If you and your family enjoy spending time at science museums, I would recommend visiting the Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. This museum appeals to young kids (around 3 -10 years) and provides hands-on science exhibits. The museum is located west-northwest of Boston and has a big free parking lot, so it’s easy to get to, which is great for parents of young kids.
The Discovery Museums actually consists of two museums in one location: the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Science Discovery Museum and now the new Discovery Woods, a giant outdoor treehouse and playspace. When my daughter was very young (toddler age), my husband and I took her to the Children’s Museum frequently. We loved this museum and it was easy for us to spend 1 ½- 2 hours at a time. The museum is based in a Victorian house and each room is designed with its own unique theme, many of which are full of really neat nooks and crannies and plenty of stimulus for kids. The chain reaction room was always my favorite. It’s quite mesmerizing– I think it enchants the parents as much as the kids! This museum is great for kids ages 0-6.
About the Science Discovery Museum
As your kids get older, it’s time to introduce them to the Science Museum. The Museum is designed to pique curiosity and encourage exploration and learning through hands-on, interactive exhibits in a fun and playful way. You will find activities devoted to sound, light, math, weather and more. From my experience, kids are engaged and enjoy their time at the museum– you can sense the positive energy in the air!
If you want to get your kids involved in additional science activities, check out the Museum’s calendar because they hold many hands-on educational programs throughout the month, such as nanotechnology and electronics. These activities are facilitated by the Museum staff and are included in the regular price of admission.
Planning your Visit
The Discovery Museum is open year-round and your admission includes entry to the Museum and Discovery Woods, an outdoor nature playscape. There is ample free parking, which is especially helpful for parents of young kids. Advanced ticket reservations are required. Children under one and teachers are free! Annual memberships are available, and you can learn about other discounts on the Ways to Save page.
The Museum generously provides FREE admission the first Friday night of each month from 4:30pm-8:30pm and during the summer months every Friday night is free.
Finally, you may want to inquire with your library to see if they have museum passes that will allow you to get discounted prices at the Discovery Museums. Many of the local libraries provide this service, and over the years, I have definitely used passes to visit museums in Massachusetts.
Final Thoughts
My daughter and I recently visited the Science Museum and we were also looking forward to exploring the new Discovery Woods, and boy, were we in for a treat! We happened to go on a beautiful fall day when the weather was perfect for spending time outside. The new setting is lovely and well designed, allowing for a lot of free play. I think the addition of the outdoor space greatly enhances the overall experience of visiting the Museums. It gives kids the chance to burn off some energy, have a snack and play! Between the two museums and the new outdoor space, it would be easy to spend 2-3 hours at the Discovery Museums.
We are fortunate to have this well-run, warm and friendly educational museum outside of Boston. It’s the type of place where a family membership pays off and it is a great place to meet up with other friends and family.
