photos by Todd Newcomer

Tucked away upstairs above the Durango Arts Center is a child's oasis filled with indoor sand boxes, arts and crafts supplies and currently a jungle full of ravenous dinosaurs. The Children's Museum of Durango located at 802 E. Second Ave. provides a romper room full of educational material as well as a much needed outlet for local parents. The current exhibit titled "Dinosaurs: Now You're In Their World!" encourages children to explore the world of dinosaurs through a variety of hands-on activities. The Children's Museum entertained and instructed over 12,000 visitors last year and are eagerly preparing for a new home in the historic Durango Power House adjacent to the Animas River.

Alex Oliver Amato, 7, feeds a herbivore a little broccoli during his day away from Needham Elementary. Orion Palmer, 6, grabs an armful of bean bags from the air jet machine Friday afternoon at the Children's Museum. From left, Peyton Floyd, Tess Burgwald, and Kate Petty enjoy the oddity of an indoor sand box at the Children's Museum Friday afternoon. David Golob, 2, finds his new favorite pasttime as he gets a ride on the swing at the Children's Museum last week. The current interactive dinosaur exhibit both educates and entertains a wide range of museum visitors. Karoline Bassett, 2, climbs up Dinosaur Ridge Friday afternoon in her brightly colored climbing apparel.