The Chesterfield Children’s Museum of Richmond is open for business and they have an incredible array of interactive activities, educational toys, and fun for kids. A recent visit to the Museum did not disappoint as the grandchildren maneuvered around the open, airy space exploring every single item.
The fun really starts as you enter the front doors and quickly notice the brilliant colors and large number of exhibits. With so much open space, it makes it a great place for kids to play. And where else can you go where kids are having a blast while learning math, science, nutrition, banking, animal protection, painting, reading, and many other skills?
That’s what makes the Children’s Museum of Richmond so unique – fun and learning all at once!
What’s to Do?
One of the first things most kids notice are the life-sized firetruck and bus. They can climb aboard these vehicles and see what they look like inside. Kids try their skills at driving and steering, or sit back in the back of the bus and ride along (pretend of course!). Climbing on the firetruck is even more fun 
with the fireman’s coat and hat and they can pretend to put out a fire.
The latest CMoR location is equipped with a great indoor playground – complete with a slide for the very little kids so they can climb and slide alone. Then, there’s a bigger slide for older kids who want to climb and slide too. Older kids can grab hold of the circles overhead and spin themselves dizzy!
After some time on the playground, they can head over to the cafe where they’ll find a complete restaurant with checkered floors and red furnishings. Role playing is fun at the cafe where they can be the cook, server, cashier, or a customer. It’s a great place for kids to pretend they are dining in an old 1950’s style environment with a large television playing oldies music. The cafe has a small kitchen area, dining booths, menus, and play food.
Had enough cafe? No problem!
Head over to the SPCA exhibit where kids love the veterinarian clinic. It is complete with real live cats for kids to see through the glass window. Thanks to the SPCA, these cuddly snugly kittens were the hit of the ve
t clinic on opening day!
Now it’s time to learn about money management and the Museum has that covered. Picking out their own “debit and credit cards” and operating the ATM machine is a lesson in finance – or at least fun to pretend. The funniest thing was how much kids already knew about operating the ATM before they ever saw this exhibit (thanks to Mom and Dad).
Don’t miss the grocery store while you’re there. You’ll find a working conveyor belt, grocery carts, and lots of ‘pretend’ food for kids to check out as they shop.
But that’s not all you’ll find at this incredible storehouse of fun for elementary age kids and younger.
Arts and crafts are a big hit with plenty of covered tables, paper, paints and supplies to create a unique creation. Grab an artist’s shirt and start painting on the easels with paints and markers. Or suit-up for the water table where small boats float up and down the slides. They play make-believe on the stage and parents can watch kids create their own song, dance, or play as they improvise with lots of fun dress-up clothes and accessories.
More for Toddlers
The toddler area is great for pint-sized kids – where toddlers can crawl and climb as they improve their skills and dexterity. Toddlers have plenty to do at this location of CMoR for sure. They can take a ride on the “under the sea” themed train as they rattle around the track. Or spend some fun time on the artificial turf which looks just like grass as they peddle around on tricycles and other ride-on toys.
Of course, every child has to try the corn-hole game while they’re in this grassy oasis too.
Now that kids have played for hours and are starting to wind down, it’s a good time to check out the eating area. What better place to relax, refuel, and prepare for more fun than right here in the Museum. Bring your own snacks/lunch or enjoy the fresh foods from the healthy vending machine – squeeze-tubes of applesauce, Z-bars, and other healthy foods that are easily accessible (these are small snack-sized items).
After a fun visit to the Chesterfield CMoR, I asked my granddaughter what she thought about it.
She didn’t hesitate a moment before she replied, “It’s definitely a ’10’ Gigi!”
I think that says it all.
CMoR Chesterfield is located at 6629 Lake Harbour Drive in the Winterpock Crossing Shopping Center next to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery.
Children’s Museum of Richmond is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
Enjoy all CMoR locations this summer with great activities!
