• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Traveling Dad

TravelingMom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search
  • Traveling Dad
  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin
Home » Blog » Family Vacation Destinations » Midwest Destinations » 9 Not-To-Miss Kid Friendly Missouri Museums
Only in Missouri, get sucked in at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum Photo credit: Becky Davenport / Budget TravelingMom

9 Not-To-Miss Kid Friendly Missouri Museums

July 6, 2016 //  by Becky Davenport//  5 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Dusty old artifacts and a cranky curator shushing you to be quiet are the museums of the past. Today you can visit a Missouri museum and learn about fighter pilots or slide down a mile long slide! Get wild about history at these 9 not-to-miss, kid friendly Missouri Museums that you will want to visit.

Located in St. Louis, the City Museum is 1 of 9 Not-To-Miss Kid Friendly Missouri Museums
Located in St. Louis, the City Museum is 1 of 9 Not-To-Miss Kid Friendly Missouri Museums. Photo courtesy: Becky Davenport / Budget TravelingMom

Make Learning Fun at Kid Friendly Missouri Museums

Forget about the ho-hum museums of the past. From St. Louis to Jefferson City, Missouri museums put the fun in history for all ages. Take a look at these 9 kid friendly Missouri museums that make learning fun during your Midwest family vacation.

1. City Museum

Located in St. Louis,  check out this oversized playground known as the City Museum, consisting largely of repurposed architectural and industrial objects. Be ready for a work-out at this museum, guaranteed to challenge your physical ability. Perfect for ages 2 to 102,  this museum features something for everyone – even if it is just watching the grandkids climb the giant metal jungle gym.

2. Stars and Stripes Museum

A tad on the tamer side, but wild on the history side, the Stars and Stripes Museum is dedicated to the history of the Stars and Stripes Newspaper for U.S. military. The kid-friendly museum staff gives free educational tours. Listen closely as the staff gives up all the little secrets of the newspaper  and fun military history. Perfect for ages 7 to 107, you’ll be amazed by all the military equipment and stories at this Bloomfield museum.

3. Harry S Truman Library and Museum

You could say all of Independence, Missouri, is a museum to Harry S Truman. But the Truman Library is truly dedicated to the impact that the 33rd President of the United States had on America. The museum offers an informational self-guided tour and is perfect for ages 5 to 105.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

4. Missouri State Capitol

Missouri State Capitol, 1 of 9 family friendly must-see Missouri Museums
Missouri State Capitol is a museum overflowing with state’s history, art, and information. Photo Credit: Becky Davenport / Budget TravelingMom

Maybe this is a stretch and not what you would usually consider a museum. But bear with me as the Missouri State Capitol, located in Jefferson City, IS a museum overflowing with state’s history, art, and information. Take advantage of free self-guided tours of the first floor with discovery displays perfect for all ages. The upper floors offer a self-guided or guided tour. I do suggest a guided tour, especially for older children as the tour guide shares fun facts that even a native to Missouri wouldn’t know!

5. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center

not necessarily a museum, but a center of knowledge. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is located in the tiny town of Puxico, Missouri – so it is often forgot about. The beautiful park is full of trails, wildlife, and swamp history. The newly built visitors center is a child of all ages delight. Interactive discovery stations, live snakes, and an opportunity to learn about Missouri animals you may not see every day.

6. Laura Ingalls Wilder House

Raise your hand if you were fascinated by the Little House on the Prairie books?  You’ll need to add Mansfield, Missouri to your literary travel bucket list and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum.  Located on the historic Rocky Ridge Farm, this is where she lived from 1896 until her death in 1957. Learn about what inspired the well-known Missouri writer at her living farm museum, open for tours and perfect for ages 8 to 108.

7. The Sikeston Depot

Did you know Sikeston, Missouri, is the farthest north place where cotton can be grown? Did you know that the first mechanical horse was invented in Missouri? Can you imagine what a size 34 shoe looks like? Yeah neither did I until my family visited The Sikeston Depot. The depot is free to visit and perfect for ages 5 to 105, although young kids may struggle with not touching the well-maintained artifacts.

8. Arabia Steamboat Museum

In 1856 the Steamboat Arabia sank in the Missouri River. Today, the recovered artifacts reside at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City. This museum is home to some of the most beautiful dishes and artifacts I have ever seen. The Arabia Steamboat Museum offers guided tours, perfect for ages 9 to 109, even if the little guys and gals want to touch all the pretty things.

Get sucked in at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum, 1 of 9 not to miss Missouri Museums
Only in Missouri, get sucked in at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum Photo credit: Becky Davenport / Budget TravelingMom

9. Vacuum Cleaner Museum

The museum that will get you sucked in or sucked up is the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri. Learn why vacuums have headlights, how the first vacuum was operated, and what is next in the vacuum industry. Admission to this Missouri museum is free, perfect for clean fanatics of all ages.

What’s your favorite museum in the Midwest— and why? Tell us in the comments below.

9 must see kid friendly Missouri Museums

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Midwest DestinationsTag: kid friendly museums, kid friendly museums in the Midwest, Midwest family vacation, Missouri museums

You May Also Like

  • The Clay Cooper show is one of the best kid friendly music shows in Branson Missouri
    The 5 Best Kid Friendly Music Shows in Branson, Missouri
  • How to Find a Family Friendly Hiking Destination
  • Headed to Oahu? Check out the 7 Unforgettable Experiences for Kids before you go.
    7 Unforgettable Kid-Friendly Activities in Oahu, Hawaii
  • Bridal Cave: The Family Friendly Cave in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
  • So many cool things to see and do at the kid-friendly Tallahassee Museum in Florida.
    Kid-Friendly Tallahassee Museum: Why it’s Worth the Trip
  • Kid-Friendly Natural Wonders in Central America Main
    Kid-Friendly Natural Wonders in Central America - Part 2
Becky Davenport

About Becky Davenport

BeckyDavenport began sharing her family travel stories after many of her friends called, texted, or nagged to find out where her latest adventure was. The real truth about her adventures is she has a strong dislike for sitting still, being bored, and really doesn’t like to go to the same old places everyone else goes. She says she's no nature expert even though they spend a lot of time outdoors, however, she has a firm belief that fresh air exhausts kids, getting a little dirty is good for their health, and discovering new things keeps them diversified. When Becky is not blogging, traveling, or chasing kids, she enjoys running, dancing, and photography.

View Becky's Posts

Previous Post: «Cousins' Country Inn, The Dalles, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Hotel Review: Cousins Country Inn The Dalles Oregon
Next Post: Mount Rushmore — The Must Do in South Dakota’s Black Hills Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, Black Hills,»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JacquieJacquie

    July 8, 2016 at 10:39 am

    We just visited Arabia this past week! And my middle schooler loved it because there was quite a bit of history that she learned this past year at school that was presented on the tour. We also love the WWI museum in Kansas City and want to get out to Marceline to see the Walt Disney Museum too. Putting Mingo on our list — I didn’t know about that one!

    Reply
    • BeckyBecky

      July 9, 2016 at 9:07 am

      Jacquei – if you come visit Mingo do let me know and I will give a you a list of Museums and must see in that area!

      Reply
  2. R Sue mayo

    July 8, 2016 at 11:17 am

    Becky,
    Thank you for including Stars and Stripes Museum/Library in your list of 9 Must See Kid Friendly Missouri Museums. Many of our exhibits have changed since your last visit. Please stop again when you are in this part of the state.
    Our hours are 10-4 Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri.; 10-2 Sat; Closed Tue. & Sun. Call 573-568-2055 for more information.

    Reply
  3. Christine Tibbetts, Cultural Heritage TMOMChristine Tibbetts, Cultural Heritage TMOM

    July 11, 2016 at 11:36 am

    What a fun story! Back of my closet has a few relics for the Vacuum Cleaner Museum.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Yes, Sign Me Up Now!

Free Disneyland ebook!

Trending Posts

Walt Disney World Free
2797

How to Score Free Stuff at Disney World to Save Money!

Scanning your MagicBand to access your Fastpass+ selection is simple for even the youngest guest.
1094

Everything You Need to Know About FastPass+ at Disney World

Disney pin trading tips
919

5 Helpful Tips for Pin Trading at Walt Disney World

Explore 7 California National Park Sites within 4 hours of Los Angeles. With redwood trees, tide pools, and deserts, the parks offer nature at its best.
691

7 National Parks a Road Trip Away from LA

The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is a stunning filming location for Game of Thrones.
463

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Beautiful Location of Game of Thrones

  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2019 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.