Quick Answer: Is the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon Good for Kids?
Yes. The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Georgia combines hands-on science and art activities, a Mini-Zoo with more than 40 live animals, rotating art exhibitions, Science on a Sphere, the Mark Smith Planetarium, and the outdoor Sweet Gum Trail. Discovery House is especially easy to explore with younger kids, while the planetarium, science exhibits, art galleries, animals, and outdoor areas give older children plenty to see too.
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If you are looking for something to do with kids in Macon that works on a hot summer afternoon, a chilly winter day, or one of those weekends when everyone needs to get out of the house, the Museum of Arts and Sciences is one of the more versatile options in the area. It is not just an art museum or just a science museum. You can move from hands-on activities and live animals to a planetarium show, art galleries, and even an outdoor nature trail in the same visit.
What You’ll Find at the Museum of Arts and Sciences
One of the best things about the museum is the variety. If one part does not hold your child’s attention for long, there is something completely different around the corner. The museum brings art, science, animals, astronomy, and outdoor exploration together instead of expecting kids to spend the entire visit doing one type of activity.
Current museum experiences include:
- Discovery House with interactive art and science activities
- The Mini-Zoo and live animal experiences
- The Mark Smith Planetarium
- Science on a Sphere
- Rotating fine art exhibitions
- The Sweet Gum Trail and outdoor areas
Discovery House: A Good First Stop With Kids
For families with younger children, Discovery House is probably where I would start. It has three interactive floors, so this is not an area where kids are expected to quietly look at displays from a distance.
In the Artist’s Garret, kids can experiment with light, movement, building, and art activities. The Scientist’s Workshop includes activities such as forecasting weather at the Weather Station, searching for fossils in the archaeology dig, exploring constellations, and experimenting with gravity.
That mix makes Discovery House especially helpful if you are visiting with siblings who do not have exactly the same interests.
The Mini-Zoo
The Mini-Zoo is another part of the museum that can make the visit feel very different from a typical indoor museum trip. The museum says its live collection includes more than 40 animals, and its current animal list includes species such as an American alligator, blue iguana, ball python, eastern screech owl, barred owl, tortoises, turtles, a blue-tongue skink, a tamarin, and more.
There are also scheduled Live Animal Experiences. As of this update, those are offered Tuesday through Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. They are included with regular admission unless otherwise noted. Because schedules can change, I would check the museum website before planning your entire visit around a particular program.
The Mark Smith Planetarium
The planetarium is worth planning around rather than treating it as something you will squeeze in whenever you happen to walk by. The museum currently schedules three planetarium shows each day it is open, at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Plan to arrive at the planetarium about 5 to 10 minutes before the show. Late seating is not allowed once a program begins, and there is no reentry if you leave during the show because the room needs to remain dark.
The museum currently recommends planetarium programming for ages 3 and older. If you have a child who is uncomfortable with darkness, louder audio, or sitting through a full show, that is something I would consider before adding it to your plans.
Science on a Sphere
Science on a Sphere is one of the museum features that is easy to overlook when you are focused on the animals and planetarium. It is a six-foot sphere that uses projected data and imagery to turn the globe into a large visual display. Depending on the programming, visitors can see information related to Earth, weather, oceans, space, and other science topics.
It is also one of those exhibits that can work across a pretty wide age range because younger kids can enjoy the visual side while older children can understand more of the science behind what they are seeing.
Don’t Skip the Art Galleries
It can be tempting to head straight toward the hands-on areas when you have kids with you, but the art galleries are part of what makes this museum different. Exhibitions rotate throughout the year, so what you see on one visit may be completely different the next time.
Rather than listing the current exhibitions here and letting this post become outdated again, I recommend checking the museum’s current exhibitions before your visit. That also gives you an idea of whether there is something your older kids or teens may be particularly interested in seeing.
Head Outside to the Sweet Gum Trail
If the weather is nice and everyone still has some energy left, the Sweet Gum Trail gives you a chance to get outside before heading home. The trail includes native plants and opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife around the museum property.
This is an especially nice addition if your kids have reached their limit with being indoors. You can break up the museum experience instead of trying to keep everyone inside until you have seen absolutely everything.
How Much Does the Museum of Arts and Sciences Cost?
As of August 2026, general admission is:
- Adults ages 18+: $10
- Children ages 3–17: $5
- Children under 3: Free
- Seniors ages 62+: $8
- Military with ID: $8
- College students with ID: $7
- Museum members: Free
Regular admission currently includes planetarium shows, Live Animal Experiences, and Artist Talks unless the museum notes otherwise for a particular program.
Hours and Location
Museum of Arts and Sciences
4182 Forsyth Road
Macon, GA 31210
Current regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday, along with several major holidays.
Official website: Museum of Arts and Sciences
How Long Should You Plan to Stay?
I would not treat this as a quick 30-minute stop if you want to see several parts of the museum. A couple of hours gives you much more breathing room, especially if you want to explore Discovery House, see the animals, and work a planetarium show into your visit.
Families with younger children may move through some areas quickly and then spend most of their time in Discovery House or the Mini-Zoo. Older kids may want more time for the science exhibits, planetarium, and galleries. There is enough variety here that you do not have to see every single thing for the trip to feel worthwhile.
A Few Things Parents Should Know Before Going
- Free parking is available in the museum lot.
- Strollers are allowed in the main museum areas.
- The galleries, facilities, and parking areas are wheelchair accessible.
- There is no onsite café, so plan meals or snacks around your visit.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside museum exhibit areas, but picnic areas are available outside.
- Personal photography is allowed in the galleries, but flash, tripods, selfie sticks, and external photography equipment are not permitted.
- Large bags and umbrellas may need to be checked at the front desk.
- Check the daily schedule before visiting if a planetarium show or Live Animal Experience is important to your plans.
Is It Worth Visiting With Toddlers?
Yes, but I would plan the visit around what your toddler can realistically enjoy rather than trying to do the whole museum. Discovery House, the animals, and simply having different spaces to move through are likely to be the biggest draws.
One important detail is the planetarium. The museum recommends it for ages 3 and older, so families with very young children may want to save that part for a future visit. Children under 3 receive free general admission.
What About Older Kids?
The museum is not only for little kids. Older elementary children, tweens, and teens can get more out of the planetarium, Science on a Sphere, rotating art exhibitions, live animal programs, and the science behind many of the interactive exhibits. That range is helpful when you are trying to find an outing that works for siblings several years apart.
Before You Go
Hours, program times, exhibits, and admission can change, so check the Museum of Arts and Sciences website before heading out, especially if you are going specifically for a planetarium show, animal experience, special event, or exhibition.
Check current Museum of Arts and Sciences visitor information
More Things to Do With Kids Around Macon
If you are putting together more ideas for a weekend, school break, or just an afternoon out with the kids, here are a few more Middle Georgia resources:
A Little About Fire Family Photography
Fire Family Photography is a Middle Georgia family and motherhood photographer serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, and surrounding communities. My sessions are centered around genuine interaction, movement, and giving families room to actually be together rather than spending the whole session trying to make everyone look perfect at the same time.
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