Looking for interactive displays, fun galleries, and plenty of educational opportunities? Washington boasts tons of museums covering a wide variety of topics. Here you’ll find a sampling for options that provide fun for all ages.

Kid-Friendly Museums in Washington

Museum of Flight, Seattle

You don’t have to be an aviation geek to enjoy spending time at the Museum of Flight. Kids can explore a collection of historic air and spacecraft, including an out-of-service Air Force One jet, WWII planes, and a full-size replica of the International Space Station’s research lab. Aspiring pilots can jump into the cockpit of a real reconnaissance plane or the mock-up of a fighter jet. Additionally, the Kid’s Flight Zone exhibit tailors the experience to children of all ages.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Bellevue

Unleash creativity through hands-on exhibits and guided activities that focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math at KidsQuest. Explore the Atrium Climber, train tables, a story tree, tot orchard, water gallery, and more.

Related: Discover more things to do with kids in Washington.

Bug & Reptile Museum, Bremerton

Get up close to creepy crawlies at the Bremerton Bug & Reptile Museum. You’ll find live bugs and reptiles on display—from tarantulas to pythons. View the giant ant farm, peek at bugs under a microscope, or don a pair of special glasses that give you bug vision.

Mobius Discovery Center, Spokane

Nurture your child’s curiosity with several hands-on exhibits at the Mobius Discovery Center. From bubbles to bottle rockets, there are plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained. Explore LAUNCH IT and discover the science behind flinging, throwing and launching, or create a masterpiece in the art studio.

Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth

Located in scenic Leavenworth, the Nutcracker Museum is a fascinating experience for all ages. Adults and kids can marvel at more than 9,000 nutcrackers crafted in more than 50 countries and made from many different materials. Kids will love the nutcrackers based on Disney characters, heroes, and more. For even more fun, roam the museum in search of specific items as part of a nutcracker scavenger hunt.

The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor

Travel to San Juan Island for a better understanding of the surrounding waters’ inhabitants at the Whale Museum. The Gallery of Whales takes on the natural history of marine mammals—particularly the area’s orcas—through exhibits, models and artifacts such as real whale skeletons.

Hands On Children’s Museum, Olympia

Not far from the Capitol Building, the Hands On Children’s Museum puts the minds of kids up to age 10 to the test with a variety of galleries that tie into the Pacific Northwest setting. Whether your child loves to build, climb, make-believe or craft, the activities here won’t disappoint.

World Kite Museum, Long Beach

The history of kites and kite flying is vast, and this museum tells the stories through one-of-a-kind exhibits and programs. The collection comprises more than 1,500 kites from 26 countries, ranging in uses from scientific experimentation to entertainment.

Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle

Let your kids learn through play at the Seattle Children’s Museum. Little ones can explore multiple hands-on exhibits as well as enjoy programming that changes throughout the year. Explore the power of air, learn about nutrition at the child-sized Market, craft a masterpiece in the Corner Workshop, discover the stories and art of Washington’s many tribal communities, and so much more.

Imagine Children’s Museum, Everett

Play is the name of the game at Imagine Children’s Museum. A new expansion will feature multiple floors with different gallery spaces. Explore ecosystems, engineering, art, the Rise and Shine Farm, and more.

Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Tacoma

Targeted to children 8 years old and under, this museum features five different playscapes to explore. Kids will use their imagination and curiosity for fort building in the Woods area, controlling the flow of a waterfall in the Water area or creating works of art in Becka’s Studio. The Pay As You Will admission makes a visit even more family-friendly.

Pacific Science Center, Seattle

Delve into innovative science-, math- and technology-related exhibits that encourage interaction at the Pacific Science Center. See how an electric motor works in the Science Playground, let little ones experiment with water at the Just for Tots stream table, or catch an IMAX movie.

Northwest Carriage Museum, Raymond

Experience the primary mode of transportation of the 19th Century through an extensive collection of horse-drawn carriages, buggies and wagons at the Northwest Carriage Museum. Other highlights include an 1890 schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and period clothing.

Railroad Depot Museum, Ritzville

Bring your train-loving kid to this museum to revisit the railroad era that was an integral part of Ritzville’s history. You’ll see a restored Northern Pacific cupola caboose, ticket office, baggage room with an original scale and other memorabilia.

The Children’s Museum of Skagit County, Burlington

Located conveniently off Interstate 5 in the Skagit Valley is the Children’s Museum of Skagit County. Kids can enjoy STEM activities, climbing structures, art and reading rooms, a train exhibit, sensory areas, a water feature, and more.