Your kids will be jumping between exhibits so you don't want to be carrying around a bunch of stuff there are several family friendly restaurants within walking distance Friday evenings they have a big discount
The museum clears out between 12:30 and 3, then picks up again. If you don't have little kids that need naps, then go during nap time. I miss that the treehouse no longer has an actual slide, but I love that that brought back 'grandma's chair'. I have been going to this museum since I was a kid (and it was in the mall).
