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Start by identifying what your family loved about the museum—hands-on activities, a favorite subject, indoor play, an affordable outing, or simply a familiar place to spend time together. Then look for a nearby destination that offers that same experience. Check the venue’s official information for its current hours, admission, reservations, accessibility, and other visit details before you go.
Choose a replacement for the experience you miss
A new destination does not need to call itself a museum. Match the feature your family valued to a place that can provide it:
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- Hands-on learning: Look for science centers, interactive exhibits, or educational programs.
- Animals: Consider a zoo, aquarium, farm, or nature program.
- Art, history, or a particular subject: Search for another museum, a cultural center, or a local event focused on that interest.
- Outdoor discovery: Try a park, botanical garden, or environmental education program.
- Indoor time or a low-cost routine: Check library events, recreation centers, and municipal activities.
Families in different places will find different options. Philadelphia’s visitor guide, for example, includes science museums, zoos, play areas, green spaces, environmental education, and farms; London’s culture page directs residents to museums, parks, libraries, and events. These are examples of local discovery resources, not itineraries for other cities. Explore Visit Philadelphia’s family activities or, for London residents, London’s museums and galleries resource.
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Find local options through official calendars and directories
Start with city and library resources
Search your municipal website for family activities, recreation, gardens, farms, and free events. Check library calendars for programs and ask whether local library cards provide access to attraction passes. New York City’s family activities page, for instance, points visitors to Culture Pass through participating libraries. That program is a local example; availability and terms differ elsewhere. See New York City’s family activity resources.
#1 Best Overall
- GAME OF SWEET REVENGE: Enjoy classic Sorry! gameplay with this Sorry! board game for kids. It's an edge-of-your-seat race to home, so hurry up and get there first
- FIRST ONE HOME WINS: Who will be the first player to get all 3 of their pawns to the home space? But watch out! Players can get "sweet revenge" by sending each other's pawns back to the starting point
- SO MANY POSSIBILITIES: Slide, collide, and score to win the Sorry! game. This family game for kids and adults features so many possibilities depending on the card picked up and strategy chosen
- CLASSIC SORRY! GAMEPLAY: Remember playing the original Sorry! game as a kid? Bring back memories of playing the Sorry! game with family members and introduce it to a new generation
- FAMILY GAME NIGHT FAVORITE: A go-to game for family time or anytime indoor fun, the Sorry! game for kids is one of the best family games for game night
Use venue directories as a shortlist, then verify directly
Directories can help you spot different kinds of destinations. The Smithsonian’s official listings cover museums, a zoo, gardens, and other venues; admission, hours, and ticket or pass requirements differ by location. Its admission arrangements should not be assumed to apply to other institutions. Browse Smithsonian museums and visit information.
Seasonal lists can also help with discovery. The National Endowment for the Arts’ 2026 Blue Star Museums map identifies participating organizations, but participation is seasonal. The NEA advises visitors to check each organization’s own website for current hours and operating status. Check the Blue Star Museums program.
Rank #2
- CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing Candy Land when you were a kid. Introduce new generations to this sweet kids' board game
- RACE TO THE CASTLE: Players encounter all kinds of "delicious" surprises as they move their cute gingerbread man pawn around the path in a race to the castle
- NO READING REQUIRED TO PLAY: For kids ages 3 and up, Candy Land can be a great game for kids who haven't learned how to read yet
- GREAT GAME FOR LITTLE ONES: The Candy Land board game features colored cards, sweet destinations, and fun illustrations that kids love
Compare the practical details before choosing
When you have two or more plausible outings, compare them against the needs of your family rather than choosing by name alone:
- Experience: Will children be able to explore, play, observe animals, or join an event?
- Travel and time: How far is it, and how long will the outing realistically take?
- Total cost: Include admission, transit or parking, and any optional activities.
- Age and access fit: Check whether the activities suit the children’s ages and whether the venue can meet your family’s accessibility needs.
- Booking: Find out whether timed tickets, advance reservations, or passes are required.
- Current status: Confirm that the venue is open on your planned date and review any current visitor rules.
Admission policies can vary even within one city. New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs notes that rules may depend on the visitor, residency, age, day, or special exhibition, and recommends confirming with the venue. Review New York City’s cultural admission information.
Rank #3
- FUN FAMILY GAME FOR KIDS: Remember playing the original Trouble board game as a kid? Introduce a new generation to classic Trouble gameplay with this Trouble game for kids
- EASY TO LEARN AND SET UP: The Trouble game is easy to play and quick set up. The object of the game is simple: the first player to get all of their game pieces around the board wins
- POWER UP SPACES: The game instructions include options for classic Trouble gameplay or a version with Power Up Spaces for a more challenging game
- POP-O-MATIC BUBBLE: In this beloved children's board game, players press and pop the plastic bubble to roll the die. The iconic Pop-o-Matic die roller is fun to press, and it keeps the die from getting lost
- BOARD GAMES FOR FAMILY: Adults and kids can play this family board game together. It's a fun indoor game for playdates and a great choice for Family Game Night
Look for free and reduced-cost ways to keep outings in the routine
Begin with no-admission options
Local parks and gardens, library events, and municipal activities can provide a regular outing without relying on a paid attraction. Check the relevant official calendars for schedules, access details, and any registration requirements.
Check eligibility for reduced admission
Museums for All says participating institutions offer admission ranging from free to $5 to visitors who present an EBT card, subject to program terms. Participation and eligibility are not universal, so verify both with the program and the venue before making plans. Find Museums for All information.
Rank #4
- INTRODUCING A DIGITAL DIE: More suspense, more surprises, more laughs! In this Jenga game, enjoy the classic Jenga gameplay fans love—or dare to play it with the digital die for added challenges
- 6 MORE WAYS TO PLAY: Roll the digital die for unpredictable challenges: play using thumbs only, race against the clock, and more! (To download the die onto a phone, scan the in-pack QR code or access the web app. No additional purchase needed)
- HILARIOUS CHALLENGES: Actions like “Team-Up” amp up the fun! A player who rolls it selects another player to act as their eyes. The other player can guide their arm, but can’t touch the tower—or topple it
- EXCITING GAME FOR PARTIES OR SOLO PLAY: The Jenga game for kids and adults is the wooden block balancing game livening up parties for generations. No friends around? No problem. Play solo to beat a personal best
- GENUINE WOOD BLOCKS: The Jenga party game includes 54 precision crafted wooden blocks. Pull out a block, place it on top, but don't let the tower fall in this original wood block game
Compare membership only if you expect repeat visits
A membership may suit a family that plans to return, but value depends on how often you visit and on the particular membership’s benefits. For example, the Museum of Life and Science describes its own admission, event, store, and reciprocal-discount benefits. Treat that as an example of one institution’s terms, not a promise that benefits transfer to other venues. Review the Museum of Life and Science membership details.
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Keep one small ritual from the old visit—such as choosing a topic together, bringing a snack, or letting each child pick something to investigate. At a park or garden, you could turn the visit into a simple observation challenge: find different leaf shapes, notice insects from a respectful distance, or sketch something you see. The Smithsonian visitor center describes touchless scavenger hunts families can enjoy together. A notebook or nature journal is optional; the activity does not require special equipment. See Smithsonian visitor center activities.
Best Value
- WHO’S GOT THE MOVES: Classic Twister gameplay challenges players to place their hands and feet on red
- GIVE THE SPINNER A WHIRL: See where it lands and make a move. Right foot red, off to a good start. Left foot green, you’ve got this. Left hand blue … wait, is that physically possible. Give it a shot
- INDOOR ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Stuck inside. The Classic Twister game is an action-packed way for kids, tweens, and teens to "get their energy out." (Parents, rejoice)
- FUN PARTY GAME TO PLAY IN TEAMS: This group game includes instructions to play in teams, along with tips for hosting a Twister tournament. Break out the mat for game night too
- TYING PLAYERS UP IN KNOTS FOR GENERATIONS: Who doesn’t remember playing this Hasbro game as a kid. The Twister game is for adults and kids age 6 and up. Families can join in the fun together
Confirm the visit before setting out
Once you have chosen a destination, check its own website or contact the venue for the details that could change your plans. Direct confirmation is especially useful for hours, operating status, admission rules, accessibility, and reservations. A discovery page can help you find possibilities, but the venue’s current information is the best place to confirm how a particular visit will work.
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