The very first museum of its type in the nation, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum isn’t easy to get to from Manhattan, but it rewards those who make the trek (there's a shuttle from the nearest subway stop many days of the week; check the museum's website). Inspired by the idea that children love to play at working, the museum gives them a number of places in which to "toil": a garden where they can plant things and learn about botany, a pretend restaurant and grocery store where they can "feed" their parents, a "building brainstorm" area that teaches the basics of architecture and engineering with blocks and other building toys, and more. And for those who end up spending the entire day here (it happens!), there’s an on-site cafe.