Dive into curiosity all summer at Boston Children’s Museum! Observe, think, wonder, and ask questions about the world around you. Explore the natural world in our outdoor Curiosity Kitchen, create and solve problems in the STEAM Lab, or engage in joyful movement, music, and dance in KidStage! Complete your experience with a journey into the Hundred Acre Wood with everyone’s favorite curious bear, Winnie-the-Pooh – now extended through Labor Day! Make this summer one to remember at Boston Children’s Museum.
Get Curious Outside!
From the ocean that defines Boston’s landscape, to the tree that grows in your neighborhood, nature is all around us! This summer, get ready to think, observe, and get an up close look at the nature of our city.
Curiosity Kitchen, Daily through July and August
Explore our outdoor pop-up exhibit that celebrates the delights of playing with natural materials! Make a mud pie, crush up some pine cones, or add pebbles to your stone soup. Materials and activities change frequently so be sure to check out what the chef’s daily specials are. Enter at your own whisk!
Garden Exploration, Tuesdays and Saturdays
Check out Fenway Farms at Boston Children’s Museum! Meet an educator from Green City Growers, learn about the garden, and help us grow greens and more!
Get Curious about STEAM!
Create something, solve problems, and explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) at Boston Children’s Museum.
STEAM Lab, Open daily, check the Museum’s web calendar for hours.
· July in the STEAM Lab: Parachutes
Engineer a parachute that falls slowly so that it can bring a person or a package to the ground safely.
· August in the STEAM Lab: Stack It!
Challenge yourself to stack cups of all sizes in any way you can imagine.
STEAM Family Workshops
STEAM Family Workshop activities are designed to challenge the whole family with hands-on projects that encourage participants to solve problems, be creative, and collaborate. Check the Museum web calendar for details on specific activities.
· DIY Playdough,July 14, 15, 27, and 28 / 10:30-11:30am, 1:00-2:00pm and 2:30-3:30pm
Visit the STEAM Lab to create your own playdough using common household materials. This one hour workshop is recommended for visitors ages 6+ and their grown-ups. Space is limited, please sign up in front of the STEAM Lab.
· Stop Motion Storytelling, August 10, 11, 24, 25 / 10:00-10:45am, 11:00-11:45am, 2:00-2:45pm and 3:00-3:45pm
Create a storyboard then film your own animated movie using toy animals and other props. Maybe you’ll win an Oscar! This workshop is recommended for visitors ages 6+. Space is limited, please sign up in front of the STEAM Lab.
Get Curious about the Arts!
Engage in dynamic, hands-on activities, and programs designed to spark curiosity in ideas, artists, and art from around the world.
Art Lab
Open daily. Check the Museum’s web calendar for hours.
· July in the Art Lab: Creatures and Characters
Choose a drawing prompt and create a creature or character inspired by the real world or your own imagination!
· August in the Art Lab: Make a Zine, Take a Zine
Learn how to make your own zine, a little book to share your ideas with the world!
Sound Bath Series: Vibraphone with Winnie Dahlgren
Wednesdays starting July 31, 10:00-11:00am and 12:00-1:00pm
Music has existed in nature long before humans defined it through notes and terms – wind blowing through trees, crickets chirping at night, the crashing of ocean waves, a heartbeat – music is part of the cycle of natural life. Indigenous practitioners of sound healing recognized the therapeutic value of music, and that sound frequencies can impact our body, mind and spirit. Today, research studies prove that music can lower blood pressure, decrease pulse rate and assist the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for digestion and other metabolic processes.
Boston Children’s Museum’s Sound Bath Series is intended to be an oasis from the stressors of daily life. It is a drop-in/drop-out, deeply immersive and full body listening experience, where visitors are “bathed” in the soundwaves of a musical instrument. This summer Sound Bath Series features Vibraphonist Winnie Dahlgren.
Abilities Dance Boston: The Banned Ballet
July 20, 27, & August 3 10:30-11:30am and 1:30-2:30pm
Join us for excerpts from Abilities Dance Boston’s (ADB) “The Banned Ballet” come to life in Kidstage theater! ADB will be performing scenes across three weekends that showcase the vibrant characters that both celebrate and push against the power of storytelling. ADB will also showcase other repertoire pieces across these three weekends. Visitors will get a chance to chat with the dancers and director after the show and spotlight the need for diverse representation in books and on stages.
· July 20th (Act 1 Scene 2)
· July 27th (Act 1 Scene 3)
· August 3 (Act 2 Scene 2)
Studio Playground: Clowning & Improv Workshop
July 12, 19, & 26, 10:00-10:45am
Join Studio Playground at Boston Children’s Museum! Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in clown and physical acting. Clowning invites students to explore the health benefits of laughter through movement, games, and playful improvisation. This class includes a vocal and physical warm up, interactive storytelling, and performance projects. Let’s laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus!
Special Experience – Hundred Acre Wood! A Winnie the Pooh Experience
Journey into the Hundred Acre Wood with everyone’s favorite teddy bear friend Winnie-the-Pooh. Spend time wandering Christopher Robin’s favorite woods and visit some of his favorite places, like Eeyore’s Gloomy Place or Rabbit’s Garden. Bounce along with Tigger and Roo as you follow their bouncing trails. Or spend a quiet moment in Owl’s library, reading about some of Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet’s adventures. Playful fun awaits you in the Hundred Acre Wood! Learn more: https://bostonchildrensmuseum.org/winnie/
Special Event – Summer Carnival!
Saturday July 27, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Join Boston Children’s Museum for an exciting summer night full of games, unique performances, and fun experiences! The Summer Carnival will feature different carnival games, a variety of performances throughout the night, music, as well as some carnival food available for purchase by the Milk Bottle. Do not miss out on all the fun—plus everyone will walk away with prizes! Tickets are $30 dollars (save $20 when you buy a 4-pack) in advance, and include admission to the event, 6 game tickets, access to carnival games and Museum exhibits, unique performances, and prizes. Additional game tickets can be purchased throughout the event, $8 for 5 tickets and $16 for 12 tickets.
Tickets include:
- Admission to the event
- Access to exhibits (PlaySpace, the Japanese House, The STEAM and Art Labs will be closed for this event)
- 6 game tickets you can redeem to play different carnival games
- Prizes
- Special Performances
- Food (available for purchase and weather permitting)
The Summer Carnival is a limited capacity event, allowing for a unique visit to Boston Children’s Museum with limited crowds and wait times for exhibits and special event offerings. Secure your tickets in advance for a special summer experience at Boston Children’s Museum.