300 Congress St
617-426-8855
www.BostonKids.org
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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
