Drive 45 minutes south of Indianapolis, and you’ll find Kidscommons, a great children’s museum that’s the perfect spot to play and explore when you’re in the mood for a little day trip out of town. Children can use their creativity to learn about their community at this children’s museum in downtown Columbus, Indiana.
Related Page | Indianapolis Museums: A Family-Friendly Guide to Indy’s Top Museums and Exhibits
Kidscommons Exhibits
At Kidscommons, there are two floors full of exhibits — created specifically for children — to explore. Here are some of the more popular exhibits at the museum:
ExploraHouse
Probably the most memorable exhibit in the museum, ExploraHouse, is where you will find the museum’s world-famous giant toilet, where kids can actually climb in and discover the “ins and outs” of a toilet. Kids can also learn about how lights work, visit an infrared kitchen, and climb through the chimney to the attic.
Related Article | The Ultimate Guide to Children’s Museums 2 Hours from Indianapolis
Camp Kidscommons
The newest exhibit in the museum, Camp Kidscommons, features a giant treehouse that kids can climb in, play on and explore. The outdoor-inspired exhibit will have kids exploring the treetops, crawling through underground tunnels, relaxing on hammocks, and sliding down slides.
City By Design
Did you know that the city of Columbus is known for its mid-century modern architecture? Kidscommons celebrates its architectural history through City By Design, a hands-on exhibit where kids can design their own cities and discover the innovation of architecture and urban design in Columbus.
Related Page | LET’S GO TRAVEL: Family-friendly travel destinations around Indiana, the midwest, and beyond.
Bubble-ology
In this exhibit, kids can stand inside a bubble wand as big as their body and then try various-shaped wands in a big tank of bubble solution.
Kids at Art
A large part of the museum’s bottom floor is dedicated to an art studio, where bids of all ages can experiment with recycled materials and various art media to create their own masterpieces to take home as a souvenir.
More Info
As of February 2022, Kidscommons requires you to purchase tickets before your visit to control the number of people in the museum. No walk-ins will be accepted. Visitors can purchase advance online tickets here. Check their website for discounts for active military, veterans, seniors, teachers, and large groups.
Location: Kidscommons is located at 309 Washington Street in Columbus.
Hours: Visitors purchasing online advance tickets can choose from 10 am-1 pm or 2-5 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2-5 pm on Sundays.
Website: kidscommons.org
Other things to know: Kidscommons does not allow food or drink inside exhibit spaces, however, you can leave and grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants (or pack a lunch and enjoy it outside!).
