The Austin Children's Museum allows kids to play while they learn

Along with the beautiful colors and hands-on activities, what parents love most about the Austin Children's Museum is that it lets kids play while they learn.

"I love how the kids can get out there and explore and dance and sing and it's all geared towards them," said Kelly McGovern, a parent.

"It's really fun to watch kids as they serve their parents with whatever they want to eat today," said Gwen Crider, executive director of the Austin Children's Museum, about the cafe exhibit in the museum. "(The museum) really is a resource for families."

In 1983, the Austin Children's Museum was founded by a group of parents who wanted something for Austin kids and families.

"It operated for its initial years as a museum without walls," said Gwen Crider, "So they would do programming and exhibits in community centers."

The first building for the Children's Museum was a small 5,000 square foot facility on 5th street in 1987. After about 10 years, the museum outgrew that facility and the museum's board began a capital campaign that resulted in its current facilities downtown.

"Our mission...is to inspire children and the adults in their lives to experience the joy of learning through the power of constructive play," Crider said. "It's about children and adults learning together."

The museum has a combination of fixed exhibits as well as traveling and new exhibits so there's always new activities at the museum. The museum includes summer camps, family festivals and other community events.

Take a journey with us to the Austin Children Museum.

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Produced by Elena Ramirez .