the day exploring its exhibits, which range from dinosaurs to deep space. The planetarium, with its swirling constellations, stole the show.
What we love most is the center’s balance between education and joy. You’ll see toddlers building block towers next to teens testing flight simulators. It’s a living celebration of curiosity, bridging generations in a single joyful space.
Address: 5050 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63112. Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: Free general entry; select exhibits have additional fees. For travelers seeking hands-on family fun, this one shines as a must-see.
Exploration Place – Wichita
Wichita’s Exploration Place rests gracefully along the Arkansas River, and its curved glass exterior mirrors the water beside it. Inside, we built model airplanes, tested flight simulators, and explored how rivers carve the land. The aviation exhibit, an ode to Kansas’s flying heritage, was a favorite.
What makes this museum special is how seamlessly it connects local stories with global themes. You’ll leave feeling both informed and inspired, ready to look at the world with new eyes.
Address: 300 North McLean Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67203. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $13.50, children $10, seniors $11.50. This riverfront treasure captures everything we love about hands-on family fun.
Hands-On Family Fun
From Bentonville to Wichita, from Dallas to Des Moines, these science centers remind us that curiosity is the best souvenir of all. The exhibits may vary, but the smiles, laughter, and sparks of discovery are the same everywhere you go.
Each stop embodies the essence of hands-on family fun, where learning happens side by side and wonder fills every room. Whether your travels take you to a bustling city or a quiet Midwestern town, there’s always another discovery waiting just down the road.
We’d love to hear from you: what are your favorite science centers or discovery museums? Tell us in the comments and join the conversation. Together, we’ll keep exploring this big, beautiful world, one moment of wonder at a time.
