AHA! A Hands On Adventure Children’s Museum in Lancaster has more than 60 interactive, educational experiences for kids. (Credit: AHA!)

Akron – Akron Children’s Museum provides a place for kids and families to learn and have fun, with areas like Farm to Table, Curtain Call Theatre, Excavation Station, Jumbo Blocks, Light Up Akron and 12 more interactive exhibit areas. 51 W. State St., Akron (330) 396-6103.

Chillicothe – Mighty Children’s Museum offers exhibits and stations that promote creative development while allowing for self-directed learning for building creativity, divergent thinking, problem solving, and the ability to innovate. 21 E.. Fourth St., Chillicothe (740) 773-6444.

Cincinnati – At The Children’s Museum, discover hands-on fun for children of all ages in eight educational and themed play areas, including two specifically designed for preschool-aged children and younger. The Children’s Museum is designed for children ages 0-10, but families of all ages can explore together. Located in the Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati (513) 287-7000.

Cleveland – The Children’s Museum of Cleveland offers kids the chance to learn, explore, and play. Toddlers will love the Big Red Barn, where they can play in tunnels, climb ramps, and watch barn animal puppets. Older kids will love Splish! Splash!, an exhibit about the weather and the water cycle. Many other interactive exhibits are available for kids. 3813 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 791-7114.

Dayton – Boonshoft Museum of Discovery offers a hands-on experience for families and children to explore, including a planetarium, live animals and much more. 2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton (937) 275-5811.

Lancaster – AHA! – A Hands On Adventure Children’s Museum: Young children and families are invited to use imagination, creativity, and sense of discovery in this 8,000 square foot facility. With over 60 hands-on exhibits and activities, children from 6 months to 8 years of age can become explorers, scientists, engineers, and artists. 1708 River Valley Circle S., Lancaster (740) 653-1010.

Logan – Hocking Hills Children’s Museum is a children’s STEAM-based science museum that offers high-quality, engaging, hands-on learning experiences in creativity and discovery and serves as a year-round place of learning and fun for families. Exhibits offer opportunities for dramatic play, water/sensory discovery, art, engineering, and more. 78 W. Main St., Logan (740) 216-4013.

Mansfield – Buckeye Imagination Museum is a hands-on, play-based children’s museum with more than 30 interactive exhibits that encourage open-ended, imagination-based play. 175 W. Third St., Mansfield (419) 522-2332.

Marietta – At the Children’s Toy and Doll Museum, get a glimpse of what entertained children in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. 206 Gilman Ave., Marietta (740) 373-5900.

Newark – The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology is an interactive museum for families of all ages. Experience central Ohio’s best destination for hands-on discovery with local history, art, science, and glassblowing. Check out the first floor science labs, watch a hot glassblowing demonstration, have an immersive experience in the SciDome planetarium, and learn about local history. The Works is more than a museum, offering new hands-on opportunities to inspire creativity and learning every day. 55 S. First St., Newark (740) 349-9277.

Portsmouth – Candyland Children’s Museum offers kids three floors of hands-on fun and learning experiences where kids and their families can dream, discover and grow together. 202 Market St., Portsmouth (740) 876-8987.

Youngstown – OH WOW! – A Children’s Center for Science & Technology has a colorful, hands-on environment that encourages independent thinking through interactive STEM-based exhibits and EDUtaining programs. 15 Central Square, First Floor, Youngstown (330) 744-5914.

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