The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Corteva Agriscience ScienceWorks “Explore the work of real scientists like hydrologists, naturalists, and geologists. See how people like engineers, farmers, and others use science process skills to ask questions and seek answers to help us in our daily lives.” Included with museum general admission.

Beyond Spaceship Earth “This immersive exhibit tells the dynamic story of space exploration from NASA’s Project Mercury program, which sent the first Americans into space, to the International Space Station (ISS). In Beyond Spaceship Earth, families can see astronaut artifacts, learn space-travel history and immerse themselves in the life of an astronaut.” Included with museum general admission.

The museum is at 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Its phone number is 317-334-4000. Hours vary by season. According to the museum’s schedule, here, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, through May 20, 2024. It will be open, with free admission, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and closed Dec. 25. The museum is scheduled to be open on the following Mondays: Jan. 1, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 25, April 1 and April 8. From May 21 to Sept. 2, it will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From Sept. 3 to Nov. 3, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on the weather, outdoor experiences will be open from March 16 to Nov. 3, 2024, during museum hours. The museum’s parking is free. It is accessible from Illinois Street. On the busiest days, staff may direct vehicles to overflow parking lots. Visitors should use the Skywalk to cross from the parking garage to the museum.

Admission is free for visitors who are younger than 2 years old. People who buy tickets at least two weeks in advance can save money. There are free and discounted days. Admission is $6 from 4 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Licensed care providers who are helping a visitor be able to come to the museum have free admission when they provide their employee badge and photo ID. More information on accessibility accommodations is here.

Science Central

Science on a Sphere “The exhibit consists of a suspended 50-pound, carbon-fiber sphere that measures six feet in diameter. The sphere is encircled by four projectors that work in tandem to create the illusion that the Earth, or one of its stellar neighbors, is hovering right before visitors’ eyes!”

Demonstration Theater “The Demonstration Theater is the viewing area for Science Central’s lineup of STEM demonstrations, which occur every day the center is open. In this space, visitors see everything from electricity and its hair-raising properties to liquid nitrogen and its subzero cool!”

The hands-on science center is at 1950 N. Clinton St. in Fort Wayne. Its phone number is 260-424-2400. During the school year, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Hours expand during spring break, summer break and winter break to meet increased demand, a staff member said Nov. 29, 2023. The center is closed for the first two weeks in September for deep cleaning and completing large projects. Visitors can check the website’s hours and admissions page or check Google to confirm current hours. During summer break, the museum will likely be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, another staff member said Nov. 30.

While all activities are currently included in the cost of general admission, the museum plans to open a planetarium in 2024, which may include special programming with an additional fee, staff said.

Tickets at the door are $12 for people ages 3 through 64, $11 for seniors and free for children who are younger than 3, according to the website. These prices are $1 less if purchased in advance, online. Other discounts are available, typically when tickets are purchased in person. Children who are at least 14 may visit the center by themselves. Four times per year, the museum offers “Disability Days,” a free program dedicated to people with developmental, intellectual and emotional disabilities. Learn more here. Parking is free in the building’s main lot, which is on the south side of the building. There is overflow parking at Lawton Park, 1900 N. Clinton St.

WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology

Hovercrafts “Design and construct your own craft. Test your creation in the wind tunnel – a vertical column of moving air. Watch your invention embark on an aerodynamic adventure.” This exhibit opened in August 2023. Entrance is included with museum admission, a staff member said Nov. 29, 2023.

SandScapes “SandScapes looks like a sandbox, with a special twist. Using AR/VR technology, different climate biomes are projected onto the sand. The visual changes based on how the sand is manipulated, creating a live and interactive experience to learn.” Included with museum admission. Entrance is included with museum admission, a staff member said Nov. 29, 2023.

The WonderLab is at 308 W. Fourth St. in Bloomington. Its phone number is 812-337-1337. It is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. In 2024, the museum’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is on Eastern Daylight Time in the summer. Masks are required on the first Tuesday of each month, and some special events and programs require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, the website said when checked Nov. 29. Street parking is available for 25 cents per 15 minutes Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nearby public garages, like 4th Street Parking Garage and Morton Street Garage, offer parking for 50 cents per hour. General admission tickets, which are available for purchase at the museum, are $14 for people who are at least 1 year old or $2 through the statewide Access Pass cultural attractions and historic sites program. It is free for babies. On the following Sundays in 2024, admission is $10: Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 3, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 8. Information about other discounts is here.