These museums are fun and educational!

Strategic Air & Space Museum

Ashland

I-80 Exit 426, 28210 W. Park Hwy - This world-class museum houses a huge permanent collection of famous aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, including the B-1, SR-71, B-52, B-36, MiG-21, Fb-111, Vulcan and Apollo 009, as well as the proud history of the Strategic Air Command. Snack bar, flight simulators, traveling exhibits and special weekend events. Open daily, 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day. Admission: $7 adults (13 & over), $6 seniors, $3 children (5 - 12), ages 5 and under free. Family membership $50. Group rates. 800-358-5029

Lincoln Children's Museum

Lincoln

1420 P St - Experience the power of play! Creativity, discovery and learning come together for children in 3 floors of hands-on exhibits including a 3-story apple tree, a real stage, a full-size Cessna airplane and an interactive water exhibit. Open Tue-Sat, 9:30am-5pm; Sun,1-5pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $6 adults and children over 2 yrs, $5.50 seniors, free 2 yrs and under. Family memberships and group rates available. 402-477-0128

University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History and Mueller Planetarium

Lincoln

Morrill Hall, S. of 14th & Vine Sts - Nebraska's largest natural history museum features the world's premier collection of fossil elephants, Nebraska fossils, American Indian and African exhibits, dinosaurs, wildlife dioramas, Explore Evolution exhibit, hands-on discovery center, ""Darwin, a Life of Discovery,"" planetarium and much more. Mon-Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm; Sun and holidays, 1:30-4:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission: $5 adults, $3 children, $10 families. 402-472-2642

Omaha Children's Museum

Omaha

500 S. 20th St - Experience learning and fun wrapped up in one. Newly-renovated, interactive exhibit areas. At the Creative Arts Center kids can learn from the artist-in-residence, try on stage makeup, dress in costume, help create the community sculpture, play with a giant LiteBrite and Magna Doodle and more. Science comes to life in the Charlie Campbell Science and Technology Center. Move balls with water, wind and machines at the Super Gravitron, tinker with gadgets inspired by Leonardo da Vinci at the Inventor's Workshop and watch live science presentations at the Science Showplace. Early learners will love the Imagination Playground where they can explore the firehouse and water play area, play in the farm and shop in the Little Market. Check the website for schedules, exhibit information and educational programming. Open Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm. Open Thu nights until 8pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $7 ages 2-59, $6 ages 60 & up, under 2 yrs free. 402-342-6164

Batchelder Family Scout Museum

Omaha

12401 W. Maple Rd - Opening Spring 2007. The museum preserves the traditions of the Boy Scouts and increases the awareness of the life-changing journeys taken by boys and their families throughout the Mid-America Council's 90 years of history. Displays and memorabilia. Open year-round, Mon-Weds & Fri, 8am-6pm; Thu, 8am-7pm; Sat, 10am-3pm. Free. 402-431-9272

Western Heritage Museum

Omaha

801 S. 10th St - Historic Art Deco railroad station houses exhibits depicting the history of Omaha, a restored soda fountain, theater, train cars and model trains. Special touring exhibitions. Byron Reed coin collection has some of the world's rarest and most valuable coins. Open Tue, 10am-8pm; Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 ages 3-12, members free. 402-444-5071