FunKidsActivities

Boston Children's Museum

308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Overview

Category:New Year's Eve Kids Activities
Location:Boston, MA

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Boston Children's Museum offers a highly engaging, hands-on, and immersive learning-through-play experience, particularly excelling in providing indoor activities for cold weather. It features a diverse range of exhibits focusing on STEAM concepts, cultural diversity, and foundational skills, with a notable dedication to specific age groups like toddlers.

Key Highlights

  • Dedicated toddler-specific play space that is quieter, has size-appropriate toys, and a maximum capacity, ideal for weekdays.
  • Wonderful mainstay zones designed to teach math, spatial, kinesthetic, and social foundations.
  • Rotating exhibits, such as a winter carnival space with a 'skating surface' and build-your-own ice house.
  • Brand new Daniel Tiger play space.
  • Emphasis on hands-on interaction, including climbing structures, water play areas, and art stations.
  • Exhibits effectively incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) concepts (e.g., construction zone, art studio).
  • Celebrates cultural diversity with exhibits that teach children about the world.
  • Museum is clean and staff are extremely helpful and nice.
  • Thoughtful layout with available rest areas for parents.

Standout Features

  • Specialized toddler-specific play area (quieter, size-appropriate toys, max capacity).
  • Rotating and new exhibits (e.g., winter carnival, Daniel Tiger play space).
  • Hands-on exhibits for STEAM learning (construction zone, art studio).
  • Cultural diversity exhibits.
  • Clean facilities and helpful, nice staff.

Perfect For

Toddlers: Excellent with a dedicated, quieter space featuring size-appropriate toys and capacity limits.
Preschoolers (3-5 years old): Had a good time, exhibits are highly engaging for this age group.
Kids of all ages: General exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity, with various levels of engagement.

Ideal For

Indoor/cold weather family fun in Boston.
Engaging educational playdates for toddlers during weekdays.
Families looking for hands-on STEAM and cultural learning experiences.
Sunday afternoons if seeking a heavily discounted admission ($1/ticket option).

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Consider purchasing a membership if you plan to visit frequently, as members find it 'worth every cent'.
  • For quieter visits, especially with toddlers, aim for weekdays to utilize the dedicated toddler space.
  • Check opening hours carefully; the museum is closed on most Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • Look for discounted admission on their website, specifically the '$1 per ticket on Sunday afternoon' by scrolling down during online ticket purchase.
  • If you have young girls, be prepared for potential difficulties finding a private family changing room.

Things to Consider

  • Admission price is perceived as high, with adults and young children (3-4 years old) charged the same rate.
  • Difficulty or inability to locate a dedicated family changing room; one parent had to use the men's room and act as a shield for their daughters.
  • Can get very busy and feel chaotic for parents during weekends and holiday times.
  • Museum is closed on most Mondays and Tuesdays.

Price & Value

Regular admission is perceived as high ($66 for 1 adult, 2 kids aged 3 & 4), with adults charged the same as young children. There is a strong sentiment that adults should not be charged or should have a reduced rate (e.g., $10). However, museum membership is considered 'worth every cent' by members. A significant discount of '$1 per ticket' is available for Sunday afternoons by purchasing tickets online and scrolling down.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • Lack of easily locatable or sufficient family changing rooms, forcing a parent to use a gendered restroom (men's room) for changing girls, raising privacy and convenience concerns.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not explicitly mentioned in reviews, but no specific food policies were highlighted.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not mentioned in any reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Gets very busy during weekends and holiday times, which can feel chaotic for parents.
  • Toddler-specific space is generally quieter and less crowded on weekdays.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Staff described as extremely helpful and nice, implying good supervision.
  • Cleanliness of the facility is highlighted.
  • Concerns regarding privacy and safety due to lack of family changing facilities, leading a parent to 'act like a shield' in a men's room.

When to Avoid

  • Weekends and holiday times if you prefer a less crowded and chaotic experience.
  • Mondays and Tuesdays due to museum closures.
  • If you are sensitive to high admission prices and do not plan on utilizing membership benefits or specific discounts.
  • If requiring guaranteed private family changing facilities (review suggests this is an issue).

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Halloween at Boston Children’s Museum

October 15 to November 2

General admission applies

Frightful fun with new and fang-tastic activities in the Pumpkin Patch of Play, including weekly programs, contests, pinball games, and ghoulish surprises. Leads up to the annual Halloween Spooktacular.

Halloween Spooktacular

November 1

General admission applies

Annual Halloween event, part of the Halloween season fun.

School Vacation Week

Monday, 12/23; Monday, 12/30; Tuesday, 2/18; Tuesday, 4/22

General admission applies

Museum open during special vacation week hours, offering general exhibits and activities.

Christmas Eve

Tuesday, 12/24

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am – 1:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Christmas Day

Wednesday, 12/25

Closed

Museum closed for Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve

Tuesday, 12/31

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

New Year’s Day

Wednesday, 1/1

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, 1/20

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Presidents Day

Monday, 2/17

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Early Closure for Private Event

Saturday, 4/5

General admission applies until closure

Museum open from 9:00am-12:00pm, then closed early for a private event.

Patriots Day

Monday, 4/21

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Early Closure for Museum’s Wonderball Gala

Saturday, 4/26

General admission applies until closure

Museum open from 9:00am-12:00pm, then closed early for the Museum’s Wonderball Gala.

Memorial Day

Monday, 5/26

General admission applies

Museum open from 9:00am-4:00pm, offering general exhibits and activities.

Lunch & Learn Speaker Forums

Regularly hosted (no specific dates provided)

Open to the public (no price specified)

Speaker forums featuring experts on issues affecting children and families, held at the Museum.

🚗Parking Information

  • Many public parking options in the Seaport Area.
  • Museum provides validation at four garages.
  • Physical ticket required for validation (parking apps or QR codes are not supported).
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 4 reviews)
  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

kuchifrito

kuchifrito

a month ago

What bothered me the most was charging a 3 and 4 year old the same as an adult. At a minimum, the adults should NOT be charged since they aren’t using the exhibits, they’re there to monitor that their children don’t get hurt or are not harmed by some sick weirdo. If you are going to charge the adults, I think $10 is reasonable. Cost me $66 and I think it was overpriced. I was traveling with two girls, and I couldn’t family a family room to change the girls. If they had one, I certainly couldn’t find it. I had to use the boy’s room and have men coming in as I acted like a shield to protect my girls. The kids had a good time and the place was clean and the staff extremely helpful and nice, but the admission, yeah, not a place I would re-visit in the future.

Greg Hsu

Greg Hsu

3 months ago

We’re members of the Museum and it’s worth every cent. BCM provides wonderful indoor/cold weather fun, which is rare in Boston. With some wonderful mainstay zones to teach math, spatial, kinesthetic, and social foundations, there’s also rotating exhibits like a winter carnival space with “skating surface” and build your own ice house. There’s a brand new Daniel Tiger play space that is sure to be wildly popular. It gets busy during weekends and holiday times, and also is closed on most Mondays and Tuesday’s. Be aware of opening hours. When it’s packed, just know it’ll feel very chaotic for parents. There’s also a toddler specific space that’s usually open enough to do walk-in on weekdays. It’s quieter, has more size appropriate toys, and has a max capacity so it’s a nicer more confined space for kids to play.

Tien Phan

Tien Phan

a month ago

I love bring my daughter here at afternoon on Sunday JUST 1 $ per ticket on their website ( scroll down when you purchase ticket online) A lot of areas for little kid to explore! My daughter always spends here 2 hours then we go out to the park and have lunch

WLove Nari

WLove Nari

4 months ago

The Boston Children’s Museum is a must-visit destination for families, offering an engaging and immersive experience for kids of all ages. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear this place is all about learning through play. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and creativity, making every corner an adventure. One of the standout features is the emphasis on hands-on interaction. Whether it's climbing structures, water play areas, or art stations, kids are encouraged to touch, explore, and experiment. The museum does an excellent job incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts into its exhibits, ensuring that kids learn while having fun. The construction zone, for instance, allows children to build and problem-solve, while the art studio gives them the chance to express their creativity. The museum also celebrates cultural diversity with exhibits that teach kids about the world around them. It's a great way to foster understanding and curiosity about different cultures. What sets the Boston Children’s Museum apart is its ability to engage kids on multiple levels—whether it’s physical activity, creative expression, or intellectual stimulation, there’s something for everyone. Parents will also appreciate the museum’s thoughtful layout and the availability of rest areas. Overall, the Boston Children’s Museum is more than just a place to play; it’s a space where memories are made and learning is disguised as fun. It’s a perfect destination for families looking to spend quality time together while sparking their child’s imagination.

James Cornwall

James Cornwall

a month ago

Lots of fun. Very busy but not super crazy and plenty to do. My 5 year old enjoyed herself nearly every second we were there!

Contact Information

308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.7
Total Reviews6072
Recent Reviews5