Cleveland Children's Museum, Cleveland

The Children's Museum of Cleveland (CMC) is a vibrant, interactive learning space dedicated exclusively to early childhood education. Situated in the Midtown neighborhood, CMC offers a unique, hands-on experience for children from birth through age 8, providing them with boundless opportunities to explore, imagine, and create through play-based learning. Established in 1981 by a coalition of parents, educators, and civic leaders, the museum’s mission has always been to foster a love of learning in children by offering educational programs that spark curiosity and discovery.

Originally located in Cleveland’s University Circle, CMC found its first home on Euclid Avenue in 1986, where it became a beloved institution in the city’s cultural center. However, in 2016, due to the non-renewal of its lease, CMC closed its University Circle location and purchased the historic Stager-Beckwith mansion in Midtown. After extensive renovations, the museum reopened its doors in November 2017, showcasing all new exhibits and facilities.

The museum features four permanent exhibits: Adventure City, where children can engage in imaginative play and develop social skills; Wonder Lab, which introduces basic scientific and engineering principles through interactive experiments; Arts & Parts, which nurtures artistic expression; and Making Miniatures, a display that offers a peek into the world of miniatures, inspiring creativity and storytelling. These exhibits are designed to support the development of fine and gross motor skills, social and emotional learning, and cognitive growth.

Today, CMC continues to grow and evolve, serving nearly 200,000 individuals each year through its innovative exhibits, events, and educational programs, and remaining a cherished destination for families looking to learn and grow together through the power of play.