The National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo has drawn more than 20,000 visitors to a new scientific exhibition aimed at preschoolers since it opened mid-July.

A natural science museum targeted mainly at 4- to 6-year-old children is rare, but it has already drawn a number of repeat visitors.

The main exhibits near the entrance to the gallery include a restored Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and a stuffed polar bear. They are part of the museum's permanent collection.

The area has been equipped with items enabling children to learn by playing. In one place, they can pass through a tunnel that allows them to examine the skeleton from its stomach. They can also get close to the model by crossing a suspension bridge or going down a slide.

The organizers have also prepared various tasks for the children to perform, such as "find a polar bear cub."

Young visitors have also been given a chance to participate in various workshops held by the museum staff, such as one that allows them to learn about the differences between human and animal skeletal systems. At a session in August, the staff explained the structure of horse teeth using a model of a horse's skull.

The exhibition opened July 14.

Also available to read are illustrated books that researchers affiliated with the museum read during childhood, along with other books recommended for children.

"Preschool-aged children have constituted nearly 10 percent of the total number of visitors to the museum, as none of the exhibitions previously held at the museum were targeted at children of this age group," said Koichi Kubo, who is in charge of the exhibition. "We would like to support similar exhibitions in other galleries in the future."