Activities for Kids

11 Destinations That’ll Send Your Little Aviators Sky High

Take your little pilot up, up and away at these 11 awesome aviation centers that range from interactive exhibits to real-life aircrafts.

By Gabby Cullen April 5, 2016

Planes haven’t been on your radar since Maverick and Top Gun, but your little captain loves flying the friendly skies. Take her up, up and away at 11 awesome aviation centers perfect for petite pilots. From interactive exhibits to real-life aircrafts, you’re now boarding for the next family adventure.

Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos, Ca

At the Hiller Aviation Museum in Silicon Valley, kids can watch live airport operations from the Observation Nook and monitor real-time radio communications between air traffic controller and pilots. Mini-captains can sit in the cockpit of a Blue Angel A4 jet, and check out the hands-on weather and storm-making exhibit. On weekends the museum is jam-packed with activities for flight fans of all ages including: the Flight Sim Zone, Invention Lab, Drone Ple and Imagination Playground. Be sure to check the events calendar before stopping by,—it’s full of cool events such as Fly for Fun Days, Trains and Planes and Kids Bash.

Good to know: Don't forget to peek in on the Restoration Shop. The large picture windows give visitors a behind-the-scenes view of the aircraft restoration process.

Online: hiller.org

photo: David Werner via flickr