The Children's Museum, Bloomsburg, PA

The Children's Museum has been in existence since 1985 and caters to about five counties in the Susquehanna area. Seventeen schools benefit from the traveling exhibits that make up the interactive experiences of schoolchildren throughout the region. The not for profit museum is a corporation that enlists the help of volunteers, staff as well as the Board of Directors. The museum has been in its present location since 2002. They have been instrumental in producing the Art and Science Center. It was established in 1996.

The museum is open throughout the year Tuesday through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They are closed Sunday and Monday and every major holiday. If a group would like a special time to visit it is possible to arrange them either online or by phone. Admission to the museum is five dollars for anyone over two. The Children's Museum offers discounts to groups.

Exhibits that have interested everyone that entered the museum span many different areas. An Egyptian Tomb showed the many artifacts and artistic drawings that make up the culture of its people. An interactive exhibit on the homes of animals that live underground allows visitors to climb through tunnels.

Thaddeus Quackus Weather Station helps children understand how weather affects the planet. Through Doppler radar the exhibit allows everyone to see how it tracks upcoming storms whether they are rain, snow, sleet or hail. Learning how water cycles help to grow crops and what type of clouds people are looking at is part of this amazing exhibit.

Taking care of their bodies and teeth have been popular exhibits with the children. They learn what they should be eating and drinking and how much exercise plays a role in keeping them healthy.

During the warm weather there is a garden that has many different plants and flowers. Some have been planted to draw the attention of butterflies. Children learn about the care of plants and the insects that inhabit the garden.

Space is another frontier that the Children's Museum explores. Children get to put on a mock space suit and travel to many galaxies. They can visualize the colors of outer space that can't be seen from earth by using their eyes.

Learning the history of Pennsylvania and what role the Coal Mines played in its history is an ever-expanding exhibit. Children can travel through a coal mine and see what the iron mines did for the region. They will get to attend an old-fashioned school with desks that were hooked together and the schoolhouse that was kept warm by a wood burning stove. There is a General Store that lets kids see what types of goods were available for purchase in the "olden days''. Plays are held at the Let's Pretend area of the museum.

The Indians of the region are well represented in the long house that they can enter and they can look at a model of the village as well. The children learn about the culture and the Indians' day-to-day life.