The 7 Best Kid-Friendly Museums in Boston
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There is so much to do with kids in Boston, including zoos, fun tours, an aquarium, and museums of all kinds. In this post, we are concentrating on museums and have come up with our favorites to give you the best kid-friendly museums in Boston, Massachusetts.
These Boston museums for kids are must-sees when you are in the city with children.
No matter what age children you are with or whether they like science, American history, natural history, or just plain fun and games, there is a museum in Boston for every age and interest.
The best museums for kids in Boston, Massachusetts
There is so much to do in Boston, but their fantastic museums are not something to miss while you’re visiting the city. Be sure to put at least one of these great stops on your itinerary the next time you’re in the Boston area.
Boston Museum of Science
When you are looking for museums for kids in Boston, Massachusetts, the Museum of Science is a must-do for children of all ages.
Enjoy hands-on exhibits, discover how lightning works, go inside a model of a space capsule, dioramas, and so much more!
How Much Does it Cost to Go to the Boston Museum of Science?
Admission is $29 for adults and children 12+, $25 for seniors aged 60+, $24 for children aged 3-11, and children two and under are free.
You can get a discount by purchasing the Boston CityPASS or the Go Boston Explorer Pass, which includes tickets to multiple attractions. A multi-pass is an easy and economical way to get admission to Boston’s best kids’ activities.
**Double-check the included attractions before purchasing as they may change.
Is the Museum of Science Boston Good for Toddlers?
The Museum of Science is the perfect destination for kids of all ages. There are some exhibits that we wouldn’t recommend for toddlers, such as the lighting show, which has some loud, sudden noises, but toddlers will enjoy most of the exhibits at the museum.
How Long Does it Take to Go Through the Boston Museum of Science?
The Boston Museum of Science is quite large, with many different types of exhibits to explore.
There are special exhibits, Omni and 4D films, and a Planetarium in addition to the general admission exhibits. Plan to spend a minimum of 3-4 hours seeing the whole museum.
Does the Boston Museum of Science Have Parking?
Yes. There is a parking garage at the museum for an hourly fee. Check for directions and parking fees.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
What child doesn’t love LEGO? At LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the kids will have the time of their lives playing in this indoor LEGO playground.
Take flight on the Merlin’s Apprentice ride, be wowed in the 4D cinema, explore Boston’s most iconic landmarks in Miniland, take a LEGO factory tour, and more.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
Admission for guests aged three and up starts at $22.99. Children two and under are free.
You can get a discount by purchasing the Go Boston Explorer Pass. Get access to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and 3, 4, or 5 other attractions at one low price. Another advantage to buying an Explorer Pass is that you don’t have to make an online reservation in advance.
A multi-pass is an economical way to get admission to Boston’s best kids’ activities if you are local or going to be in town for a few days.
**Double-check the included attractions before purchasing as they may change.
What Age Range is the Boston LEGOLAND Discovery Center Good For?
Most exhibits at the Discovery Center are suitable for children aged 3-10. Toddlers will enjoy the Duplo Farm, which is geared toward children aged 2-5.
All adults must be accompanied by a child aged 17 or younger.
How Long Does it Take to go Through LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
Allow for approximately 2-3 hours to see all of the exhibits.
Does LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston Have Parking?
Yes. There is a parking garage, which is free for the first three hours. The garage entrance is on Artisan Way.
Boston Children’s Museum
If you visit the city with toddlers or young children, they will love the Boston Children’s Museum. There isn’t a shortage of fun to be had here.
Visit the bubble room, build a fort, explore motion by rolling balls down the raceway tracks, dig, climb, and build in the Construction Zone, and so much more.
How Much Does the Boston Children’s Museum Cost?
General admission is $18 for adults and children. Infants under 12 months are free but require a ticket.
With a Go Boston Explorer Pass, you can access the Children’s Museum as well as access to 3, 4, or 5 other attractions at one low price.
**Double-check the included attractions before purchasing as they may change.
What Ages are Best for the Boston Children’s Museum?
The Boston Children’s Museum is geared toward younger children and is best for children ages 2-9. If you have an older child in your family, they will still enjoy some of the exhibits.
How Long Does it Take to go Through the Boston Children’s Museum?
The average visit to the museum is approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Where Do You Park at the Boston Children’s Museum?
The Children’s Museum doesn’t have a dedicated parking lot or garage, but they do offer validation for several local garages. Check for locations and prices.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Natural history museums are always a lot of fun for kids, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History isn’t an exception.
Explore our natural world, both past a present, by exploring what life is like in other parts of the world, such as Africa, Central and South America, and Asia, as well as our very own New England forests.
Also, discover birds and prehistoric mammals and learn about climate change, earth and planetary science, and more.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to the Harvard Museum of Natural History?
The natural history museum is free for current Harvard ID holders (plus a guest), Massachusetts K-12 teachers, and Massachusetts EBT cardholders.
Massachusetts residents get in free on Sunday mornings (year-round) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (September through May).
A valid ID and proof of residency are required for free admission.
Admission for all other guests is $15 for adults, $10 for children & youth aged 3-18, $13 for seniors aged 65+, $10 non-Harvard students (with ID), and children two and under are free.
Admission to the natural history museum also includes admission to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology.
You can get a discount by purchasing either the Boston CityPASS or the Go Boston Explorer Pass, which includes admission to 3, 4, or 5 other attractions at one low price. A multi-pass is an easy and economical way to get admission to Boston’s best kids’ museums.
**Double-check the included attractions before purchasing as they may change.
What Age Range is the Harvard Museum of Natural History Best For?
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is suited for children of all ages, though children over the age of 6 will likely get the most enjoyment out of all of the exhibits.
How Long Does it Take to Go Through the Natural History Museum?
The average visit to the museum is approximately 2 hours. The price of admission also includes the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, so you will want to allow a few more hours if you want to visit both museums.
Where Can You Park at the Harvard Natural History Museum?
The museum doesn’t have a designated parking garage, but there are several options for parking at HMNH, but all parking options are limited, so plan accordingly.
- There is permit parking at nearby university-run garages for $10 to $19 per pass. You must purchase a parking pass ahead of time.
- Parking is available at one of the commercial parking garages in Harvard Square. The museum does not validate parking.
- There is also metered parking nearby. The meters have a two-hour limit and only accept quarters. On-street parking is free on Sundays.
USS Constitution Museum
Explore living history aboard “Old Ironsides.” The USS Constitution ship and museum is a fun destination for adults and kids of most ages.
Learn about the War of 1812 through interactive exhibits and games. Examine the artifacts, photographs, and paintings that tell the story of “Old Ironsides,” and even scrub the deck and eat a meal of salted meat like the sailors who were aboard the ship would have more than 200 years ago.
How Much Does it Cost to Tour the USS Constitution?
It is free to board the USS Constitution, but ID and a security inspection are required for guests over 18.
To keep the museum open, the suggested museum admission price is $10 – $15 for Adults and $5 – $10 for Children.
With a Go Boston Explorer Pass, you get admission to the Children’s Museum and access to 3, 4, or 5 other attractions at one low price.
**Double-check the included attractions before purchasing as they may change.
What Age Range is the USS Constitution Museum Suitable For?
Children of all ages will enjoy being aboard the ship and exploring the museum, though ages five and up will get the most out of the experience.
How Long Does it Take to See the USS Constitution?
The ship offers 30-minute tours. Allow 2-3 hours to see both the ship and the museum.
Is There Parking at the USS Constitution Ship and Museum?
Parking is available in the Nautica Parking Garage located at 88 Constitution Road, Boston, MA. Check for directions and current parking rates.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Experience the Boston Tea Party Museum as if you were really there. Children will love going on replicas of the ships that they learned about in school.
Your family will be fully immersed in the experience through interactive exhibits, historical interpreters, and artifacts.
Step back to 1773 when you enter the meeting house, then visit the tea party ships and Griffin’s Wharf. Experience a 3D reenactment and more.
How Much Does the Boston Tea Party Museum cost?
General admission to tour the museum and ships is $29.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 5-12. There are also upgrade packages available for multiple area attractions.
Is the Boston Tea Party Museum Fun For Kids?
The Tea Party Museum is fun for kids of all ages, especially if they are into American History.
How Long Does it Take to Tour the Tea Party Museum?
A tour of the museum and ships will take about an hour to an hour and a half. Add some extra time if you stay for tea.
Where Do you Park for the Boston Tea Party Museum?
Parking is available at the Farnsworth Street Garage and the Stillings Street Garage. Museum visitors can have their parking validated for $2 off.
Paul Revere House
Visit the home of Paul Revere and see how this early American hero lived.
How Much Does the Paul Revere House Cost?
General admission to tour the museum and ships is $6.00 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and students, and $1.00 for children ages 5-17.
Is the Paul Revere House Good for Kids?
Kids of all ages that are interested in history will enjoy it. In general, older kids will get more out of the experience than little kids, but the tour is quick.
How Long Does it Take to go Through the Paul Revere House?
The Paul Revere House is a quick visit that only takes about 30-60 minutes.
Is There Parking at the Paul Revere House?
Dedicated parking isn’t available for the Paul Revere House, but parking garages are nearby.
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More Things to Do with Kids in Boston
With all of the fantastic things to do with kids in Boston, it’s hard to pick the best, but we hope you enjoy our picks.
If you are traveling outside of Boston, check out these amazing things to do with kids in Western Mass and the Berkshires.
