The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Capturing the Imagination

Located at 30th and Meridian streets, The Children’s Museum is a local favorite and a national leader. The world’s largest, it attracts more than one million visitors annually. This popularity isn’t happenstance. Museum leaders are continually creating new experiences for kids and their families. Entertaining, interactive, hands-on exhibits are designed around the museum’s expansive artifact collection.

The Children’s Museum is more than just a place for kids; it’s a haven for families where safety, visibility, and service are paramount. Beyond serving visitors, it stands as a pillar of the community, dedicated to enriching the lives of all families, especially those in its neighborhood. Our ongoing partnership since 2003 has resulted in transformative projects like the Dinosphere® gallery and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, which have significantly increased attendance, reflecting our shared commitment to creating engaging, innovative spaces that inspire creativity and foster learning for generations to come.

Dynamic Dinos

Dinosaurs break out of the Dinosphere® gallery, an immersive archaeological lab and display of the actual bones of teenage dinosaurs from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods.

Comprised of more than 3,200 individually blown glass pieces, Fireworks of Glass by Dale Chihuly creates a colorful focal point, towering within the five-story central core ramp of the museum.

A New Gateway

The three-level Welcome Center serves as a new gateway into the museum and connects directly to the existing parking deck through an overhead bridge. The dinos breaking into the welcome center complete a circular theme with their buddies breaking out of the Dinosphere®.

Planetary Theater

As the focal point of a new exhibit called “Beyond Spaceship Earth,” the campus’ existing planetarium has been redesigned into an immersive, ultramodern theater experience. A new exterior metal skin completes the design of the Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater with whimsical, decorative “space station” features.

Outdoor Activation

The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience is the first outdoor space at the museum. Kids can run, jump, and play. The experience has expanded the museum’s appeal, creating a great reason to visit on sunny days and an attraction for older kids.