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Best Upcoming Exhibits For Kids In Sacramento

Here are some great places to take your children this summer when you have extra time on your hands while they are out of school. These places have a number of exhibits that are sure to inspire your child's imagination. You can find out about history in the making with California Chrome, the animal ambassadors from the nature center, about our historic past such as John Sutter and the Donner Family or the railroad that helped the east meet the west. Whatever your interest you are sure to find something to inspire and entertain.
California Museum
1020 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-7524
www.californiamuseum.orgIf your children enjoy horses, this exhibit takes the race. California Chrome, a California-bred horse, had a six-race winning streak that included the 2014 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn have helped to create this exhibit, where the 2014 Kentucky Derby Trophy will be on display. The horse that came from humble beginnings in Coalinga, California ranked as the 2014 American Horse of the Year. The exhibit will also highlight the nation's oldest racetrack built in 1858 in Pleasanton, the famous horse Seabiscuit and more.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Ancil Hoffman County Park
2850 San Lorenzo Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 489-4918
www.sacnaturecenter.netThose with a love for birds, reptiles and amphibians should visit the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. They regularly have them on exhibit for visitors to enjoy. Five birds in particular can be seen as they are animal ambassadors and actually go visiting to schools, helping with efforts to educate the public. Those birds are Sophia, the northern Saw-whet Owl; Echo, a Great Horned Owl; Tanner, a Red-tailed Hawk; Skye a Red-shouldered Hawk; and Rocky, an American Kestrel. The nature center also has an Adopt an Animal program you could be a part of.
Sutter's Fort
2701 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 445-4422
www.suttersfort.org

Note: Sutter's Fort is closed until mid-August for renovations.
Sutter's Fort is the one place in Sacramento where it is legal to shoot the cannon. This is a year-round exhibit showing how people lived in the days of John Sutter and the Donner family. Additionally, they have other exhibits during the year, though you will have to contact them regarding times and cost. Some of those exhibits are Kids Fun on the Frontier, Wagons West, Trapper's Camp, Haunted Fort, Candlelight Tours, and A Simple Emigrant Christmas. They also have started the program Kids Teaching Kids which your child could become a part of.

Related: Best Exhibits For Kids In Sacramento

Aerospace Museum
3200 Freedom Park Drive
McClellan, CA 95652
(916) 643-3192
www.aerospaceca.orgThe Aerospace Museum opened in 2007 and made education their number one priority. Children of any age are able to use their imagination and be inspired as they learn about space and the allure of flying. There are high-tech simulators to help experience the high of flying. Your child can sit in the cockpit of a plane and hear stories from the docents that guide their tour. The museum has planes from throughout the past, including bi-planes and Russian MIGs. Aircraft in some of the exhibits are called Warthog, Boxcar, Grasshopper and Voodoo. They also have a vintage collection of aircraft engines.
The Railroad Museum
125 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 323-9280
www.csrmf.orgMany-a-child dreams of being an engineer driving the train down the track. Here they can see trains up close and personal as well as taking a ride on one of the excursion trains, or in November and December on the Polar Express to the North Pole. Children ages 7-12 can become a junior engineer. Instructions and downloads for completing the activity guide are on the website.

Related: Best Science Exhibits In Sacramento

Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
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