Children's Museum of Richmond

While we love the Children's Museum of Virginia, sometimes it's nice to change things up and that's what we did back in November, with a day trip to visit the Children's Museum of Richmond. We started the day with a "sunrise" visit to see Santa and decided that we'd better check out the rest of the offerings while we had the chance.

The Richmond Children's museum is a lot like our local one in Portsmouth, but with some fun differences. We loved the television studio, where we could do the weather report and practice reading the news on camera. The schoolroom was a hit with Anouk. And the carousel! With some of the most whimsical carved animals I've ever seen. We could have ridden it all day.






And then there was the art room. Oh, the art room! It was kind a paradise, I could have spent all day there even without my kids. You had boxes and bins of art supplies and big tables at which to sit and create free-form art, or else to follow one of the instruction sheets to make a craft (a picture frame, magnet, small flag).

Outside there were more offerings, with an al fresco artist's hut and sandbox, but it was raining (boo) and we didn't get to see everything there. I guess that means we'll have to go back soon!

The verdict: worth a day trip, pair with Oreo pancakes for lunch at Galaxy Hut and Maymont Park after lunch and you've got a perfect way to spend a school vacation day. Spring break ideas anyone?