The 10 Best Aquariums for Kids

Ever notice how a child's face lights up when you visit an aquarium? Watching all the colorful sea creatures swimming around in larger-than-life tanks can seem pretty magical, especially to young kids. But there's more to a great exhibit than just fish. "Research shows that hands-on features -- like opportunities to touch marine life -- sustain interest, spark learning, and create a fun visit for the whole family," says Angela V. Graziano, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

With this in mind, we scoured the country to find aquariums where kids don't just look at cool things -- they get to take part. Our 41-question survey evaluated the number, creativity, and educational aspect of each aquarium's interactive features. We also graded the aquariums on the quality and kid-friendliness of their exhibits, services (like changing stations), staff and educators, special programs for groups and families, and conservation efforts. Along with our panel of experts, we narrowed it down to our top 10 favorites.