To those of us that conduct research on play and games, we are often faced with a limited resource base to continue our research.
Researchers often overlook the value of play/game/and children’s museums as a valuable resource in both research and research contacts.
We’ve collected links to the world’s best museums of childhood, play and games to help you with your research needs.
If you feel we’ve missed a museum or would like to add your own, please contact us and we’ll be happy to add it to our list.
Last updated: May 18, 2013 at 18:37 pm
The Association of Children's Museums aims to strengthen all children’s museums through leadership, advocacy, professional development and service.
Austin Children's Museum creates innovative learning experiences for children and families that equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.
The Betty Brinn Children's Museum is dedicated to providing interactive exhibits and educational resources that promote the healthy development of children in their formative years.
The Boca Raton Children's Museum aims to develop creative and critical thinking skills in children through exposure to the arts and humanities integrated with history and science.
Boston Children's Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
The Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play is a multidisciplinary research repository devoted to the intellectual, social, and cultural history of play.
The mission of Brooklyn Children’s Museum is to actively engage children in educational and entertaining experiences through innovation and excellence in exhibitions, programs, and use of its collection.
The Canadian Children’s Museum aims to enrich children’s lives, broaden their cultural experiences and provide them with a creative space in which to learn about the world.
Chicago Children's Museum's mission is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect.
The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine exists to inspire discovery and imagination through exploration and play.
The Children’s Museum exists to spark kids’ creative learning and provides an interactive learning environment that nurtures the power of imagination and spirit of self-discovery.
The Children's Museum at La Habra mission is to encourage enthusiasm about learning in a hands-on environment that opens the world even to the youngest child.
The Children's Museum of Acadiana promotes learning by doing: Every child has the potential to do great things!
The Children's Museum of Alamance County encourages children to exercise their curiosity, develop their imagination, and discover their world through exploration.
The Children's Museum of Brownsville aims to introduce children to the "world of learning" through hands-on creative and interactive exhibits, workshops and events.
The Children's Museum of Green Bay aims to bring children and families together in a new kind of Town Square, where play inspires lifelong learning.
Children's Museum of History, Living History, Science & Technology (New York)
The Children's Museum of History, Living History, Science & Technology builds better brighter children through enjoyable, whole body learning experiences, educational programs and creative exhibits.
Transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning, the Children’s Museum of Houston sparks a passion for lifelong learning.
The Children's Museum of Jordan mission is to nurture curious children who love to learn.
The Children's Museum of La Crosse is a hands-on learning environment for children ages 1 to 12 years and their adult companions.
The Children's Museum of Lake Charles Louisiana offers a unique hands-on atmosphere for children and their parents to interact and have fun while learning.
The Children's Museum of Manhattan inspires children and families to learn about themselves and our culturally diverse world through interactive exhibitions and programs.
The Children's Museum of Memphis creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs.
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is a leader in family learning, project-based learning, life-long learning and offers a blend of art, science and cultural experiences
The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge mission is to provide educational programs and exhibits with an emphasis on play and hands-on learning for all ages.
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative museum experiences that inspire joy, creativity and curiosity.
The Children's Museum of Richmond exists to create innovative learning experiences for all children and those who support them that inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.
The Children's Museum of South Carolina's mission is to promote and stimulate self-discovery through interactive learning experiences, which will enhance every child's understanding of his or her global community.
The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut aims to encourage learning and spark imagination by engaging children and all families through creative and hands-on play in a safe and accessible community environment.
The Children's Museum of Tacoma's mission is to celebrate the power of play in the lifelong journey of learning.
The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley mission is to provide a child-centered, hands-on, interactive environment for learning and discovery for children.
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry mission is to spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the power of play
The Children's Museum of Virginia provides students with opportunities to experiment, explore, and learn through the wonderful world of hands-on learning.
The Children's Museum of Walla Walla inspires visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds to learn, explore, and think creatively through interactive play.
The goal of the Children's Museum of Wilmington is for all visitors to learn through informal, playful, hands-on and child-directed experiences.
The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem aims to create a compelling destination for our community to play and learn by experiencing literature, storytelling and the arts.
The Children's Museum Tucson mission is to provide fun, play-based, interactive, hands-on learning experiences for children and their families.
The Children's Museum mission is to enrich the lives of people by fostering a lifelong love of learning through enjoyable interactive programs and exhibits that bring out the imagination in every child.
The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert inspires and promotes intellectual curiosity and self expression through inventive and interactive exhibits and programs.
The Children’s Museum at Holyoke is dedicated to its mission to enhance the educational and cultural awareness of all children through the arts, the sciences, and the world around them.
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn’s mission is to positively impact a child's potential in life through play-based education.
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is dedicated to providing unique, innovative, and impactful experiences, exhibits, and education programming that will foster learning and development in all children.
The mission of the Children’s Museum of Denver is to create a community where children, newborn through 8, and their grown-ups learn through play!
The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is an interactive environment for children and their grown-ups that inspires imagination, discovery, creativity, and the love of learning.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis mission is to create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix’s mission is to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them.
The Children's Museum at Saratoga is dedicated to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination and nurtures discovery.
The mission of the Children’s Museum of Skagit County is to provide an interactive learning environment to promote, encourage and increase an understanding of the arts, science and culture.
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast mission is to offer children and families a place to explore and learn through hands-on, interactive activities.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate exists to ignite a passion for learning – empowering all children to discover their full potential.
The Computerspielemuseum has worked with the commitment to collect and preserve digital interactive culture for more than 13 years.
The Delaware Children's Museum aims to inspire children to explore, discover, and celebrate the power of their potential through interactive experiences.
The German Games Museum organizes regional, national and international activities, events and exhibitions.
The Digital Game Museum preserves, presents, and studies the history and evolution of digital games and explores the impact of games on individuals, communities, and society.
The DiMenna Children's History Museum encourages children to identify with the people whose enterprise and creativity changed the course of our history.
The Discovery Gateway Children's Museum aims to inspire children of all ages to imagine, discover, and connect with their world to make a difference.
The mission of the Duluth Children’s Museum is to spark children’s curiosity.
DuPage Children’s Museum’s mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children through self-directed, open-ended experiences.
EdVenture’s mission is to inspire children, youth, and the adults who care about them to experience the joy of learning.
The University of Waterloo maintains this virtual collection including papers about games though the collection has moved to the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Eureka! is a unique place where children aged 0 to 11 are inspired to learn all about themselves and the world around them by playing, imagining, experimenting and – above all – having fun.
The expERIEnce Children's Museum mission is to enrich the lives of children by providing an educational, creative, interactive, and safe environment where learning and fun go hand in hand.
Families First aims to strengthen the community by empowering families with parent education and learning through play.
The Flint Children's Museum aims to inspire a love for learning and awaken imagination through exploration and hands on play.
The Fort Worth Children’s Museum is dedicated to lifelong learning anchored by its rich collections.
The Game Museum Amsterdam goal is a permanent institution, accessible to the public that focuses on the history of games, computers, their producers.
The Glazer Children’s Museum opens up the door to playful, hands-on exploration of language arts, social science, math, science and the arts.
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing an interactive, hands-on environment that inspires learning and encourages self directed exploration.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum provide new and innovative ways for children to learn through creativity, play and exploration.
The Greensboro Children’s Museum’s mission is to provide children and families with fun, interactive, educational experiences that enrich their daily lives, contributing to their growth and development.
Habitot Children's Museum was founded by parents and educators in 1992 to meet the unique needs and interests of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a safe and appropriate community setting.
The Hands On Children’s Museum stimulates curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children, families and school groups.
The mission of Imagine Children's Museum is to make children's lives better by creating a place where they can playfully learn.
The mission of Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta is to spark imagination and inspire discovery and learning for all children through the power of play.
International Center for the History of Electronic Games (New York)
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games collects, studies, and interprets video games, other electronic games.
The mission of The Iowa Children's Museum is to inspire every child to imagine, create, discover, and explore through the power of play.
Kidspace aims to promote education and enrich the lives of children, families, and the community through interactive experiences in science, art, and the humanities.
KidsQuest Children's Museum aims to create learning through the power of play and exploration that connects children to their communities and the world.
The mission of the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville is to spark the curious minds and imaginations of children and their families through dynamic exhibits, programs and activities.
Le Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer {The French Playing Card Museum} (France)
Le Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer specializes on the topic of playing cards.
The mission of Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is to provide a vibrant and engaging experience where children actively participate in playful learning experiences.
The Lincoln Children's Museum invites children to create, discover, and learn through the power of play.
The mission of the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum is to create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.
The London Children's Museum aims to foster a community of innovation where children can learn, connect and grow through play.
Long Island Children's Museum invites visitors of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to explore freely, discover their passions, and appreciate the communities and world we share.
The Louisiana Children’s Museum promotes hands-on participatory learning for children of all ages.
Madison Children’s Museum connects children with their families, their communities, and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play.
The McKenna Children's Museum is a collection of educational exhibits designed to stimulate learning and encourage imagination.
Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential.
Minnesota Children's Museum is dedicated to providing children with a fun, hands-on and stimulating environment to explore and discover.
MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum of Toys (Singapore)
MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum of Toys aims to reach out to the child in every one of us, giving visitors an emotional link to their childhood.
The Mississippi Children’s Museum goal is to provide an educational experience that ignites and inspires a thirst for discovery, knowledge and learning in all children.
The Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum nurtures the natural curiosity of all children and the adults in their lives and encourages shared discovery through exhibits and programs that inspire exploration.
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment is dedicated to activities that engage participants with all forms of digital art and entertainment.
The National Children’s Museum is a cultural and educational institution serving children and families onsite and through national partners and programs.
The National Museum of Play is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to play.
The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period.
The New Children's Museum empowers children to think, play and create through participatory exhibitions, art-making activities, artistic performances, and educational opportunities.
The New Children's Museum aims to provide opportunities for persons of all ages to increase their understanding and appreciation of nature, science, and technology.
The North Platte Area Children’s Museum is dedicated to serving the needs of children, families, and schools as a center of learning and discovery.
The Nuremberg Toy Museum comprehensive and exceptionally high quality collection spans the time from antiquity to the present day.
The mission of Omaha Children’s Museum is to engage the imagination and create excitement about learning.
Pollocks Toy Museum is an exhibition of toy theatres, teddy bears, wax and china dolls, board games, optical toys, folk toys, nursery furniture, mechanical toys and doll’s houses.
The mission of Portland Children’s Museum is to inspire imagination, creativity and the wonder of learning in children and adults by inviting moments of shared discovery.
The mission of Providence Children's Museum is to inspire and celebrate learning through active play and exploration.
The Sacramento Children’s Museum aims to spark a passion for life-long learning.
Through joyful learning and discovery, the San Antonio Children's Museum grows minds, connects families and transforms communities.
The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum inspires learning through play within a rich environment of interactive exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences and humanities.
The mission of Santa Fe Children’s Museum is to inspire a lifelong passion for learning by creating educational experiences across the arts, sciences, and cultures.
The Savannah Children's Museum provides a creative and interactive environment, encouraging learning through play.
The Seattle Children's Museum's mission is to bring to life the joy of discovery for children and their families through fun, creative, hands-on exploration of the world around them.
Spielkartenmuseum is home to Europe's largest collection of playing cards.
The Staten Island Children's Museum appeals to the intrepid explorer in every child.
The aim of the Swiss Museum of Games is to promote the culture of play as an element of human cultural heritage.
The Building for Kids Children’s Museum believes in building imagination, creativity, and confidence in our community’s youth, from crawlers through age 7.
The Magic House engages children in hands-on learning experiences encouraging experimentation, creativity and the development of problem solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.
The Museum aims to scan the globe for fresh cultural content and use it to stage experiences that stimulate transformative connections for audiences.
The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play.
The Woodlands Children's Museum aims to create opportunities that educate, empower and excite children and their families through play while inspiring a life long sense of wonder and discovery.
The Toy Museum of New York mission is to educate the public on the importance of dolls and toys in our culture, history and art.
The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum mission is to engage youth and families to discover through interactive exhibits and learning opportunities.
Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green (United Kingdom)
The V&A Museum of Childhood exhibitions and displays explore a broad range of subjects relating to childhood, from design, photography and fashion, to play and social issues.
Video Game History Museum mission is focused on archiving and preserving the stories of how the industry evolved as well as honoring and documenting the contributions of the people that made it possible.
The Video Game Museum is a virtual video game database with an extensive collection of screenshots from title screens, general gameplay and game endings.
VIGAMUS is the one and only Italian Videogame Museum. A modern structure inside which visitors can learn the history of videogames and discover the evolution of a form of art.
The Zimmer Children’s Museum is dedicated to teaching people about the BIG IDEAS of global citizenship, community responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.
Play comes first at ZOOM making learning an individual process enhancing childrens creativity.
Last updated: May 18, 2013 at 18:37 pm
A TesolGame Quote
Life is playfulness… we need to play so that we can rediscover the magical around us.
Word of the Day
condescension
Word Form | noun |
Definition | A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient. |
Synonyms | disdain, patronage |
Usage | Natasha did not like the visitor"s tone of condescension to childish things. |
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