The Children's Museum, Seattle454

A small-scale world awaits kids here. They can put on a play at the Bijou Theatre, explore kid-sized houses from around the world, or hike in the Pacific Northwest woods and slide down a glacier. The Cog City exhibit has enough levers, buttons, pulleys, tubes, labyrinths, and pipes to make physics fun. Babies and toddlers love the nautical-themed play area full of interesting things for little hands to grasp.

The museum is designed with a kid-pleasing sense of whimsy. Colorfully tiled bathrooms boast sinks at several levels, and little potties make the short set feel right at home. Changing exhibits offer innovative hands-on and sensory components for kids. Workshops and special events - during the holidays, the focus is on a different country's celebration every week - keep repeat visitors happy.

At the Storytelling Circle, children can enter a world of princes, castles, and dragons. It offers a great place to share a quiet moment amidst the hustle and bustle of the fun museum atmosphere, where children can curl up and read a book, snuggle in a lily pad tent, or relax on oversized pillows. Parents can check out the books in the Parent Resource Library, with topics ranging from simple parenting tips to children's cognitive development.

Birthday parties: After 90 minutes in a colorful party room, kids can run off their sugar high in the museum. The party room themes include: a Circus Room where kids can celebrate under a big top with clowns, animals, and a circus train; a Jungle Room where they can dine with elephants, giraffes, and zebras; and a Seaside room with mermaids, dolphins, and orcas.

The museum offers two party packages: The Bash includes admission for up to 30 guests, 90 minutes in a party room, a t-shirt for the birthday child, and clean-up by museum staff. The Bonanza offers all of the above for 40 guests, along with 20 paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic forks. A room-themed balloon bouquet may be added to either package. One adult must be present for every four children.

Museum Store: Well-chosen, high-quality toys, books, and art supplies make this a museum store worth visiting.