Tennessee is full of museums, parks, and attractions where kids can do more than just look—they can touch, build, experiment, and explore. From splashing in water play areas to feeding giraffes up close, these spots are designed to keep young hands busy and curious minds engaged. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or looking for a rainy-day adventure, the state offers interactive experiences that turn learning into play.
Here are twelve places across Tennessee where kids can jump in and be part of the action.
1. Creative Discovery Museum — Chattanooga
Walk into this museum and you’ll immediately notice the difference—kids aren’t asked to keep their hands to themselves. The Creative Discovery Museum is built around the idea that children learn best when they’re actively involved, and every corner of the space reflects that philosophy.
Inside, you’ll find ArtSpace, where budding artists can paint, sculpt, and experiment with different materials without worrying about making a mess. There’s also a farm-themed area that introduces younger kids to animals and agriculture in a tactile, approachable way. Tennessee Riverplay is a favorite for warmer days, offering water-based activities that let kids splash, pour, and discover how rivers and waterways work.
One of the standout features is the rocket-launch station, where children can build their own rockets and test them out. It’s the kind of activity that turns science into something thrilling rather than theoretical.
The museum is designed for kids from toddlers to elementary-aged children, with different zones tailored to different developmental stages. Parents appreciate that the space is clean, safe, and thoughtfully organized, making it easy to spend a few hours without feeling overwhelmed.
Located in downtown Chattanooga, it pairs well with other nearby attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium. Many families plan a full day around both spots, giving kids a mix of science, nature, and creative play all in one outing.
2. Tennessee Aquarium — Chattanooga
Most aquariums are about watching fish swim by, but the Tennessee Aquarium takes a more interactive approach. It’s designed to bring families closer to the animals, with exhibits that encourage exploration rather than passive observation.
The aquarium houses thousands of creatures, from playful river otters to stingrays you can touch in shallow pools. Kids are drawn to the hands-on areas where they can feel the texture of a horseshoe crab or watch penguins waddle just inches away from their faces. The exhibits are organized around freshwater and ocean environments, giving children a chance to see how different ecosystems work.
Instead of just reading plaques, kids can participate in feeding demonstrations, watch divers interact with sharks, and explore behind-the-scenes areas during special programs. The aquarium is also known for its conservation efforts, and many of the exhibits highlight local wildlife and the importance of protecting Tennessee’s rivers and lakes.
Because it’s located right next to the Creative Discovery Museum, many families plan a combined visit. The two attractions complement each other well—one focuses on building and creating, the other on observing and understanding the natural world. Together, they make for a full day of hands-on learning in downtown Chattanooga.
3. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring — Murfreesboro
If you’re in Middle Tennessee and looking for a place where kids can get their hands dirty—literally—the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a solid choice. It’s not flashy or oversized, but it’s packed with activities that let children test ideas, make predictions, and see what happens when they try something new.
The center focuses on hands-on education, with exhibits that cover everything from basic physics to biology. Kids can build structures, experiment with water flow, explore sound waves, and dig into fossils. The activities are designed to be open-ended, meaning there’s no single “right” way to interact with them, which encourages creative problem-solving.
One of the center’s strengths is its accessibility. It serves more than 130,000 children and families each year, many of whom come from schools and community groups. The staff is experienced at working with different age groups and learning styles, making it a welcoming place for kids who might not thrive in traditional classroom settings.
The exhibits rotate periodically, so repeat visits often bring something new to explore. Parents appreciate that the center is affordable and easy to navigate, with enough variety to keep kids engaged for a couple of hours without feeling rushed.
Located in Murfreesboro, it’s a convenient stop for families living in or passing through the Nashville area. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t make a big fuss about itself but consistently delivers quality, hands-on experiences that kids remember long after they leave.
4. Adventure Science Center — Nashville
Nashville’s Adventure Science Center has been a go-to destination for families who want science to feel less like homework and more like an adventure. The exhibits are designed to pull kids in, whether they’re launching rockets, exploring the human body, or watching stars come to life in the Sudekum Planetarium.
The center describes itself as Nashville’s destination for family science fun, and that’s not an exaggeration. Interactive stations let kids experiment with gravity, light, sound, and motion. There’s a hands-on area where younger children can build with blocks, play with water, and explore simple machines, while older kids gravitate toward the more complex exhibits that challenge them to think critically.
The Sudekum Planetarium is a major draw, offering immersive shows that take viewers on journeys through space. The visuals are stunning, and the narration is tailored to be engaging for both kids and adults. It’s one of the few places where you can lie back, look up, and feel like you’re floating among the stars.
What makes the Adventure Science Center stand out is its ability to balance education with entertainment. The exhibits aren’t preachy or overly academic—they’re designed to spark curiosity and let kids discover answers through trial and error.
The center also hosts special events, camps, and workshops throughout the year, making it a place families can return to again and again. It’s centrally located in Nashville, easy to reach, and large enough to spend several hours exploring without running out of things to do.
5. Tennessee State Museum Children’s Gallery — Nashville
The Tennessee State Museum’s Children’s Gallery is designed specifically for the youngest explorers—kids ages 3 to 8 who are just starting to develop a sense of curiosity about the world around them. It’s a space where history becomes something they can touch, wear, and play with rather than something they have to sit still and listen to.
One of the most popular features is the giant Tennessee map that kids can walk across, learning about different regions of the state in a way that feels like a game. There are dress-up areas where children can try on period costumes, giving them a chance to imagine what life was like in different eras. Hands-on activities help them explore Tennessee’s culture, geography, and history through play.
The gallery is intentionally low-key and not overwhelming, which is perfect for younger children who might get overstimulated in larger museums. The activities are simple but engaging, and parents appreciate that the space is designed with little ones in mind—everything is at kid height, and the exhibits are durable enough to withstand enthusiastic handling.
Because it’s part of the Tennessee State Museum, admission is free, which makes it an accessible option for families looking for a budget-friendly outing. The museum itself is located in downtown Nashville, so it’s easy to combine a visit to the Children’s Gallery with other activities in the area.
For families with preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids, this is one of the best spots in Nashville to introduce Tennessee history in a way that feels fun and approachable.
6. Children’s Museum of Memphis — Memphis
Memphis has its own answer to the question of where to take kids who need to move, explore, and interact. The Children’s Museum of Memphis is built around the idea that play is the best teacher, and every exhibit reflects that philosophy.
The museum offers a wide range of hands-on activities, from climbing structures to pretend-play areas where kids can run a grocery store, pilot an airplane, or work in a construction zone. There’s a strong emphasis on learning through doing, with exhibits that encourage problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.
One of the standout features is the water play area, which is always a hit with younger kids. They can experiment with dams, waterwheels, and pumps, learning basic engineering concepts while getting just a little bit wet. There’s also an art studio where children can paint, sculpt, and create without worrying about making a mess.
The museum is designed for kids from toddlers to early elementary age, with different zones tailored to different developmental stages. Parents appreciate that the space is clean, well-maintained, and staffed by people who genuinely enjoy working with children.
What makes the Children’s Museum of Memphis a reliable choice is its consistency. It’s been a staple of the Memphis community for years, and it continues to offer high-quality, hands-on experiences that keep kids engaged and parents happy. It’s the kind of place where a couple of hours can easily turn into a full morning or afternoon.
7. Discovery Park of America — Union City
Discovery Park of America in Union City is one of Tennessee’s most surprising attractions, combining a museum, heritage park, gardens, and family adventure destination all in one sprawling campus. It offers something for nearly every kind of visitor, whether you’re interested in history, science, art, classic cars, military exhibits, or hands-on learning.
Inside, guests can explore interactive galleries that bring everything from space exploration to regional history to life in a way that feels engaging rather than overwhelming.
Outside, the grounds feature beautifully designed gardens, historical buildings, walking paths, and large-scale displays that make the entire property feel like an experience instead of just a museum visit. Families especially love how easy it is to move from educational exhibits to fun, photo-worthy spaces without losing momentum. The attraction feels polished, modern, and thoughtfully curated, yet still welcoming and accessible for all ages.
Discovery Park of America is the kind of place that turns a simple stop into a full day of memorable exploration.
8. Hands On! Discovery Center — Gray
Hands On! Discovery Center in Gray is a fun, family-friendly destination built to spark curiosity through play, creativity, and hands-on learning. Designed especially for children, the center features interactive exhibits that encourage kids to explore science, art, problem-solving, and imagination in a way that feels exciting rather than structured.
Every area invites young visitors to touch, build, experiment, and discover at their own pace, making it a great choice for families looking for an outing that is both entertaining and educational. Parents appreciate that the space is engaging without feeling overwhelming, with activities that keep children interested while still allowing room for free exploration.
The center’s bright, welcoming environment makes it easy for kids to feel comfortable jumping right in, whether they are creating, climbing, or testing out new ideas.
9. Muse Knoxville — Knoxville
Muse Knoxville in Knoxville is a lively children’s museum and outdoor play space designed to make learning feel active, creative, and genuinely fun. It offers interactive exhibits that encourage kids to explore science, art, health, music, and imaginative play through hands-on experiences rather than passive observation.
Children can move from one activity to the next while building, experimenting, pretending, and discovering in ways that keep them engaged for hours.
One of its biggest strengths is how it blends indoor exhibits with outdoor areas, giving families a mix of educational play and room to burn off energy. The setting feels welcoming and approachable, making it a favorite for parents looking for an outing that is both entertaining and enriching. Younger children especially tend to connect with the playful, open-ended design of the exhibits.
10. Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge — Oak Ridge
The museum is designed to keep children engaged through hands-on exhibits, interactive activities, and imaginative areas that encourage curiosity at every turn. Kids can explore, build, experiment, and learn in ways that feel natural and exciting, while parents enjoy an outing that is both entertaining and enriching.
What makes this museum feel especially distinct is its connection to Oak Ridge’s unique history, giving families a chance to mix playful discovery with a deeper sense of place. The atmosphere is welcoming, approachable, and easy for children to enjoy at their own pace, whether they are diving into educational exhibits or simply exploring for fun.
Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge stands out as a destination where learning feels lively, family time feels well spent, and every visit brings something new to discover.
11. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies — Gatlinburg
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg is one of Tennessee’s most exciting family attractions, offering an immersive look at marine life through vibrant exhibits and unforgettable up-close encounters. Visitors can stroll through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks, rays, and colorful fish, creating the feeling of stepping right into the ocean.
Interactive areas give guests a chance to touch marine animals and engage more directly with the experience, while the themed exhibits keep the visit feeling dynamic from start to finish. Families especially love how easy it is to spend hours here without losing interest, thanks to the variety of sea creatures and visually striking displays.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies stands out as a destination that feels both fun and memorable, turning a simple visit into a fascinating journey through the underwater world.
12. Tennessee Safari Park — Alamo
Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo offers a memorable animal experience where families can get much closer to wildlife than they would at a traditional zoo. Known for its drive-through safari and walk-through attractions, the park gives visitors the chance to see a wide variety of animals in a setting that feels interactive, relaxed, and fun for all ages.
The experience is especially exciting for kids, who love being able to spot animals up close and enjoy the sense of adventure that comes with moving through the park.
Beyond the safari drive, the attraction creates a family-friendly atmosphere that mixes entertainment with a chance to appreciate wildlife in a more engaging way. It is the kind of place that feels easy to enjoy, whether you are planning a casual afternoon outing or looking for something different on a Tennessee road trip.