Children's Museum of Kansas City, Kansas

The Children's Museum of Kansas City is referred to as Wonderscope. It is actually located in Shawnee, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. The museum is committed to helping children learn through play. Their exhibits will teach and test children's minds through interaction. Children ten and under will enjoy the experience the most.

Wonderscope was started in 1989 as a traveling exhibit, which has become a full fledge museum. They offer special events and outreach programs to ensure all children are able to benefit from the information provided. The exhibits at the Children's Museum are Artworks, H20H!, Healthy Kids, Lego Ocean Adventure, Raceways, and Small Wonders.

The Artworks area is a place for children to paint, draw, cut, glue, tape, and staple to create any design they wish. The materials are provided by the museum. Children can choose any of the materials to create their works. Face paint allows children to make their own faces into anything they wish. There are mirrors available to make sure they can see what designs they are creating. Lastly an indoor area called "Sand Castles'' presents a sand pit for children four years or younger to play.

H2OH! is a new exhibit, dealing with water. Both children and their parents can take part in this display by watching water flow, squirting water and splashing. Boats and ducks are supplied not only for fun but also a learning experience on what makes them float and in what direction. For example children can learn about currents through the use of the ducks and boats. Parents can help their kids construct a flowing pipe sculpture or even play in spraying streams of water. Aprons and hand dryers are available just in case visitors get a little water logged.

Learning about medical care, parenting issues, and wellness is part of the Healthy Kids exhibit. Various areas and services are explored regarding a children's hospital. Lego's are always a big hit no matter where a person is. For children the Lego Ocean Adventure is a way to learn about the sea. The underwater Lego research submarine provides the incentive children need to envision working in the underwater world. Children can see dolphins, sharks, and other sea creatures as well as create their own creatures. It is also possible to build a Lego rover based on an educational video of how scientists create theirs.

Sir Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei were both important to the principles of motion. In the Raceways exhibit children get to test gravity, learn about energy and motion with the Ski Jump, Loop the Loop, Roller Coaster, Spiral, and Energy in Motion displays. Small Wonders is the perfect place for children six months to two years of age. Children can pretend, climb, creep, crawl, and play throughout the environment.

Along with the exhibits available at Wonderscope there are places to enjoy. The Indoor Picnic Area has a mural designed by children with picnic tables and benches. Birthday parties and events can be held in this part of the museum.