300
Congress St.
617-426-8855
www.BostonKids.org
Targeted for kids ages
0-10, on rainy days the Children’s Museum sounds just like a
playground. But it’s much more than just a place to entertain
young ones – it’s three floors of fun in a safe and
educational environment.
Just a sampling of
exhibits follows. Most of these are hands-on: Boats Afloat is
the biggest bathtub opportunity ever. Clean water complete with
currents, and lots of boats for kids to race and bob around. A
related exhibit is Under the Dock – a look at Boston Harbor
from beneath the surface. Kids can crawl around and inside the
creatures that live in the murky depths. In the Construction
Zone, kids and parents turn into instant builders. Try driving
one of those Bobcats and you’ll see. Teen Tokyo transforms you
through a subway ride into a Japanese teenager. Discover the
culture of these young Asians.
Grandparent’s Attic is a
tour through the fifties, culminating in a chance to play dress
up. At the opposite end of the third floor, hidden away in a
quiet spot is the Japanese House. This is a great place to catch
your breath amidst the simple beauty of Japanese architecture
and décor. For the other pole in noise level, try the Playspace,
a special area reserved for parents and children 4 and under to
interact.
There’s plenty more
here. For children 8 and older, there is a two-story maze to
climb. Recently reconstructed to high safety standards, the maze
is a great way for kids to stretch their independence muscles
– adults can’t fit inside. Elsewhere is a Native American
display of a wigwam (known by the Wampanoag as a wetu), and
other items from the past. A contemporary kitchen is also part
of the exhibit. In the Raceways in the Science Playground the
balls speed quicker than the eye. The Bubble Room is fun for
everyone.
It can get crowded,
particularly when the weather is bad, but there are so many
stations scattered everywhere that kids easily find something to
occupy their hands. In the Recycle Shop, you’ll find bins and
boxes full of recycled materials, all for you. Your kids can
take whatever strikes their fancy, for use at home on little
projects.
The Museum offers
resources to parents and teachers, and special events. On the
ground floor is a large, well-stocked gift shop. Do some
shopping now and tuck those items away for a rainy day.
Hours:
Daily 10 – 5
Friday 10 – 9
Closed Thanksgiving and
Christmas
Admission:
Children 2 –15: $6.00
Adults: $7.00
1-yr-olds: $2.00
Under 1: Free
Fridays 5 – 9 p.m.: all
visitors admitted for $1.00
CHILDREN'S
MUSEUM
ATTRACTIONS
