Magic House - St. Louis Children's Museum

The not-for-profit St. Louis Children's Museum, or Magic House, was established in 1979 to provide practical learning experiences for young people in a vibrant, creative and fun environment. Since then, more than 10 million visitors have passed through the doors of this renovated Victorian mansion. This incredibly popular attraction caters to children of all ages, from young babies to young adults.

When you arrive at the entrance, grab one of the maps on offer to help you plan your visit, for which you should allow between two and four hours. There are special play areas for babies under two and pre-school age youngsters.

The ever-popular Children's Village is sure to be a hit with young visitors. It features scaled-down models of several modern workplaces, including a nursery, a bank, a garage and a supermarket. Older children can explore the world of politics in the Star-Spangled Center. Watch as they try their hand at reading a speech from a podium, sit behind a president's desk and vote at a voting booth.

Outside, kids can learn how to tend to plants in the vegetable garden or have fun driving a model speedboat. They'll love playing outdoor games, such as hopscotch, and paddling in the garden stream. When they've worked up an appetite, take them to the Picnic Basket Café, which serves a healthy selection of soups, sandwiches and salads.

The Magic House is located in Kirkwood, a suburb to the west of St. Louis. Parking is free but places fill up fast, so the train can be a better option, especially at weekends. The journey to Kirkwood station takes half an hour from central St. Louis.

The museum is closed on Mondays throughout the year. During term time it's also closed to the public on weekday mornings. Opening hours are extended during school holidays – check the website for details. If you're visiting at the weekend, avoid the middle part of the day, when it can get very crowded.