Kids seem to have an abundant supply of energy, especially when they’re on vacation. And although most parents cringe at the thought of their rambunctious offspring running through a museum and possibly breaking a priceless artifact, there’s a special type of museum—the children’s museum—that actually encourages this type of behavior. These interactive play places are popping up throughout the country; the good news is that many are wheelchair-accessible. Here are a few of my favorites.

Big Fun in the Gateway City
St. Louis is a great family fun town, so it comes as no surprise that it’s also home to the “granddaddy of all children’s museums,” the City Museum.

Housed in a former shoe warehouse, this four-story funhouse is built from salvaged and recycled materials. It features plenty of spaces to crawl, roll, or climb and includes lots of hands-on art and craft workstations, a working tidepool, and even a wheelchair-accessible cave. Access hasn’t been overlooked either, as the museum boasts a level entry, cement floors and elevator access to all levels.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, it's not just for kids; in fact, adults seem to have just as much (if not more) fun than their younger counterparts.

A Touch of Living History
If you’d prefer a museum with an emphasis on history, then head down to Alabama and visit the Early Works Museum and Constitution Village in Huntsville. Billed as the South’s largest hands-on history museum, Early Works offers a wide variety of interactive fun. Children can hear stories from a talking tree, play a tune on giant-sized instruments, or try building a house in the interactive architecture exhibit. There’s something to suit just about every interest, including a 45-foot wheelchair-accessible keelboat. The museum features barrier-free access to most areas, with lots of room to play.

And for a full day of fun, make plans to stop at Constitution Village, which features costumed docents who portray folks from the early 1800s. You’ll find the docents throughout the village, doing a variety of chores, from spinning wool and making baskets to tending the garden and doing the laundry the old-fashioned way. Kids are invited to watch, or even lend a hand; even though it’s a historic site, most areas of the village feature barrier-free access.

Shipwrecks and More
Finally, if your progeny is interested in maritime history, then check out the Ventura County Maritime Museum in Oxnard, California. Although not technically billed as a children’s museum, the docents are excellent with kids, and many of the young visitors are simply fascinated by the shipwreck displays. There is level access to the museum and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside.

Top off your Oxnard visit with a stop at the Gull Wings Children’s Museum, located in the downtown area. This interactive museum features barrier-free access to most of the exhibits and includes everything from a puppet theater to a rocket ship. It’s just a fun (and educational) place for kids.

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.BarrierFreeTravels.com.