Play. Explore. Learn.

STEAM

Podcast

Power of Play

Helping Hands

PlaySpace

 



Play: More Important than Ever for Kids.

Play is vital for the healthy development of children, but is increasingly squeezed out of kid's lives. This report from the American Academy of Pediatrics examines the singular opportunity that play presents for the cognitive, physical, social-emotional health of children.

Child making bubbles

Playspace

PlaySpace – Just for 0-3 Year Olds!

PlaySpace is a special experience created just for little ones ages birth to 3 years and their adults to play, discover, connect, and wonder! From cooking up a pretend snack and driving a toddler-sized jeep, to climbing hills and crossing a wobbly bridge, PlaySpace is where very young children learn about themselves and the world around them. Infants and crawlers have a special spot too—a shoes-off area for the very littlest learners and their adults to explore together!
Beyond the Chalkboard

Beyond the Chalkboard for Afterschool and Out of School Learning

Beyond the Chalkboard is an online resource for building skills and knowledge outside of school. Discover hundreds of activities covering science, math, art, engineering, health and space. Activities were created to use mostly easy to find, inexpensive materials—many of which you probably already have.

2023 Summer Camp

2023 Summer Camp!

Registration is open for the Museum's 2023 Explore It Summer Camp. Campers will engage in hands-on and fun learning activities, enjoy the Museum, make friends, and much more.

Online Games

Build your own museum, test your memory through matching, create a fun Mad Lib, and more!

At-Home Activities for Kids

View our growing archive of play and learning activities that you can enjoy at home.

Museum Collection

Come explore our over 100-year-old collection that includes items from all around the world.

This Month in the Art Lab

Japanese House

Age: 6-8     Category: Culture and Identity

Welcome to the Japanese House! Walk down the street, take off your shoes, and step into an authentic two-story silk merchant’s home from Kyoto, Japan. The Japanese House was transported piece by piece from Kyoto and reconstructed here in Boston by Japanese carpenters. Families can explore every corner of the fully-equipped home. Japanese family life, customs, ceremonies, art, architecture, and seasonal events are all highlighted in this fully functional 100-year-old house inside the Museum. This house was a gift to the City of Boston from the City of Kyoto on the 20th Anniversary of their sister city relationship in 1979. Come explore this rare and very special landmark.

Learn more about the Japanese House

Next Exhibit

Dinos In Space

Age: 4-5, 6-8       Category: Play!

How far can your imagination take you? It’s dinosaurs in space! And it’s just as fun, creative, and silly as you imagine. Enter a space dome and create a landscape for dinosaurs, design a new constellation, send an inter-galactic message, and dress up a dinosaur for a space flight. Start with the question “What if…?” and see where your imagination and creativity go next!

Next Exhibit

Japanese House Gallery

Age: 6-8      Category: Art

Adjacent to the Japanese House, an authentic 1880s house from Kyoto, Japan, this gallery space explores contemporary stories of Japan, especially of the vibrant and multifaceted lives and expressions of youth. Using art and culture as vehicles, local and international artists, storytellers, and curators co-create a culturally responsive gallery space that invites visitors to build empathy. Shared narratives are authentic and complex, bringing more appreciation to the lived experiences of each individual. Children and their grownups are encouraged to experience imagination and belonging in the Japanese House Gallery. This small space has a large mission!

Learn about the current Japanese House Gallery exhibition.