Spark Wonder in Moscow's Children’s Museums
Your guide to the most engaging spots where play meets learning and curiosity is always welcome
There are no “Do Not Touch” signs in these museums — quite the opposite! Young visitors are encouraged to explore freely (within reason, of course). Gone are the days of dull guided tours: now it’s all about interactive exhibits, creative workshops, and hands-on experiments. Learning here is exciting, engaging, and unforgettable. We’ve picked some of the best children’s museums in Moscow. Each one is an adventure in its own right, guaranteed to leave happy memories for both kids and parents.
Lego Brick Star Museum
In the basement of the Neglinnaya shopping centre in Trubnaya Square lies a true paradise for Lego fans. The Lego Brick Star Museum boasts one of the largest collections in Europe of models made from the iconic plastic bricks — from rare vintage sets to the latest releases. You’ll find miniature cars, replicas of world landmarks, scenes from famous films and books, and even whole fantasy worlds complete with thousands of tiny figures. The centrepiece is a vast three-storey Lego city built from 200,000 blocks, buzzing with toy life. It’s a wonderland that will enchant not only children but their parents too.
Address: Neglinnaya Street, 20
Experimentanium
Step into a place where science leaps off the page and into your hands. Can you build a bridge without nails? Light a bulb with your ear? Freeze your own shadow? You’ll find the answers to these and many more fascinating questions at Experimentanium. Across eight halls, learning becomes pure fun — no formulas or dry calculations, just interactive installations that make even complex laws of physics and chemistry easy to grasp. Museum staff run quick-fire guided tours and themed sessions, and there are also captivating workshops and science shows that kids will love.
Address: Leningradskiy Avenue, 80к11
Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
For today’s parents, this museum is a trip down memory lane, while their children can discover what games their mums and dads played long before the age of computers. The Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines brings together a remarkable collection of old favourites — “Sea Battle”, “Highway”, “Hunt”, “Python”, “Basketball”, “Probe”, and many others. You can play most of the machines using special coins, which are included with your ticket. You’ll also see vintage vending machines that once dispensed newspapers, postcards, notebooks, and even hot broth! There’s a room filled with classic gaming consoles, and an interactive exhibition called “Touch the Past” where visitors guess the hidden objects by feel. Before you leave, snap a retro photo in the old-fashioned photo booth and enjoy a glass of authentic Soviet lemonade from a vintage dispenser.
Address: Rozhdestvenka Street, 12/1
Moscow Planetarium
Inside are unique collections of meteorites and antique telescopes, a grand model of the Solar System, floor-sized planetary globes, and impressive mock-ups of spacecraft. Each area has its own focus: in the Urania Museum you’ll find rare artefacts, while the interactive Lunarium lets children explore space literally at their fingertips. In the Great Star Hall, sit back in a comfortable chair and journey to distant galaxies without ever leaving Earth: the huge dome, the largest in Europe, projects spectacular films about space. From May to September, the rooftop observation deck is open, featuring sundials, ancient astronomical tools, and the Great Observatory with its powerful telescope.
Address: Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Street, 5с1
Museum of Cosmonautics
Here you can see the world’s first artificial satellite, step aboard a model of the “Mir” space station, and even touch a real meteorite. One of the largest science and technology museums in the world, it houses over 100,000 exhibits telling the story of humanity’s conquest of space. You’ll find astronauts’ suits, the preserved bodies of space dogs Belka and Strelka, a model of the “Lunokhod-1” lunar rover, meteorites and much more. In the domed cinema, visitors can watch stunning films about space and astronomy, while children can join creative workshops to build rocket models with 3D pens, paint cosmic landscapes, or sew their own “zero-gravity indicators”. When it’s time for a break, stop by the cosy café Vzlyot (“Take-Off”), which offers a delicious menu including dishes for children. And before leaving, don’t forget to stand beneath the entrance dome and say your name aloud: the echo effect is one of the museum’s favourite traditions and always makes kids giggle with delight.
Address: Mira Avenue, 111
Darwin Museum
One of the largest natural-science museums in Europe, the Darwin Museum is dedicated to the theory of evolution and the diversity of life on Earth, a true centre for exploring nature with something to fascinate visitors of all ages. Its main collection contains over 400,000 items, from rare fossils and animal specimens to mineral and plant collections. The Living Exhibition showcases insects from five different orders, displayed in all stages of development — including the magical moment when a chrysalis turns into a butterfly. Interactive installations using modern technology help visitors understand evolution in a vivid, intuitive way. The museum also hosts creative workshops, educational labs, nature-themed quests, and 3D documentary screenings. Don’t miss the greenhouse, the open-air Paleo Park, and the eco-trail — and in warm weather you can even relax on the rooftop terrace.
Address: Vavilova Street, 57
Robostation
If your child dreams of befriending a robot, this is the place to go. At this science and entertainment centre at VDNH, you can dive into the world of robotics and learn what makes the machines of the future tick. Science here is approachable and fun: kids can pet robotic dogs, chat with androids from around the globe, and watch dazzling robot shows. There are also engaging workshops in robotics. The complex has a cosy café for a quick bite between experiments.
Address: Mira Avenue, 119с2
Atom Pavilion at VDNH
Think nuclear power is too complicated for children? Think again. The Atom Pavilion proves that atomic energy can be fascinating! The space is divided into five themed zones with more than 2,000 exhibits illustrating the history of the atomic industry in Russia. Kids can explore the structure of an atom, see how atomic reactors work, and even try operating them on simulators. The VR zones, interactive screens, and tactile exhibits make the experience especially immersive. There are also science shows, creative workshops, and thrilling quests that bring the subject to life.
Address: Mira Avenue, 119с19А
