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Boston Children's Museum
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
308 Congress St(at Sleeper St)
Boston, MA 02210
Neighborhoods: Waterfront, South Boston
(617) 426-6500
- Nearest Transit:
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Congress St @ Sleeper St (448, 449, 459)
Congress St @ Sleeper St (448, 449, 459)
Summer St Opp Melcher St (4, 7)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
Fri 10 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
85 reviews for Boston Children's Museum
Review Highlights
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"We had lunch at Au Bon Pain which happens to be inside the..." In 9 reviews -
"...without a stop at the giant Hood milk bottle outside to get..." In 4 reviews -
"The climbing structure is still there, too." In 7 reviews
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85 reviews in English
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Review from nikki z.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 5/3/2012
Ok, so I promised the Manager I would re-yelp them when I returned home and was no longer irritated at their employee.
Honestly, this is one, if not the best Children's Museums I have ever been too. (well if coffee was allowed, it would be the BEST) The Museum consists of 3 or 4 (I can't recall) stories, which have multiple different "theme rooms" for the kids to walk in and get involved. There is a water room, bubbles room, store room (where you pretend you are shopping for food, ring up at the register, etc) a basketball room, a rock climbing room, a "Peep" room (but they sort of look like Angry Birds, so it's quite popular!) Also a construction room, a sandbox room, a building room, there are too many rooms to type! Also what I liked was most of the toys/stuff parents could play with too and get involved. There was a huge dance mat on the floor which played different games, the best is trying to out hop the red dot. There are small tire chairs that if you gently sit up and down constantly, a little ball inside a clear tube goes up in the air. Kids can pull themselves up by pulling on a rope tied to a chair (LegoLand has a ride exactly like this) so there are so many things here for kids to do, it's a definite 3 hour minimum day here!
A lot of fun things for the kids, but my one & only complaint is parents have to go to their cafe, and order/eat their food. I understand you don't want to be picking up after the slobs who do leave their garbage everywhere; but there are things called garbage cans, and usually most people use them:-) At least let us parents have our Starbucks! If you ask most what is coming first, getting to the Museum early, or Mom finishing her Triple Shot skinny Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte, the Latte is going to win EVERY TIME!!!!
Other than that this place is great, and had I found an affordable place to live while in Cambridge, I would not have come back to CA. I would be at this Museum right now!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/23/2012
Im here now, and let's just say the employee "Jessica" who let's you in is not my favorite person,… Read more »
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Review from Marie C.
Boston, MA
8/21/2011
This is the Louvre of Children's Museums..the absolute best we've ever experienced, and definitely worth a visit if you have kids under the age of 8 and are living in, or visiting the area.
A few housekeeping remarks: many libraries offer free or discounted admission to this museum, including the Boston Public Library - this is a good way to save some $..Also, they offer reciprocal admission if you have joined any other Children's Museum in the national family of Children's Museums (I used my San Jose Children's Museum membership recently to get in & didn't pay a dime..) Also check out their site for info. on their $1 admission after 4pm FR's..great way to have fun, and then walk over to Legal, The Barking Crab, or Sal de Terre for dinner across the bridge.
There are ample meters located on Congress Street - if you don't mind walking a few blocks, and these meters are free on Sundays. I live in the area and have never paid for a parking lot, so it's worth a drive around the block..but there is a good lot located on Farnsworth Street that costs $10 with a museum stamp, or $13 without..
Lastly - there are many great dining options in the area: Flour Bakery is on Farnsworth and so worth a visit..They offer amazing baked goods, soups, coffee, and sandwiches, and are kid friendly. There is a Dunkins on Congress, and an Au Bon Pain located in the museum with good kid's meals..or, you can bring your own lunch, eat in their cafe, or in the under 3 room on the 2nd floor which has a small cafe, microwave, fridge, and coffee machine (we often do this - it's rarely full, quiet, and has booster seats).
That said - the museum itself is awesome..Tons of creative ways for the kids to play. 3 levels of hands on, multi-faceted play...bubbles, water and sand tables, riding on a jet plane or school bus, or doing experiments with gravity - it's all here..also, they have several live animals like turtles and snakes and a free art activity daily...and, free plays daily... Let's see - an amazing climbing structure, construction zone, Arthur, Peep, and Wizard of Oz exhibits, and a kick ass view of the city..
Enough said -- you should go & see for yourself - your kids will thank you! -
Review from Kevin H.
Dedham, MA
4/8/2012
Went here with my kids the other day, and I have to say the time flew by. I only needed about 4 hours to kill and at the end of the 4 hours, I wished I had more time. My kids were mesmerized the entire time they were there and were so thankful for me taking them there.
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Review from Kristine M.
West Newton, MA
8/19/2011
If you go to one museum while visiting Boston, this should be it. Forget the aquarium or the Museum of Science -- this one is way more fun with cheaper admission prices. It's great for all ages, from little babies (they have an area just for crawlers) to grown-ups. It's just...cool. It has tons of hands-on exhibits to keep kids entertained. Everything is clean and less chaotic than I anticipated. There are also bathrooms and changing tables aplenty.
If the weather's nice, pack a picnic or grab some lunch to eat on the picnic tables outside or get some ice cream from the giant milk bottle.
If you have kids under the age of 3, prepare to spend a good chunk of time in the play area. It's all very age appropriate, and you don't have to worry about your tot getting pushed over by older kids. -
Review from Cobra K.
Colorado Springs, CO
6/12/2011
This place is expensive but I think overall, worth it. They have three levels and multiple rooms on each floor for different activities. Come and after you pay the entry fee, go to the lockers, just next to the lunch area and drop off unnessary stuff.
You'll be chasing the little ones around for hours! Free entry for Active Duty Military. No discounts for family though. -
Review from Jamie H.
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy cow do they have things for kids and adults. I really enjoyed my time as did my three year old niece. I think my favorite area was the "Power play" where you could watch your own power from riding a bike light up and power a sign. Also I liked the Japanese house alot.
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Review from Michael J.
Seattle, WA
7/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was here on 7-29-11.
Another place I stopped at while I was on vacation with my neice & nephew.
This children's museum is located in the heart of Boston . It's an eye catcher so you def won't miss seeing it. It's located on Children's Wharf along the Fort Point Channel. Parking is a pain in the butt though.
I honestly didn't know what to expect coming here. My neice & nephew sure did though! The New Balance climbing tower/tube/contraption was def what they were looking for! Kid's get addicted to it, & I can see why. It looks like it's pretty addictive. This museum also has children's shows in which they can participate in throughout the day.
There's way too many exhibits to name but just a few that we experienced with the kids were Arthur & Friends, The Common, & Science Playground. There's something here that every kids will love. Just be prepared to deal with all the people who come here. The place is popular to put it lightly.
The employees are pretty helpful & watchful of the children also. Amazingly there's no clutter around for the amount of exhibits, etc that they have. The place is clean.
All in all, there's something here for every kid here. It's a fun & engaging experience for all kids. What parent doesn't love to see their kid having a blast?
Try it out if you're ever in Boston. -
Review from Bethany S.
Boston, MA
5/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The Boston Children's Museum is a great place to spend the day (with children, or course.) There is a bubble room, a dance room, a climbing wall, water play area, etc. There is a special baby/toddler room that has many things to do. There is even a brand new "Wizard of Oz" exhibit that is pretty awesome.
It would be nice if they had a parking lot, or validated parking, though. Like most places in downtown Boston, all the garages nearby charge an arm and a leg. Street parking is damn near impossible to find.
It might be worth considering the train. -
Review from Jeremy K.
11/29/2010
4 stars and a sure, thats what kids do.
so on saturday among turkey jaded lenses, we decided to head on out to the city to the east, and take in some kid culture. ok, playing on a water table and throwing sand on the ground isnt really culture, but hey, give the kid a break, hes only two!
MTA FTW yet again yelpers, i smell a list somewhere in this. free for mer and me, 12 bucks for little champie, 10 bucks to park. plenty of fun other yelpie type of activities in the area, but when its cold and he becomes cranky, sleep sleep, its time to leave without exploring.
youve been here as a kid, your done it on a field trip i bet, remember the giant hood bottle? still here.
good times, plenty for kids to do, but i will say the older the kid, the more inclined you should be to come here, most of it was lost on our toddler.
last word, get here early or deal with the crowds. -
Review from Manny R.
Santa Barbara, CA
Great stop before the airport, Specially with a 6 hour flight ahead! Get the energy out of the little ones !
great places to eat around (plan ahead the restaurants with in walking distance are crowded with families) -
Review from Thom H.
Portland, ME
10/16/2011
Loved it when I was a kid and now my kids love it. Reasonably priced and well-curated with many activities and plenty of space. Only disappointment is that the "recycling store" now only sells designer totes made from recycled materials versus the weird and wonderful industrial leftovers they sold when I was a kid.
Comment from Jo-Anne B. of Boston Children's Museum 10/28/2011
Thank you for your comment about The Recycle Shop. After… More » -
Review from K D.
Silver Spring, MD
7/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was our first time at the Boston Children's museum. I've heard it was good, and it didn't disappoint! The climbing apparatus in the middle of the entryway was worth at least 20 minutes of fun, and the room with the golf balls was also a big hit. The construction room was also very neat.
I also liked how the parents can sit and keep an eye on the kids while they're on the climbing apparatus.
We went with another family & had kids from 4 to 9... and they all loved it. I hope we'll get back there again before out kids get too old to enjoy. -
Review from Aditi R.
3/14/2011
What a fun place! And this coming from a 20-something year old. I'll be honest, going with my little sister is simply an excuse.
I miss being a kid whenever I step into this place. Bubbles, tic tac toes, playing with sand, shadows, puzzles, large blocks, to name a few, are the highlights of this place. What surprises me is how clean this place is even with so many kids running around all day long. The staff is very good about keeping things straight and constantly keeping a watch. It's easy to navigate and the open spaces make it fairly easy to track your kid should you lose track of them when you're trying to catch a breath (because lets face it, kids just have wayyy more energy than us adults..yes even a 20-something year old).
I love that they make it easy for adults to participate with the kids so that they don't get bored while only the kids are having fun. For that and for all that it has to offer in terms of fun and learning activities, it's a favorite museum of mine in Boston :) -
Review from Abdulrahman A.
Watertown, MA
5/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Friday $1 offer is really nice.
Love it. -
Review from Brian B.
Boston, MA
9/18/2007 ROTD 10/21/2007
I can't believe I'm writing this review. I only wish I still could write a review panning Avalon or some other overrated, "cool," "funky" club, but, alas, those days are long gone.
But, hey!!!! This place is like a rave for parents and kids!!!!!!!! That's right!!!
Okay. Not really. But I am over the age of 10 and I LOVE it...
So does my 14-month old boy. He loves it to the point of crapping in his pants he loves it so much. Wait. That's more of a biological condition at his age than emotional reaction. Regardless, I can tell he loves it - he can drool, crawl, attempt to walk, and fall down all over the place without risk of much permanent damage (you still need to watch your child - it's not a free pass). They even have free activities and classes. Wooo hoooo!!!!!!!!
Pre-renovation, this place was outdated, drab, and, frankly, depressing. Now, it's bright, friendly, and inviting. If you and your youngster are inquisitive, adventurous, and active, go here. You'll find other like-minded people. It's also a good place to "hit on" other couples. Not the swinging type of "hit on," either. I'm talking about more of a friendly, new-parents-let-us-and-our-kids-have-a-playdate-ki nda-thing. If you don't know about it, you will when you have kids....
Here's a tip - become a member. It'll cost you up front, but when there's a line out the door, you get the Presidential treatment with access to the express "Members Only" line and your own private visiting hours. You'll vacillate on this point next time you're waiting on line - don't. Just get it. It's worth it - particularly when all of the little humans run around screaming and crying because they can't emote the excitement and anticipation they're feeling. Think of it as an investment in your sanity. Matter of fact - when you are expecting, put this membership on your registry. -
Review from Pete S.
Somerville, MA
9/29/2006 ROTD 11/14/2006
The Museum of Children has a long way to go. Instead of learning about the history of children like I was expecting, I walked into this maze of malfunctioning audio-animatronic mannequins running around in circles, putting things in their mouths, and -- get this -- asking me, the visitor, all kinds of questions.
And they weren't at all even relevant questions to the study of children, but rather some random rapid-fire jumble of topics like "How come, um, your shirt's green?," "Are we going to go potty soon? 'Cause I have to go," and "What's, um, can we go to the playground after this?"
I went to a museum for this?
Suggestions:
* Fix the displays so they scream less.
* Post interpretive text. One of the exhibits threw a cup at me. I guess this was a demonstration of some kind, but of what?
* All the examples they had looked like 21st-century Boston children. What, they didn't have children in ancient Rome, or the ice age? Not a single mastodon toy was in evidence.
If you're looking for a museum about children, I'm not sure where to tell you to go. All I know is, I left this one not having learned very much at all. -
Review from Jef S.
3/18/2008
I'm going to be in the minority here, but I hate the Children's Museum. Why? you ask. It's so much fun! It brings back all my memories of childish whimsy!
That's sort of the point. I've noticed that quite a few of the reviews talk about how great it was to be a kid here back in the day. But as a parent bringing your kid here today...well, the museum has a long way to go.
Pros:
Bubble room and water room are pretty cool. But the Providence CM has a water room that's even better.
Admission is usually pretty cheap.
The new addition to the building has definitely opened things up from the awful layout of yesteryear.
Cons:
The awful layout has just been added onto, not changed.
Too many stairs for little kids.
Roaming hordes of children locked in hierarchical tribal warfare make for difficult passage among exhibits and keeps a constant screaming wail of noise. Honestly, it's like the end of "Lord of the Flies" in there. If you are a migraine sufferer like yours truly, AVOID.
THERE'S NOWHERE TO BUY FOOD IN HERE. Shocking. Little kids need to eat.
Seating area for eating (...of that food you brought in yourself) is awful and crowded.
Too many stairs, not enough elevators.
Lastly, this is not a good place to bring a small child around toddler age. I would wait until junior is at least 4 or 5 so s/he doesn't get trampled, hit, or pushed into the bubble tub.
Never again...at least, not for a few years.
And somehow, with less funding, the Providence CM does such a better job. It all comes down to crowd control. The Boston CM will always be an overcrowded zoo. I don't intend on coming back here unless I'm forced at gunpoint.Listed in: Boston: Living in the…
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Review from Tori G.
North Andover, MA
2/13/2008
Love the Children's Museum! I have so many warm and fuzzy memories about going here as a little one!
I always loved/was scared out of my mind of the huge jungle gym maze thing, but it's an awesome feature.
The Bubble Room is awesome, and I used to love the futuristic Japanese subway car that you used to be able to sit in. And I REALLY loved the whole Japanese garden and house they had there too.
I give it only a 4 star review because along with the Aquarium here in Boston, they're pretty small spaces.
Oh! And a trip to the Children's Museum was never complete without a stop at the giant Hood milk bottle outside to get some soft serve vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone!
Ahhhhh childhood, those were the days....! -
Review from Alex C.
Boston, MA
3/23/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This place knows what they're doing. Spacious for strollers, restrooms everywhere, bakery on the first floor, and large space to eat packed lunch...there are great combinations of physical activities and sit-down educational opportunities.
The Children's Museum is expensive, and does get really crowded. There are ways around it, though. Cambridge public library offers coupons, and the museum offers reduced-rate days. I've gone at those times and we had the whole place to ourselves. Plan to stay at least two hours. Love their toddler room as well. -
Review from Laura M.
Decatur, GA
11/27/2006
I went to the Children's Museum for their $1 Friday nights deal with the bf this past Friday, and we had fun. Little kids ran up and knocked over our chess pieces on the giant chessboard while we were trying to play, but it was cute. The soap bubbles could use a little more glycerine in the bubble mix to make them hold together better, but they were still fun. The Blue Man Group exhibits with the theremin and other weird musical instruments were also cool. Everything seemed slightly broken, but they are in the process of remodeling, and everything in there is continuously mauled by children, so I'll overlook that. I just wish I was small enough to climb around in the tunnels and stuff.
The Recycle Shop was also really neat; it made me wish I was more crafty. I may go back if I find myself in need of a huge bag of ribbon pieces and upholstery samples.
All in all, not the best museum I've been to, or even the best children's museum I've been to, but it was cheaper than a T token, so you gotta love that. A fun diversion on a night when all our friends were out of town.Listed in: Yelp finds, Culture Club
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Review from Ned S.
Boston, MA
4/10/2010
First off, admission is but $1 on 'Target' Fridays 5-9PM. And they don't cut staff and services at these times. Instructors, characters, and stage shows abound.
This place is large, well-run, educational and loads of fun (according to my 4-year-old).
Much to challenge young minds, from changing exhibitions (Curious George current workshops) to permanent features, like the three-story high New Balance Climb. A cool climbing sculpture of platforms, ropes and carpets spanning the height of the museum glass atrium lobby. Parents can safety accompany their children's trek vicariously via the adjacent stairway.Listed in: Be a Boston Culture Hound for…
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Review from Jessica R.
Boston, MA
2/23/2009
I took my nephew here over the weekend and I was fairly impressed. I agree that the layout isn't the best for crowds of children (play/exhibit items in some of the rooms are WAY too close together), but honestly the movement and commotion is no worse than taking a kid to the playground at a popular park like Boston Common. My nephew absolutely loved everything, a lot of the exhibits double as educational and I thought it was well worth the trip.
Be careful in the area with all the golf balls though! They really need to figure out a way to make that room safer. He narrowly avoided getting knocked in the head twice. A few kids were doing reckless things with the golf balls, and even if the parents should be monitoring that, let's face it - sometimes they don't, and the museum should take that into account. -
Review from Tani S.
9/27/2009
This is one of our favorite children's museums. Our 2 year old does enjoy it more than the Chicago (Kohl's) children museum but the San Jose Discovery museum was better in both hers and our minds.
It does tend to be quite crowded when we go (due to many inclement weather days in Boston) but we appreciate the discounted admission with library passes.
Our daughter particularly loves the Haitian/Latin area with the grocery store, drums, and car (although the beauty salon does scare her); the playspace targeted for younger children; the sand and water play area; bubbles; and the construction zone.
We'll definitely be regular guests as the weather turns cold and rainy/snowy :) -
Review from Kristine D.
Mountain View, CA
3/18/2008
We took the kids here during a visit to Grandma's house and it was GREAT! Even my biggest kid (meaning my husband) enjoyed himself. I really liked how well-rounded the exhibits in this museum were. Not only was it possible for kids to explore science, gravity and art as they do at our local children's museum, Boston's version also offered opportunities to explore other cultures. Children learn about diversity in the "Boston Black" exhibit and about Japanese culture in the museum's 100-year-old Japanese house, a gift from Boston's sister city, Kyoto. The place sparks imagination like nobody's business, take your kids today!
To plan your visit, go to:
http://www.bostonchild...Listed in: Give Into Your Wanderlust…
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Review from Jack M.
Boston, MA
8/10/2009
Holy crazy fun time, Batman!
Remember this museum when you were a kid? All I remember is the giant glasses and giant mug. And some bubble play-area.
This place is seriously AWESOME now. Excellent place to take your kids that will tire them out in no time flat.
If you work it right - you can get in for free. Family passes from a friend or maybe your local library has them for free. I've never paid to go here.
Kids LOVE it. There's a golf-ball room which is always abuzz with activity - slides and ramps and tons of golf balls whizzing around. Kids love it. Bubble room - with smocks for the kids - they tire of that quickly. On to - a water-play room with cups and spinner things and funnels. Next to that is the sand area - one dry one wet. Toddler room has stuff for the smaller tykes to climb around in and explore. Construction place has more stuff to climb in, blocks to play with. Kid-power area has stuff to push and pull and, yes, more climbing. Did I mention the enormous 3-floor netted climbing behemoth in the center of the place?
This place is truly awesome. Kids love it. They go bezerk and you just let'em run wild and try not to kill anyone along the way. Gift shop is nice - kids get to play with stuff there. The attached Au Bon Pain isn't too bad for lunch. You can kill a lotta time here - and wear out the kids at the same time.Listed in: Boston Tourist Traps, Lame List for Listing Lamers
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Review from Anya S.
4/20/2009
Pretty good spot for your cranky toddler. Ages 3-7, Id say will have the most fun. Older kids would prefer the science museum
Its a little crowded, and the food court could be improved, but the kids will chow on their goldfish, so they are happy.
Not a bad deal for a rainy day. They got a few cool things, especially the climbing thing on the first floor, but be careful, dont loose your kid in the net. The exhibits are good, child friendly and overall will be enjoyed by your little person.
They also got shows, a pig show with the kids participating and another show, I had to suffer though it. I forget what its called, but it was mostly for the parents, one of those make sure your kids is sleeping, eating veggies and brushing their teeth lecture. I dont know why thy advertise it as for the kids, its more like Dept of Children and Families mandatory class for crackheads on what to do to keep the kid (in your custody:)) -
Review from Robyn R.
Boston, MA
8/15/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The Children's museum is great - it definitely gets crowded on the weekends, summer and school vacations, but they make it work! The wizard of oz exhibit is up now and is really cool. Of course, I feel like it's not nearly as cool as when I was a kid in the 80's.....but what is?? The climbing structure is still there, too!
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Review from John B.
Westport, CT
Big and well funded with great options for kids of all ages. This is a must stop for family travel in Boston and for those seeking a unique water view of Downtown Boston as the vantage is wonderful. The water room and sand room is an amazing somatic experience and the bubble room is a blast even for the child at heart!
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Review from Sheila S.
3/21/2010
So I don't have kids, but I volunteered here for a school event.
All I can say is that where I'm from it's sunny all year so you can use the pool to wear the kids out and put them to sleep. In Boston, this would be the next-best thing.
AND the Boston Black exhibit is WAYYYY cooler than it sounds. I thought it was a really well-executed celebration of diversity without being boring. -
Review from Diana B.
New York, NY
2/12/2006
We spent a few hours between trains, as it's near the railway station, and enjoyed it immensely.
Our son was then around 10.
We got in for free, too, as it was an hour before closing time. -
Review from Tammy L.
Boston, MA
4/27/2008
Just took my cousin here today and he was wild. At first I was kind of worried that he'd be a little too old and didn't think blowing bubbles would be fun. But he really enjoyed himself. I think he liked blowing bubbles and Boats Afloat the most. On the other hand, I liked looking at the Japanese house. The kimono on display was gorgeous! And I'm impressed by how they assembled the house in the museum.
We had lunch at Au Bon Pain which happens to be inside the museum. Think twice about going there. The lines are crazy and a lot of people were confused as to where they're supposed to order their sandwiches (There are signs that say 'Please order here' but people don't read them...) but they've got a kids menu.
Check out the museum shop too. Pretty cute stuff inside! -
Review from Erin G.
Fairfax, VA
3/10/2006
Again i will point out that when you get free museum passes from BPL opens up a world of great museum opportunities. I visited this museum last summer and it was full of kids running around and screaming. i could relate, the children's museum is so cool, even though i was about 15 years too late to crawl around the huge construction zone and make huge bubbles, i watched gleefully. well i got in the action too, who am i kidding? there was a cool hispanic market - you could hang out in el salon, or buy some arroz y frijoles in el mercado.
it's very interactive and satisfies diverse interests - whether you're joven or viejo you'll find something that sparks your inner nino.Listed in: Tourist Guide to Boston
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Review from Oh Y.
Kailua, HI
6/15/2008
If you ask my daughter to rate this place she'd give it 10 stars plus an asteroid. I give it 3 because it appeared to be in need of renovation, it was missing a bunch of props, noticed especially in the Berenstain Bears section. This could be a destination of greatness with just a little care, but like I said if the kids love it what business do I have reviewing it?
Highlights:
*The climbing monstrosity at the entrance. Be prepared to spend some time with your neck craned as you watch your flesh and blood climb higher, and higher (don't worry, there's a safety net) , and higher.....kids love this thing.
*The bubble "wet" room with its surface tension experiments - be sure to pack a change of clothing or at least a towel.
*The carpentry workshop - build a boat with real tools. -
Review from Romulo R.
Having two toddlers on a day trip to Boston, this was one of the places I felt we should see. It also helped that in the day of their visit it was a rainy afternoon perfect for indoor activities.
Finding the museum was very easy thanks to their directions. We took mass transit, and since we were taking Amtrak back to their home, this was a great last stop in our trip.
We got a year family membership, which is a great deal if you plan to visit frequently, furthermore, there are other children's museum in the US that will accept your membership (see details at http://www.bostonchild... ). This place is big, so I would recommend that on your first visit you give yourself 3-4 hours (depending on how fast your children tire). There is a cafeteria and they request that all eating (even snacks you bring) be eaten in the Cafeteria.
the exhibits are quite imaginative and engaging. Just letting the children go to town, with a little help sometimes can let them use their own powers of reasoning to see how things work.
This was a great attraction, definitely the most educational of the children's museums we have been to, and I hope to return often. -
Review from Ambrose C.
Boston, MA
3/5/2010 2 photos
I remember coming here a few times either for school field trips or summer camp trips. The last time I went to the Boston Children's Museum, I was eight years old, and I remembered playing around at the climbing structure currently called the "New Balance Climb", which is a three story structure made from a giant net, and rug-covered platforms. I had a great time over there and a lot of fun memories as a kid.
Sixteen years later, I returned with a group of friends to celebrate a friend's 24th birthday. Did I have a great time there again? Oh yeah! My inner child quickly returned as I began to explore the exhibits. On Friday nights, (as of March, 2010) between 5:00PM-9:00PM the admission fee is $1, so we took advantage of that, although there were a lot of people there. I had a good time at the Science Playground, from rolling golf balls down the tracks to creating bubbles. I also liked the Kid Power exhibit, especially the rock climbing section. A great challenge to try to get to the other side.
Would I come back again with my friends? Definitely! This is a place that I would recommend to first time visitors to Boston that have kids in their party, especially if they are in Boston for a Friday night to take advantage of the $1 admission. -
Review from Su-shien C.
Phoenix, AZ
5/4/2010
This place is a little hard to get to for an out of towner from Phoenix (where the land is flat and the roads in a grid) without a GPS system no less!
But we were determined to get there since we had heard this place was incredible.
So was it incredible? Let's just say, there's three stories of fun for the, hmmm, kids and the "kid in you".
And well, I don't always practice what I preach.
Yes, I tell my kid to take turns and share but at this museum, I was not sharing or taking turns . . . even with my own kid ; )
It was that much fun! -
Review from Geoff T.
Somerville, MA
8/12/2005
I've been going here since it was appropriate to do so. Now that it may not be, I still go.
Blow bubbles, get into a giant coffee mug, play electronic instruments, see yourself represented in flashing lazer-like lights on a big screen. This place has it all. If you are an adult and feeling a little weird about going, no looks at you twice, so don't. If you have a kid or a little cousin in town, bring them here. Unlike a Barney video it's something everyone will enjoy.
$1 admissioon on fridays! -
Review from Robin J.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Updated - 6/28/2008
I went here recently and discovered that the music room was GONE, replaced by an exhibit about China. The China exhibit was extremely boring and nobody was even remotely interested in anything in there.
Also, a lady kicked us out of the recycling store before it was supposed to close because she was "hawngry", and there were lots of broken tools in the area with hand saws and screwdrivers and the like. That's flat out dangerous, dude.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2008
I take the kids I nanny and babysit for here a few times a year. I always have a good time; they… Read more »
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Review from Shawna L.
Nashua, NH
7/11/2011
My husband, son, in laws and I all had a good time here last fall. Not too expensive and hours of entertainment. The bubble room is my favorite and the construction and water/sand rooms were everyone else's. The view is amazing and that climbing contraption is just so cool. When it starts to get cooler we'll be back.
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Review from Jamie G.
4/13/2011 6 Check-ins Here
The only reason I come here is because I nanny for a family who has a family membership. If I had my own kids, I would most likely not come here unless someone gave me a free membership or I got free passes from somewhere. The museum is terribly over priced for what it is. The climbing structure is nice if you have older kids, and the baby/toddler room is decent for younger kids, but really the whole museum geared for probably 3-6 year olds. All the rooms/displays are very "fake" looking, though they do try to be educational and fun at the same time, I'm not sure how successful they are at both.
