Are you looking for the ideal space for your child to learn and explore their interests? McKinney, Texas, has a plethora of wonderful museums that will allow your child to experience learning and growth in a way that is Interactive, authentic, and enjoyable. The following is a list of four can’t-miss museums recommended to you by Creme de la Creme in McKinney, Texas.

1. Play Street Museum

“Finger Painting with Cardboard” licensed through CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Cyril Caskey

For a day filled with fun and adventure, the Play Street Museum entrance costs only $12 per child ages 1-8. If children are under 1-year-old or older than 9 years, they can enter for free with a paying sibling. The more, the merrier — this museum is literally all about playing and having fun. The museum boasts a love of science and data and the little farm town scene that is the Play Street Museum offers interactive exhibits and activities in their educational play space. Parents can join their kids in the fun or just relax and watch the exploration take place.

The Play Street Museum encourages not only science and data exploration but also art. Visitors can engage in making pottery in-store or at home, work with clay, or paint on canvas. The museum is open to the public on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and reservations are not required. The museum also hosts a preschool program Tuesday through Thursday, and you may find some open playtime during school breaks by checking their online calendar.

Understanding that children need play to grow their creativity, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, this museum creates a wonderful place in which your children will discover a lasting desire to learn. You simply must put it on your to-do list.

2. Heard Natural Science Museum

Only 15 minutes from the Crème de la Crème location in McKinney, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary offers an opportunity to experience and connect with nature. This 289-acre nature preserve and museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. With a multitude of events and programs being provided, families and students can get their fill of the outdoors and all that it contains.

There are ongoing events such as night hikes, bird walks, nature talks, zipline days, and more! The museum even offers several annual and seasonal events like a date night for adults or a Halloween event called “Halloween at the Heard.” The founder of the Heard Museum, Bessie Heard, truly believed in creating a space where future generations could encounter nature at its finest. She believed in education, conservation, and preservation. You can take part in all three activities for a very reasonable price.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for children 3 and up, and $7 for seniors. Children 2 and under can enter for free. For families and children who love to be outside, this is the perfect opportunity.

3. Collin County History Museum

Though it is small, the Collin County History Museum provides a fun way to delve into county and country history alike. Found in the historic 1911 McKinney Post Office building, this lovely little museum has something for everyone: genealogists, historians, teachers, and students. The staff is more than happy to share their knowledge and give you a great tour.

The museum was built to contain the archives of the county, so you will find historical artifacts, photos, maps, and more. Three centuries of North Texas history are contained within the museum’s collections, giving witness to the diverse cultural experience of the state. Visitors can view and take part in the stories of the past through a variety of technology. They’ll also have access to a local veterans’ display, telling stories of those who fought since World War I.

While the museum is only open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can arrange a special tours from Monday through Wednesday by contacting the museum directly. This museum is not to be missed if you are in the area.

4. Chestnut Square Historic Village

A visit to McKinney wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Chestnut Square Historic Village. It is located on 2.5 acres and comprises six historic homes, including a replica of a 1900s one-room schoolhouse. Students can roam the property, taking in a general store, a chapel, an inn, and a blacksmith shop. All the buildings date from 1854 onward.

Only two blocks from the McKinney downtown square, you can get a better look at how people lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Collin County, an intriguing adventure for visitors of all ages. If you come on Thursday or Saturday at 11 a.m., you can have a guided tour and hear the stories about Collin County’s heritage.  Chestnut Square’s event calendar is full of murder mystery dinners, a prairie adventure camp, ghost tours, a holiday virtual tour of homes, and more.

This historic village also offers a year-round Farmers Market, loaded with local, farm-fresh produce, specialty items, arts and crafts, music, pony rides, and a plethora of other goods for you and the kids to enjoy. The farmers market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, April to November. It’s also open every first and third Saturday, December to March. McKinney, Texas, is trying to preserve history and celebrate community, and this little gem is one such example. Check out the Chestnut Square Village website to see more of their events and offerings.

McKinney, Texas, is a town that celebrates its historic roots and basks in its cultural commemorations. It’s a place where people go to be inspired and to remember the days of the past. Crème de la Crème of McKinney, TX wants you to experience the authenticity and identity of this little town with your family and has given you the perfect places to do just that. If you would like to share your favorite ways to experience the identity of McKinney, let us know so we can pass it on.