Boston's Children's Museum was founded in 1913.
As early as 1913, it meant engaging youth in identifying and marking nature walks, preparing specimens, making clay and wax models for exhibits, and even attempting a working model of the metropolitan water system.
The 1920's and 1930's began an era of Museum sponsored clubs that gave children the opportunity to explore the unfamiliar with naturalist hikes and bus trips.
In the 1960's, Michael Spock (museum director 1962-85) led the institution in revolutionizing the traditional museum experience, getting objects out of cases and into children's hands in exhibit areas where children could interact, experiment, and follow their own curiosity. Hands-on learning is now a part of American education and we are proud to have had a "hand" in it from the beginning.
Today, after 90 years, the Boston Children's Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. As an early museum experience for children, our environment is informal, but our purpose is serious. We want children to grow up feeling secure and self-confident with respect for others and the natural world. We encourage imagination, curiosity, questioning, and realism. We provide opportunities for new insights, involvement with the world and understanding of human differences with world-class exhibits and programs.
Exhibits
The Boston Children's Museum pioneered the concept of interactive exhibitions used widely in museums today. Designed and built in-house, exhibits from the Boston Children's Museum have been replicated at prestigious institutions throughout the world. Exhibits focus on early childhood development and have three themes: arts, culture, and science.
Grown-Ups
Welcome to the Boston Children's Museum!
For 90 years, we have been a place where families go to play, laugh and grow together. Climb through a two-story maze, go on a reading adventure with Arthur™, see patterns in a bubble, visit a Boston neighborhood, travel to Japan or climb a rock wall!
Teacher Leadership Center
What is the TLC?
The Teacher Leadership Center continues the Museum's tradition of support for educators. After all, the Museum was founded in 1913 by Boston Public School teachers! Our mission is to support teachers who are implementing curriculum frameworks in multicultural classrooms in innovative ways.
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS
Free admission to the Museum at all times
20% discount at The Recycle Shop
10% discount at the Museum shop with your educator I.D.
and more benefits..
Call us for more information on benefits for teachers at 617-426-6500 x206
Family Membership
It's a Smart Deal! Your family will save money in just 2-3 visits. Plus- Great discounts! Access to over 200 museums!
Library membership
Interested in offering your library patrons a discount to the Museum? It is a great offer for your avid readers.
Opportunities for Business & Non-Profit
Give your clients, employees, partners and other families the chance to visit the Museum with our ticket packages.
Programs+Events
Host Your Event
Birthday Parties
After Hours Parties
Meeting Rooms
Camp
Overnights
Early Childhood
Health & Fitness
The Arts
Sciences
Culture
Whatever your age, Boston Children's Museum provides activities to spark your imagination.
Here you can celebrate your child's birthday with a magical throne and your own birthday room. Take your next corporate meeting out of the boardroom and into our private meeting space. Attend a family overnight and play all night long. You can even attend our annual benefit Great Friends to Kids Breakfast that celebrates today's champions for kids.
Through out the year, you can also attend one of our nationally recognized festivals or cultural programs.
If you are looking for something special you can find it here!
We are conviniently located from Brookline, Watertown, Newton, Needham, Natick, Framingham, Waltham, Malden, Lexington, Wellesley, Lincoln, South and North of Boston towns and cities.
