Life at the Limits is comprised of 10 distinct subject areas, all of which make these plants and animals unique: reproducing, breathing, moving, sensing, eating, living in caves, enduring extremes, protecting and defying death. Each section features displays, videos, amazing models, interactive elements and even some live animals.

While exploring the exhibit, we discovered a huge variety of lifeforms that were completely new to us. We saw a replica of the Bowerbird with its unique mating ritual: the male builds a nest-like structure from various brightly colored flora, fauna and garbage to attract a mate. The intriguing, six-foot tall Titan Arum, a.k.a. the "Corpse Flower," emits a rotting flesh scent to attract pollinating insects. Other favorites included the incredible display of pale and mostly blind cave-dwellers that have evolved to create brand-new species.

My creature-obsessed son was thrilled to see an endangered Axolotl in the flesh. These creepy looking salamanders spend their whole lives underwater and are able to regrow entire limbs. There was also a tank with a Nautilus on display that illustrates how the multi-chambered mollusks moves, albeit slowly, by creating its own jet propulsion. Meanwhile, my favorite was the colorful Mantis shrimp, with two front limbs so strong it can shatter aquarium glass.

That said, the most incredibly bizarre animal in Life at the Limits is the microscopic Tardigrade. You can't miss the pair of horrifying monsters displayed at 200 billions times their normal size hanging overhead when you enter the exhibit hall. Indescribably ugly, with eight legs and a plastic-looking snout, these water-dwelling micro-animals can withstand some of the most extreme situations on earth, including dehydration, insane heat and cold, and incredible pressure. Some European scientists even launched these tough little guys into space for 12 days and they came back unscathed. Crazy, right? More than 1,000 species of tardigrades are found across the world in habitats that range from bubbling hot springs to holes in the Antarctic ice, and from the Himalayas to the deep ocean. These creepy critters will probably survive an apocalypse!

A highlight for kids is the fun, two-paneled, interactive game where they can watch themselves as they feed Mantis shrimp and a star-nosed mole, or try to grab a scallop and pet a skunk. Through exploration of several virtual environments and the use of guided gestures using whole-body, motion-sensing Microsoft Kinect technology, visitors will cause creatures to behave in ways consistent with some of their amazing abilities, highlighting why these creatures live life at the limits.

The great thing about this exhibit is that it is accessible for all ages. While my 10-year-old was able to pick and choose what he found interesting and go for a deeper dive by reading all the explanatory panels, younger kids will enjoy the interactive game, climbing on the enormous Hercules beetle and seeing the live critters.

Life at the Limits is on view through Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street. It's free with General Admission Plus One: $27 for adults, $22 for students, $16 for children ages 2-12.

You can also find out about other great kid-friendly exhibits in our Museum Guide.