First founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children's Museum was one of the first designed just for children. It has undergone extensive renovations and is now double its previous size. With all the modern technology and innovation expected of today's children's museums, it's very much a hands-on place. Children can pluck a guitar, handle earthworms, adopt a plant and test their shoe-tying skills in a unique building reached through an underground People Tube. There's a special area for children younger than 5 and a collection of 27,000 objects—from Queen Elizabeth II coronation dolls to an elephant skeleton. Open September-June Wednesday-Friday 1-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6 pm; hours may vary slightly in July and August. US$5 per person, free for children younger than 1. 145 Brooklyn Ave., at St. Mark's Avenue (subway line 3 or C to Kingston Avenue, A to Nostrand Avenue—you then have to walk several blocks, so call for specifics), Brooklyn, New York City. Phone 718-735-4400. http://www.brooklynkids.org.
