Whether you have a budding engineer, farmer, banker or scientist in your family, a visit to the Children’s Museum of Virginia will delight kids of all ages. The two-floor museum offers countless interactive exhibits that inspire little ones to look with their hands as well as their eyes, inviting them to touch everything as a means of exploration.
On the first floor at the busy ports of Norfolk and Portsmouth, children engage in role-play and learn how tugboats operate, how a port works and how the things they use in everyday life are imported and exported.
Move on to the sound exhibit where four families of musical instruments are displayed. Make music with the instruments or with fun found objects such as metal lids and wrenches.
Kids love to help in the grocery store. Watch them play and learn at the From Farm to Foodmartexhibit, where they can scan grocery items, operate the register and see where food comes from through various interactive activities.
Explore a simulated bank, the Lancaster antique train and toy collection and a wellness center that inspires kids to have fun while they learn about sports, hygiene and fitness. One interesting exhibit introduces kids to history, design and etiquette surrounding the U.S. flag.
Upstairs, enter the My Backyard and Beyond playscape to learn about recycling and energy consumption in everyday life. Draw, paint and sculpt at the CreARTivity space or dance, sing and act out a skit in the performance space. Don’t miss the Dr. Forces Traveling Energy Extravaganza, focused on energy and physical sciences.
The on-site Beazley Planetarium is a digital, full-dome projection theater offering several daily shows introducing kids to the wonders of the universe. Learn about constellations, climate and navigating by using the stars.
Find the Children’s Museum of Virginia south of the Elizabeth River at the center of Portsmouth. It is open Tuesday through Sunday year round and Mondays too during the summer. Pay the admission fee and ask for discounts for children. Park for free on weekends and holidays in the garage behind the museum and pay an hourly parking fee on weekdays.
