Duke Energy Children’s Museum
add photosConsistently ranked in the top 10 Children's Museums in the world. Includes hands-on activities for children with special play areas for Pre-school and infants. Beat the heat and have outstanding quality time.
Accepts ACM reciprocal memberships for free admission.
8 Reviews for Duke Energy Children’s Museum
3
31 family found this helpful
"Extraordinary!"
The Duke Energy Children's Museum is far and away one of the best kids' museums I've ever been to. First of all, architecture geek parents will appreciate the amazing art deco train station in which it's located (and offer an opportunity for other museum-going as well: there's a Natural History and Science Museum and the Cincinnati History Museum in the same building, among others).
But let's get down to brass tacks. Though the museum is not huge, it's just beautifully curated and planned. The toddler/baby area, where we spent most of our time since we have a toddler, is probably the best I've seen. From sand tables to a "fishing boat," wall magnets to giant building blocks, a play castle (complete with slide) to musical bells, it's just a beautifully laid-out space with tons of simple activities to enthrall little minds. (Bonus points for a nice quiet nursing/feeding room complete with comfy chairs.)
And how about that ball room? Physics at work! And giant building blocks, a "working" (pully-powered) bulldozer/crane, interactive natural history exhibits, and a variety of playable drums.
The docents and employees are wonderful and cheerful, the bathrooms are spotless and well-stocked, even the lighting is kept at child-friendly lower levels -- no fluorescent lighting to strain their little eyes. So simple, and so wonderful. Bravo, Cincinnati!
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It's helpful0 families found this helpful
"Ridonkulously Fun!"
Ok, seriously folks. If you have kids, get there!! My kids have never tired of the ball pit (not a ball pit, grown ups. It teaches all sorts of physics about balls and although I'm sure it's been puked in, it is clean!!), make believe towns, buildable arch, hammering the city, treehouse, water area or baby area. Last time we were there, they got out the snake for us to touch. They have all sorts of activities and we are always dog tired when we leave from enjoying it so much!
0 families found this helpful
"Kid Heaven it is!"
We loved it! My one year old and I went with some friends. Around every corner there is something to do or play on. We love hands on and there is nothing he couldn't touch. He built and threw balls. Played in sand and water inside. We will return for sure.
0 families found this helpful
"Children's Museum"
Located on the first floor of Cincinnati Central Railroad Union Terminal, is this fascinating kids fantasy wonderland. Adults and children alike will find the experience educating, exciting and fun: from the kid sized neighborhood, with a post office, metro bus, diner, grocery store, home kitchen, veterinary clinic, and contruction site, to a display of original multi ethnic houses. There is an enclosed Infant Garden, with a private room for nursing, and a Toddler Farmyard, or the adventureous three storey climbing structure, with rope bridges and hollow logs. You can also find a water energy playroom, and a netted enclosure with hundreds of balls, and much more.
There are 3 other Museums and an Omnimax Theater in the building to engage visitors with different interests, and a lunch area in the main hall were you can buy your lunch or eat your own.
'10
0 families found this helpful
"A great rainy day play place"
Located in the museum complex the childrens museum offers younger children a great place to play and explore. We especially love the mini-town, with grocery store, veterinary hospital and more. The mechanical ball maze near the entrance will keep the kids busy for hours and the grown ups who are kids at heart will be hard to drag away too. This museum cateres best to the 10 and under age group - it will probably be the biggest hit with preschollers and kindergarteners.
The food court in the main plaza of the museum complex is typically priced for these kinds of attracts - more expensive than you'd like but not outrageous.
1 family found this helpful
"Must see in Cincinnati"
We visited this museum when my daughter was four years old. I was very impressed with this museum because there was so much for little ones to do. It is all about hands on activities that use imagination and provide adventures for the little ones. They have a "town" for children complete with a grocery store,diner and post-office. There is a water play area as well as a "climbing station". Too much to list - check out the website or better yet, make a stop in Cincinnati! I must admit, in my state (WV) we do not have a large children's museum so I have little to compare it to. However, I know fun when I see it and Duke Energy's Children's Museum fits this description.
2 families found this helpful
"Outstanding Indoor Fun"
Fantastic place for younger kids to use their imaginations and get hands-on action in a variety of ways. I have seen teens and adults find plenty of engaging activities to participate in as well.
Kids' Town - Kid sized neighborhood to play in. They have a grocery store complete with mini-shopping carts, pretend food, and check out station with cash registers. My kids also love the restaurant zone. They can plate up food and serve from behind a counter to waiting customers. There is a lego zone, Brio construction zone, block architecture, dump truck moving, and several other hands-on building projects.
Infant Garden and Toddler Farmyard - walled-in area for the littlest visitors provides excellent play while keeping them in an enclosed and staffed area so you won't be run ragged - this is appropriate for very young infants and older. There is a nursing area and foam mat play areas for non-walkers. The farm theme incorporates produce harvest, a play structure, large climbing vehicles, paper and crayon art, magnet play, apple picking pegs, magnetic fishing, lego table, sand table, puppet play, and ball rolling channels.
Energy Zone - high action ball room with plenty of machinery and tubing to use. Kids will see how balls interact with gears, bicycles, pulleys, lifts, air, and more.
The Woods is a three-story climbing exploration structure, great for challenging older kids although my 2 year old (27 month) son took on the hardest bits like a champ. He did find some of the climbing daunting, but I was able to talk him through and his 4 year old sister modelled some of the movement for him. I'd guess that most toddlers would need some assistance. There is normal adult access to much of the area, but be ready to squeeze through some climbing structures to get your kids. They have a side portion especially for preschoolers.
There is also a water zone complete with cannons, boat building, and waterproof shirts to help keep clothes dry. Older kids really enjoy the pulley system that allows them to fill and dump water into mechanisms that will then process the water. There are also lots of tube and joint pieces to build and direct water spouts.
There are interactive videos and computer activities throughout the entire area with multiple areas that provide excellent educational reading, tubs of manipulatives, puzzles, and other opportunites to work with kids of all ages and learning abilities.
Wonderful place to hang out with the kids and beat the heat. They have ample seating in all areas for anyone who wants to get off their feet.
Additional fees allow access to other connected museums.
0 families found this helpful
"Great interactive experience!"
If you are in or around the Cincinnati area with young Children, the museum is a great place to go. There are activities for toddlers through 7-8 year olds, and for the older kids, you can always get a multi-pass and visit the Natural History Museum or IMAX show. We are members and our son never tires of going to play at the museum!
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