100 Years of Wonder: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
By La’Crystele Brown
FWIS Contributing Writer
For a century, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has been more than just a place to see dinosaurs and ride carousels. It has been a home for curiosity, a playground for families, and a living archive of childhood memories. As the museum celebrates its centennial, I had the pleasure of speaking with Natalie Piggush, the museum’s Manager of Public and Media Relations, to learn what makes this place so beloved for generations.
Natalie’s connection to the museum is as personal as it is professional. “I interned here in 2017 and actually met my husband during that internship,” she shared with a laugh. “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl, so it truly feels like home.” After graduating from college and working in marketing and PR, Natalie jumped at the chance to return when her current job opened up. “I literally applied the day it was posted. There’s always something new going on here, whether it’s a new exhibit, an event, or even decorating our giant dinosaurs outside.”
The museum’s reputation matches its five floors of exhibits and sprawling 7.5-acre outdoor sports experience. “We are the world’s biggest, and according to USA Today, the nation’s best children’s museum,” Natalie said with pride. Her role involves everything from coordinating local and national media visits to writing press releases and making sure the museum’s story reaches families everywhere.
For families planning a visit, Natalie recommends setting aside a full day. There is simply too much to see in just a couple of hours. “We have five floors of experiences. No matter what you’re into: dinosaurs, space, science, pop culture, or fashion, we have something for everyone.” For younger children, she suggests Playscape, a dedicated area for kids five and under. “It’s perfect for babies and preschoolers. It’s not too crazy, it’s engaging and fun.”
This summer is especially exciting, with the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit open until September 1. “We worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, and our own in-house team designed and built all of the exhibit,” Natalie explained. “It’s super cute, and families love it.”
One of the most eye-catching additions for the centennial year is the 110 foot tall Centennial Ferris wheel. “It’s outside in our Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, which is 7.5 acres of all kinds of sports activities including hockey, football, basketball, pedal cars, even golf,” Natalie said. “The Ferris wheel is massive, 12 stories tall, with 24 roomy gondolas that fit up to six people (four adults, two kids). The views of downtown Indianapolis and the museum campus from up top are spectacular.”
Inside, the Dinosphere® remains a perennial favorite. “You’re transported back 65 million years, walking among two giant sauropods and hearing the sounds of a prehistoric world,” Natalie described. “It even gets a little colder as you walk in. There’s also a real working paleontology lab where you can see our paleontologists working on dinosaur bones and ask them questions. I learn something new every day.”
The museum’s approach to learning is all about family and hands-on engagement. “We focus on family learning, so it’s not just the kids who are learning, but parents and their grandparents too. Our founder wanted a place where kids could learn by doing, not just by listening. That’s still at the heart of what we do,” Natalie said. “You can touch things, ask questions, and our interpretation staff lead programs throughout the day. You might see a real dinosaur bone up close or watch a video on how we made it to the moon.”
One thing visitors might not realize is just how much is created in-house. “A lot of our exhibits are built by our own exhibits team, from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit to the upcoming Take Me There®: Peru exhibit,” Natalie said. “Our team even travels to countries like Peru to gather stories, artifacts, and inspiration, then recreates homes, schools, and markets right here in Indianapolis.”
The museum’s collections are equally impressive, with over 100,000 objects ranging from pop culture artifacts to a giant taxidermy bear and even the museum’s very first object, a porcupinefish. “We have an exhibit right now featuring 100 iconic artifacts from the museum’s history, including the yellow submarine I was able to go into as a kid and a giant polar bear that’s been a favorite for decades.”
Traveling exhibits also keep things fresh. Right now, families can see Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design, featuring about 60 costumes from the Oscar-winning designer, including the Black Panther suit worn by Chadwick Boseman. “It’s incredible to see these up close, and Ruth Carter herself was so lovely when she visited,” Natalie recalled.
For families planning a visit, Natalie’s tips are simple. Buy your tickets online in advance, plan for a full day, and be ready to be fully engaged, no matter your age. There’s something for everyone, and you’ll leave with memories and stories to share.
The centennial year is packed with special events, including a Juneteenth celebration on June 7 with free admission, and the opening of Take Me There®: Peru in July. Daily programs and hands-on activities mean every visit is unique.
As Natalie put it, “After 100 years, we want to celebrate big and encourage families to come experience the magic with us.” Whether you’re making new memories or reliving old ones, the museum is a place where everyone can learn, play, and dream together.
For more information on exhibits, hours, and tickets, visit www.childrensmuseum.org.