Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum

About

The Magic House began in a 1901 Victorian home in Kirkwood, Missouri in 1979 and has grown across multiple connected buildings to become one of the most visited children's museums in the Midwest. Serving more than 600,000 visitors annually, the museum offers more than 100 hands-on exhibits across science, technology, government, and the arts, all designed around the principle that children learn best through play and direct manipulation of materials. The museum's exhibits span an extraordinary range of experiences. The three-story climbing structure moves children through a physical challenge involving height, balance, and spatial reasoning. The simulated U.S. Capitol building and courtroom teach civic education through role-play—children can run for office, cast votes, and hold trials in a full-scale mock chamber. The Water Wonder room features physics demonstrations with water jets, flumes, and splash zones that teach fluid dynamics. The engineering design space lets children build structures from large foam blocks and test them for stability. The Creativity Gallery houses an art studio with regularly changing projects tied to exhibitions at major St. Louis museums, and a music studio where children explore percussion, melody, and rhythm through interactive instruments. The youngest visitors have dedicated spaces designed for babies and toddlers that emphasize sensory exploration and physical development through safe, age-appropriate environments. Free Family Nights are held the third Friday of each month from 5–8pm. Discounted $3 admission is offered after 3pm for residents of St. Louis and surrounding counties. Military families receive free admission in summer through the Blue Star Museums program.

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