Cold winter days make a great time for families to check out the fun and educational events taking place at regional science and natural history museums.

The Miami Valley and southwestern Ohio has some great ones. Here’s a look, divided by region, at what these museums are presenting now.

Dayton

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton; www.boonshoftmuseum.org or (937) 275-7431.

The Dome, aka the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater, hosts three types of shows daily: planetarium shows, full-dome films, and 3D shows. Shows include: “Tales of the Maya Skies,” “SpacePark360,” “One World-One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure,” “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” “Sea Monsters 3D” and “The Sky Tonight.”

Effective this year, regular museum admission includes unlimited Space Theater shows. Admission is $12 adults, $9 children 3-16 and $10 senior citizens.

South

Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati; www.cincymuseum.org or (513) 287-7000.

Includes the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, Cincinnati History Library/Archives, Edge of Appalachia Preserve, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, OMNImax Theater, Geier Collections/Research Center and Union Terminal.

Programs for kids include birthday parties, bright ideas art classes, day camps, a detective agency and explorers university.

Besides the above, the museum is offering a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit through mid-April. Ticket prices range from $10 to $23.

East

COSI, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus; www.cosi.org or (614) 228-2674.

The John Glenn Theater has an “extreme screen,” where you can view “Flying Monsters 3D” or “Sharks 3D.” Each takes about 40 minutes; see the website for show times.

Other features include “Adventure in the Valley of the Unknown,” “Lego Castle Adventure” (through Jan. 13) and exhibits areas such as Space, Ocean and Big Science Park.

Regular pricing ranges from $7.50 to $25. Special pricing on the last Friday night of each month: $9.95 for all ages 2 and up from 5 to 9 p.m. Adjacent parking lots take cash only, $5 per day.

West

Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridean St., Indianapolis; www.childrensmuseum.org or (317) 334-3322.

This venue stakes the claim of being the world’s largest children’s museum, with five floors of interactive exhibits regarding science, culture, history and the arts. January’s programs: Science Port, with staff-led investigations and follow-up online activities at home; Vendor Cart helps kids learn about Egyptian culture; and Anne’s Story about the wisdom of Anne Frank and the power of words.

Admission prices are $17.50 adults, $12.50 youth, and $16.50 for senior citizens.