Kidtropolis, USA is the most popular exhibit at the Children’s Museum Houston, and it’s no wonder. It embodies the slogan Can Your Mind Come Ut to Play? … with both fun and learning. It’s an entire little city on the first floor of the museum with a Bank of America bank, an H-E-B market, a vet clinic, and arts academy, a newsroom, and so much more.

“It’s a city for kids, by kids,” says Vice President of Public Relations Henry Yau of the exhibit for kids five and up. “There are all these little businesses around the Main Street and the kids learn financial literacy. They get a play ATM card when they enter, and they can ‘spend’ money at the businesses but when they run out, they have to get a job in order to use the ATMs for more money.”

Kidtropolis encourages kids to role-play jobs that highlight the work of city leaders, business owners, employees and citizens; earn income by working; use money in a way that models real life; and engage in trial and error to discover the importance of money management and financial planning. By taking on these roles, kids keep the city running as they participate in a sophisticated, simulated economy where they can earn and spend money on items and experiences throughout the city. Yau says kids can spend as much as four or more hours playing there.

photo by Cody Duty

And that’s only one of the many exhibits: There’s a Tot Spot for toddlers, a Power Science Lab, an EcoStation with a real garden, and even a Game Quest area with a larger-than-life board game.

But with all that activity you know the kids, and parents, are going to get hungry. That’s no problem for this world class children’s museum which has its own Fresh Café on site.

“It’s right by the entrance,” says Yau, “and serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks.” Yau eats there almost daily and says his go-to lunch is the fresh hamburger, but there are plenty of other choices from black bean tacos to salads. You can also get quick snacks like Goldfish crackers and granola bars. Most of the produce is locally sourced and made fresh daily.

One last stop before you head home should be Fiddle Sticks so you can take the museum experience home with you. The shop sells educational books, toys, puzzles, and more. Yau says he even shops there and if you have any questions the staff is great at recommendations. The main Fiddle Sticks is undergoing renovations at the moment, but they have a po-up shop. Also being remodeled is the popular Secret Spy Games but both should be open in December.

The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended Thursday hours and tickets are $19.95 with discounts for seniors and military. Do purchase tickets online and note that this is a children’s museum so all groups must include at least one child under 12.

Children’s Museum Houston
cmhouston.org
1500 Binz Street
713.522.1138

by Marene Gustin