Get Kids Off the Screen in BH: A Scientific Itinerary with Dinosaurs, Stars, and Vintage Toys

Entertaining children in Greater BH requires creativity, especially when you want to escape the traditional shopping mall circuit. Combining learning, scientific curiosity, and interactive leisure in indoor or adaptable spaces is a surefire strategy to please everyone from toddlers to pre-teens.

This themed itinerary focuses on scientific exploration and imagination, bringing together three cultural and educational spaces in Belo Horizonte that work perfectly at any time of the year.

1. PUC Minas Museum of Natural Sciences: An Encounter with Dinosaurs

Located in the Coração Eucarístico neighborhood, the museum houses one of the most complete paleontology and zoology collections in the state.

• Major highlights: The life-sized replica of the Brazilian dinosaur Maxakalisaurus topai and preserved skeletons of Pleistocene megafauna, such as giant sloths and saber-toothed tigers.
• Interactive space: The exhibits feature educational panels that explain the evolution of species in a playful way.
• Facilities: The site has its own parking lot, a snack bar, and infrastructure accessible for strollers and wheelchair users.

2. UFMG Knowledge Space: A Journey Through the Stars at Praça da Liberdade

Installed within the Liberdade Circuit, this building of knowledge combines physics, astronomy, and anthropology in highly immersive exhibitions.

• 360° Planetarium: The highlight of the visit is the hemispherical projection room that simulates journeys through the Solar System and observation of constellations.
• Astronomical Terrace: On clear nights, the retractable roof opens for sky observation using professional telescopes guided by monitors.
• Digital Facade: At night, the exterior of the building becomes a large projection screen for educational and artistic videos.

3. Toy Museum: A Connection Between Generations

Situated in the Funcionários neighborhood, this space preserves the memory of play and entertains adults and children alike by rescuing toys from different eras.

• Historical collection: More than 3,000 pieces that show the evolution of games and toys from the 19th century to the early 2000s.
• Hands-on workshops: On weekends, monitors lead classic board games and traditional activities like stilts, spinning tops, and peteca (a traditional Brazilian shuttlecock game).

Practical Tips for Stress-Free Logistics

• Dining: Combine your visit to the Knowledge Space with a break at the cafes in Praça da Liberdade or a hearty snack in the downtown area.
• Tickets: Tickets for the UFMG Planetarium sessions are often in high demand on weekends; it is worth arriving early to secure your passes at the physical box office.

Planning Your Next Family Vacation

After enjoying a cultural weekend in the capital of Minas Gerais, it is time to start planning your next long holiday to recharge your batteries by the sea.

If you are looking to take the family to enjoy the coast with ease, check out the options on our portal, such as the Copacabana Day Trip - Rio de Janeiro from April 18 to 19, 2026 or secure your spot on the trip to Praia do Forte, Cabo Frio (RJ) from March 20 to 22, 2026.