The Boston Children's Museum has encouraged kids to use curiosity and imagination since it opened in 1913. It features interactive exhibits that teach about the arts, culture, the environment, science, and health and fitness. The exhibits include an art studio where kids can make projects with their parents, a construction zone where kids can pretend to work on a building site, and a Japanese silk merchant's house that teaches about Japan's culture. Adults must accompany children under age 16.
Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210
617-426-6500
bostonchildrensmuseum.org
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has almost 450,000 items of art and dozens of collections, as of 2010. Items such as musical instruments from around the world should appeal to children, and the museum offers programs geared for kids and families. The red Family Art Cart, stationed in the Sharf Visitor Center, gives away self-guided activities like puzzles and ancient Egyptian mysteries for kids and parents to do together in the galleries. The cart, available two or three days a week, also offers sketch books, colored pencils and books. The museum also offers a family guide for seeing the museum through children's eyes and presents family-focused events such as art workshops all year.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-267-9300
mfa.org
The New England Aquarium offers children's activities such as the Sea Squirt program, a series of four classes for toddlers and preschoolers and their parents. The program includes art projects, games, songs and stories. The aquarium also sponsors field trips to aquatic habitats for kids age 5 and older and their parents. Plus, children can gaze at animals such as African penguins, jellyfish and Atlantic harbor seals, visit exhibits including an Amazon rain forest, and watch IMAX movies.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
617-973-5200
neaq.org
