Santa Fe Children's Museum

The Santa Fe Children's Museum, opened in 1985, offers fun and engaging hands-on experiences to children up to age 8. Although it was targeted to local families, traveling families with young children have embraced it, too. Their mission: to enhance the joy and sense of discovery children have while "cultivating habits of inquiry in the arts, sciences, and humanities." A 2011 expansion included 1,200 feet of additional exhibit space and a design workshop. Most exhibits are interactive, designed to encourage "cooperative play." The bubble table is the most popular with its assortment of bubble wands. One even yields child-sized bubbles. Check out the giant Whisper Dishes in the garden. Speak softly into one and the message comes in loud and clear to the person standing at the second one 60 feet away. Be sure to check out the organic gardens with working examples of solar and water catchment systems.