SHANGHAI has an astonishing number of museums, many of which are great for keeping young children engaged in various activities. Shanghai Daily takes a quick look at eight museums and shares some mini reviews by parents.

Shanghai Film Museum

The Shanghai Film Museum on the original site of the Shanghai Film Group Corp in Xujiahui area screens films and film clips. It also exhibits old props, costumes, memorabilia and equipment. Important events in the history of Shanghai cinema, actors, actresses, directors and other figures will be covered in exhibits, including video clips.

The museum also explains the production of “Yan Ruisheng” (1921), China’s first full-length feature based on a famous Shanghai murder case. Exhibits cover the first Chinese martial arts film “Burning the Temple of Red Lotus” (1928) and China’s first sound film “Sing-song Girl Red Peony,” both made by a Shanghai film company.

The museum contains a 4D-theater and several film studios in which visitors can be an actor, director or cameraman.

Tel: 021-6426 8666

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: 60 yuan; 30 yuan for students.

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/9998/

Zhang Yi, 33, father of a 5-year-old boy

The museum is a place that kids will like due to its collection of the city’s film history and its high-tech features including a 4D cinema and interactive touch screens.

Our half-day trip starts with a “Walk of Fame,” where people can experience what stars and celebrities face when surrounded by cameras on the red carpet.

Comparing the historical relics, I think kids may love the cartoon-themed exhibits in the museum that feature well-known Chinese cartoons such as Captain Black Cat and The Calabash Brothers. Kids can play interactive games by mimicking those cartoon characters and even drawing their own cartoons.

The 4D film “The Monkey King” is a must-see as it combines a 3D film with physical effects that occur in the theater. For parents, they had better bring a pair of children-sized 3D film glasses so kids can enjoy the film.

Museum of Songze Ruins

The 3,680-square-meter museum in Songze village, Qingpu District, provides a rare glimpse of Neolithic life in the region. It shows not only the ruins of a primitive society but also their tools and artifacts. The museum attracts academics, students and tourists who want to know what Shanghai looked like 5,000 years ago.

Tel: 021-5975 5777

Opening hours: 9am-4pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: Free

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11785/

Fang Ting, 37 Mother of a 7-year-old girl

Basically the museum is about the origin of Shanghai. You’ll see exhibits about Shanghai’s first residents, first well, first village, etc.

For kids over 10 years old, it’s a good chance to learn Shanghai’s history. But if your kids are younger, the museum has a huge outdoor space that allows them to run off some energy.

The museum is in suburban Qingpu District so it’s far from the city center. Be prepared for a traffic jam at the highway exit leading to the museum on weekends.

Shanghai Fire Museum

Shanghai Fire Museum is housed in a three-story building. It has a collection of over 21,000 photos, videos, firefighting equipment and other items to illustrate the evolution of firefighting and fire-prevention technology. It features a 4D cinema, an escape drill route, a firefighting laboratory, and other interactive exhibits.

Tel: 021-2895 5295

Opening hours: 9:30am-11:30am; 1:30pm-4:30pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: Free

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11782/

Cheng Yong, 43 Father of a 5-year-old boy

My son Xinxin recently fell in love with “Firman Sam,” a Welsh animated children’s television series about a fireman called Sam and his fellow firefighters. So we found ourselves at the Shanghai Fire Museum on a recent weekend.

The museum is near Zhongshan Park. The most intriguing exhibits, for both my son and me, were the vintage firefighting vehicles used in Shanghai in the 1920s and ‘30. Painted in bright red, they were intricately designed and well-kept, all exports from Britain or the United States.

Shanghai Animation & Comics Museum

The museum at 60 Zhangjiang Road in Pudong is in a three-story building. It’s vivid and fascinating exhibits show the history and development of the country’s animation industry. There is an animation studio and 3D cinema as well.

Tel: 021-5895 7998

Opening hours: 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: 30 yuan

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11784/

Shen Ke, 31Father of a 3-year-old girl

The location is far from downtown, so we drove. Parking is free. Many children are fascinated by the models of superheroes like Spider-man, Ironman and Captain America on the first floor.

The second floor is a DIY area where parents and kids can make some handicrafts together. Parents can also take a rest while letting their children play by themselves. The most popular installation on the floor is the Totoro bus. Many children refuse to get out. There is a theater on the third floor.

Shanghai Natural Wild-Insect Kingdom

This is the first museum in the country to specialize in insects. More than 200 species of various creepy crawlies are on display. With high-tech equipment, the insect environments come alive so visitors can learn about their habits and experience the close relationship between humans and nature.

When it comes to show time, the insect kingdom never disappoints with the thrilling honey gathering activity, insect parade and food grabbing show. What’s most unique in the museum is the interaction between animals and insects. Visitors can touch them, feed them, do some fishing, watch the animal show and make insect specimens on their own. It is such a great way to come into close contact with nature.

Tel: 021-5840 5921

Opening hours: 9am-5pm; weekends & national holidays: 11am/2:30pm for stage show

Admission: 60 yuan for adults; 40 yuan for kids and students

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/682/

Xia Qi, 36Mother of a 3-year-old girl

The insect corridor on the first floor is not very long. Adults will probably find it boring, but kids love it. You can see stick insects, scorpions and the Hercules beetle, and you can watch them eating or grinding their teeth. Another floor displays many kinds of turtles and lizards. Some are cute and some are fierce.

You can buy fish food to feed fish in the Ecological Zone near the entrance, and you can also feed rabbits and goats. While this is incongruous with the point of an insect kingdom, kids just don’t care. They love it all the same. You can make insect specimens in the specimen display zone and net a fish at the fishing zone. You can even buy the larva of some beetles and bring them home as pets.

Now here’re some advice for moms. If you are afraid of snakes, try not to look at the show windows along the corridor after passing the fish pool and walk directly into the Insect Corridor. If you are frightened of insects, keep running and go downstairs. If you fear turtles and lizards, you’d better enter the butterfly hall. And if butterflies also scare you... well, go to the Super Brand Mall nearby and shop.

So, for moms who take children to the Wild Insect Museum but are not so brave, always remember to bring dad.Shanghai Textile Museum

Shanghai Textile Museum, south of Suzhou Creek, used to be the site of Shenxin No. 9 Textile Factory. It shows the development of the textile industry in Shanghai and the role of the city’s textile workers in their struggle for liberation from unscrupulous owners. The museum is a site for patriotic education.

Tel: 021-6299 6969

Opening hours: 9:30am-4pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: Free

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11783/

Chen Jie, 37Mother of a 4-year-old girl

The museum is one of the few good places that you can spend a pleasant afternoon with your kids free of charge.

Here little girls will be enchanted by the colorful ancient Chinese costumes and boys can get to know what astronaut’s suits are made of. Even the parents themselves will be interested in all kinds of high-tech fabrics that are used in daily life. All the exhibits have English labels.

It is a shame that not many people know about it. The museum is spacious, so bring a stroller if you have a toddler.

Shanghai Museum of Glass

Shanghai Museum of Glass is good for visitors of all ages, with its sparkling and colorful galleries. The main section shows a range of glass items from ancient to contemporary, classic to avant-garde.

The museum is divided into five exhibition areas — What Is Glass; The Development of Technology; From Daily Life to the Forefront of Science and Technology; Demonstration of Art Creation; and The Hot Glass Workshop.

This is not just a place for viewing glass — it’s also home to an exciting teaching experience. The hot glass performance shows the process of glass-making. In a high temperature stove of more than 1,100 degrees Celsius, glass is transformed to create brilliant artworks through softening, blowing, polishing and pressing.

Within the museum, the old glass furnace workshop of the Shanghai Light Industry Glass Co Ltd still stands. The workshop was refurbished by a famous French engineer.

Tel: 021-6618 1970

Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 9:30am-5pm; Sat: 9:30am-9pm

Admission: Admission: 48 yuan for adults; 28 yuan for students; free for kids under 1.3 meters.

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/10835/

Cai Jin, 36Mother of a 3-year-old girl

Definitely worth the long ride to the museum, which is located in Shanghai’s outlying Baoshan District. The museum building is nicely designed, wrapped in glass walls etched with Chinese characters. Inside, you can enjoy colorful and exquisite glass art and more.

The best thing about this museum is its glass-making workshop, where visitors can see hot glass blowing, and learn how glass is made.

The museum’s cafe is also highly recommended. On the roof of the building, the cafe is artistic and has intriguing glassware.

Shanghai Children’s Museum

Shanghai Children’s Museum, a member of the American Association of Museums, aims to inspire, enlighten and entertain children with fascinating exhibits and programs. It educates young visitors through entertaining activities.

Tel: 021-6278 3130

Opening hours: 8:45am-3:30pm (closed on Mondays)

Admission: Free

Address: www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11781/

Xia Ruirui, 37Mother of a 4-year-old girl

The museum’s ground floor has a replica of a submarine cockpit, which really fascinated my daughter. She loved playing with the mysterious buttons and the mock steering wheel in the cabin. Another attraction on the ground floor is a small hall designed to simulate the environment on the moon.

The second floor offers more interactive experiences. Children can try some simple science experiments, for example, learning about different sounds and structural mechanics to keep things in balance.

There’s also a big game room where kids can pretend to be a barber, doctor, nurse and shopping assistant.

The only problem is due to poor maintenance, many props are broken or dirty. I suggest parents carry some antibacterial tissues or hand sanitizer to clean their hands afterwards.