• New Jersey children's museums provide hands-on experiences.hands image by zopa from Fotolia.com
  
  Children's museums provide kids and their families an opportunity to learn new ideas and explore educational exhibits through a variety of hands-on activities, play and interactive galleries. According to the Children's Museums in New Jersey website, there are many great places in the state to choose from.
  
  

The New Jersey Children's Museum

• Located in Paramus, The New Jersey Children's Museum provides a wide range of hands-on learning galleries for children and their families to explore. According to its website, galleries include a construction zone, grocery store, pretend hospital, a virtual reality game center, a medieval castle, a special area for babies and young children, in addition to many other activities. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. While admission for children under one is free, the museum has a no-stroller policy.
  
  The New Jersey Children's Museum
  
  599 Valley Health Plaza
  
  Paramus, NJ 07652
  
  201-262-5151
  
  njcm.com
  
  

The Garden State Discovery Museum

• The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill offers a variety of hands-on exhibits, as well as programs for groups, such as girl scout troops, birthday parties and school groups. According to its website, the museum also provides the "Museum on the Move" for groups who want to take advantage of museum presentations and experiences at a setting of their choosing. The museum is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday hours are extended until 8:30 p.m. from October to April.
  
  The Garden State Discovery Museum
  
  2040 Springdale Road
  
  Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
  
  856-424-1233
  
  discoverymuseum.com
  
  

Imagine That!!!

• Imagine That!!! in Florham Park is a 16,000-square-foot museum offering more than 50 exhibits for kids to explore, according to the museum's website. Exhibits include a pirate ship, kids' art gallery, a TV news studio, a race-car room and much more. The museum also offers birthday party and field trip programs. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., though it may close early on occasion for special events.
  
  Imagine That!!!
  
  4 Vreeland Rd.
  
  Florham Park, NJ 07932
  
  973-966-8000
  
  imaginethatmuseum.com
  
  

Community Children's Museum

• Focusing on art, science and world cultures, the Community Children's Museum in Dover provides an interactive space for children to explore, according to its website. Exhibits at the museum include homes around the world, a theater space, a recreation of John Glenn's spacecraft and an electricity exhibit, among others. The museum is open during the school year on Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Summer hours vary, and the museum's website suggests calling for accurate hours during the summer.
  
  Community Children's Museum
  
  77 East Blackwell St.
  
  Dover, NJ 07801
  
  973-366-9060
  
  communitychildrensmuseum.org