Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Visiting Boston’s Children’s Museum with a Toddler

Brittney
Winters are long and cold here in Boston and it’s easy to start feeling locked in and going a little crazy.  One place I kept hearing that we needed to check out to assuage these winter blues was the Boston Children’s Museum.

Boston

I wanted to go check it out for a while but felt like it was ridiculously expensive for a one time visit ($14 per person, including young children) but not awful for a year long family membership ($150/year). I needed to get out to stay sane so I decided it was worth it and that we may as well just get a membership.

We waited for a warmish day and walked the 2 miles to get there, but there are lots of other transportation options to get you their more easily, I’ll list them below.

Boston

The Boston’s Children’s Museum is tall and laid out with a bunch of different themed rooms, like a music room, a community room (where they have a small grocery store, a barber shop, and a dress up station), a construction room where kids can build things or climb in crazy tunnels and most importantly for us at the time, a little kid room where you were only allowed if you were under… I want to say two…  This room had books, puzzles, a climbing area, and bubbles.

We made it to the museum and let our son go wild.  He loved it… and I’ve never seen him throw so many tantrums so he also might have been a little over stimulated… :/   I mean there were about a million-billion kids there going crazy and so many new things to see and do.

Boston

After having a membership for a while I realized that the Children’s Museum is always crowded, even during week days during the school year.  My son really loved it, but I felt like at a 1.5 years old he was constantly getting plowed over by other, bigger kids, and when our membership expired I decided not to renew it until my son is a little older and more able to enjoy the bigger exhibits.

Things to Note:

1) Price
I think it’s fairly expensive for a single visit.  $16/person for anyone over 12 months or $150 for a four person family year long membership.  Also if you want to try it out before you commit, and you don’t mind large crowds, you can check out the museum for $1/person on Friday nights between 5-9pm.

2) Getting There
There are tons of options for getting there including buses, trains, and a parking garage, you can learn more about those options here: http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/visit/directions

3) Stroller Friendliness
Surprisingly not very stroller friendly for such a child centric place.  We always ended up there with a stroller and had to drag it around room to room with us.  There is a little bit of stroller parking near the toddler area and you can leave your stroller at the end of a couple of corridors, but there really isn’t a place to check them in and some of the room spaces are too tight to accommodate them. The museum suggests leaving them behind or bring a smaller umbrella stroller that can fit in a storage locker.

Boston

4) Lots of Kids, Always
This places is a mad house of kids during the weekends, but I found it to also be quite busy during the week with field trips and the like, and the toy and exhibits are all fairly well loved/used.

Summary and Rating ★★★★☆

Four Stars.  This place has a lot to offer, but I think it’s fairly expensive and much better suited to children older than two years.  I felt like my little son ended up getting run over by less well accompanied older children and the baby/toddler room didn’t hold our interest super long.  We’ll try going back when he’s a little bit older, but for now we’re going to stick with the Boston Museum of Science.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below.

Boston Children’s Museum
308 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

Phone: 617.426.6500
Website: http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/

Hours: Saturday-Thursday 10am-5pm
Fridays 10am-9pm

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Cardboard Creations – Easy DIY Playhouse

Brittney 1 Comment

This is my first post for Cardboard Creations and I’m super excited about it, especially since this craft was really easy and turned out a lot better than I dared to hope for.

Cardboard Creations - Easy DIY Cardboard Playhouse Doghouse

Supplies Needed:

  • 1 large cardboard box (two if you want a roof)
  • Exacto Knife 
Optional Supplies: 
  • Large Plate (will be traced)
  • Book (will be traced)
  • Glue Gun & Glue Sticks (If you want to flip your box inside out to hide the text on it)
  • Paint

Kids seem to have a strange fascination with cardboard boxes and since we live in an apartment complex we have access to tons of boxes of every shape and size sitting near the recycle… turns out they are kind of an ideal crafting material.

And, since my son can’t get enough of dogs, I thought it might be fun to make him a Playhouse/Doghouse. 

Cardboard Creations - Easy DIY Cardboard Playhouse Doghouse

Step 1) Create the Roof Flaps
Grab a large box, I stared with an Extra Large U-Haul Box. Lay the box flat, with flaps out. Find the top middle of the small flap of the box and draw a dot, then grab a strait edge (a ruler or book work great) and draw a line from that dot to the bottom edge of the flap, creating a triangle shape. Repeat this step for the other small flap at the top of the box.  Then cut off the outside triangles so you just have the one large triangle in the middle left.

Step 2) Create a Window with Shutters
On the wide side of the box I traced a small book so I could create a window.  Then I drew a line down the middle of it, so my window could have shutters.

I finished it off by drawing two small rectangles right in the middle of my shutters that could be used as finger holds when opening and shutting the window. Use your Exacto knife to cut out the windows leaving the further most sides intact.

It might help to have a book pressed up against the side of your window so that first crease happens along a line and doesn’t make your box bow awkwardly.

Step 3) Create a Door
Grab a large plate or book to trace.  I used a plate and positioned it toward the top of the box. I traced the top half of the plate, then used a book to create strait lines to the bottom of the box making a door.

I would also suggest marking a small area to cut a window in the door, this can be used for your child to open and close the door, and to peek through it.  Again, use your Exacto knife to cut out your door shape leaving one side intact.

Again, it might help to have a book pressed up against the side of your window so that first crease happens along a line and doesn’t make your box bow awkwardly.

Step 4) Create a Roof (optional)
If you want a roof your going to need another decent sized box.  I found a big flat one, ripped out the seam on it so it would lay flat and then cut a large rectangle sized piece out of it, big enough to cover my whole other box.  Then I bent it down the middle creating a point so it would stay on the box as a roof, but so I didn’t have to glue it down.   
Step 5) Flip the Box (optional – only if you want to paint your box)
Lay your box flat and find the seam where your box is glued or stapled together.  Using your knife try to pry apart the glue or staples so that your box can lay completely flat.

Step 6) Reform the Box (optional – only if you flipped your box)
Flip your box inside out, so that the unprinted side of your box is facing outward and glue the seam back together (I used a hot glue gun for this and it worked marvelously).

Step 7) Paint Your Box (optional)
Paint it however you like.

Step 8) Fold the Box
I left the bottom flaps of my box intact and folded them under the box for some additional stability.  I rested the long flaps at the top against the triangle pieces I had cut out and laid the roof across them.  And Bam! The house is ready to enjoy!

Have you made this craft?  What was your experience like and do you have an suggestions to make it better?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below. 

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Weekly Event Summary (Jan. 8th – Jan 15th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

Brittney

Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

1) Ottawa International Animation Festival (Today)
2) La Fete des Rois (Jan 9)
3) Ben Rawlence discusses CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp (Jan 9)
4) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 9)
5) Kids’ Shows: Debbie and Friends (Jan 10)
6 Urban Gardening Series: Water Conservation in the Garden (Jan 10)
7) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Jan 12)
________________________________

1) Ottawa International Animation Festival (Today)
When:
Friday, Jan 08, 2016 7:00p –
Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 5:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Admission:
$5-10
Fri, Jan 8, 7 PM
Sun, Jan 10, 3 PM
FREE for Associate Members + above / $5 members + students / $10 nonmembers
Enjoy the world’s most cutting-edge, thoughtful, funny, and provocative animation at the ICA’s presentation of the Ottawa International Animation Festival’s best selections from 2015. Whether you love classic cartoons, mind-bending experiments, fantastic digital creations, dazzling effects, technical fireworks, thought-provoking observations, or pure gut-busting fun, there is something for everyone. Intended for mature audiences.
2) La Fete des Rois (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 1:00p –
3:00p
Where:
The French Cultural Center
53 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:$8-25
A traditional French holiday, la F’te des Rois (Feast of the Kings) is a festive event and an opportunity for families to gather for some delicious Galette des Rois (King’s cake).
Children will enjoy fun activities while the galettes are warming up in the oven, then we will all enjoy a generous slice of the cake! If it’s your lucky day, your piece of galette will hold the I’ve (bean) and you will be crowned king or queen!
Pricing
Members:
$8 adults, $4 children, $15 family (2 adults and 1 or 2 children).
Non-Members:
$12 adults, $6 children, $25 family (2 adults and 1 or 2 children).
Children under 5: free

3) Ben Rawlence discusses CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 11:00a – 12:00p
Where:
MIT Coop at Kendall Square
325 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02142
Admission: FREE
Book talk and signing with author, Ben Rawlence, about his latest work, “CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp.”
Former Human Rights Watch researcher Rawlence (Radio Congo: Signals of Hope from Africa’s Deadliest War, 2012) tells the distressing story of Kenya’s vast Dadaab refugee camp, where nearly 500,000 people fleeing civil war in nearby Somalia live in a “teeming ramshackle metropolis” the size of Atlanta. Drawing on hundreds of interviews conducted during a series of extended visits to Dadaab since 2010, the author plunges readers into this hellish city of “mud, tents and thorns,” where three generations of displaced persons have lived amid malnourishment and disease.
Organized by the MIT Center for International Studies.

4) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 

5) Kids’ Shows: Debbie and Friends (Jan 10)
When:
Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 10:30a – 11:30a
Where:
Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St.
Brookline, MA 02446
Admission:
$9-12
Debbie and Friends concerts are fun for the whole family! Celebrate the release of the new Variety Show DVD with this multimedia kids/family concert. Proceeds from DVD sales will be donated to The Greater Boston Food Bank.

6) Urban Gardening Series: Water Conservation in the Garden (Jan 10)
When: Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 1:30p – 3:00p
Where:
Cambridge Public Library
449 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 01238
Admission: FREE
All gardeners aim to beautify the world. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that our actions contribute to, rather than detract from, the environment. Learn how water conservation practices can help you to create beautiful garden spaces without wasting precious water resources.
This class is part of our Urban Gardening Series a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by Society staff in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free classes take place at the Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA.
Sunday, January 10, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library,
449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138
Program Code: LEC6551
Instructor: Mark Richardson, Horticulture Director, New England Wild Flower Society
To register, go to:
For questions or registration help:
Contact the Public Programs Department at [email protected], or by phone (508) 877-7630, ext. 3303.

7) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Jan 12)
When: Tuesday, Jan 12, 2016 12:00p – 2:00p
Where:
South Station
700 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02111
Admission: FREE
Now at lunchtime: 12pm – 2pm
Come to South Station for a chance to play Grand Master Larry Christiansen – for free! A 3-Time American Chess Champion, Mr. Christiansen will play 25 games simultaneously.
All are welcome to play, or come watch Larry’s technique and skills.
This is a monthly event under the schedule board.

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Brittney
We went to the Museum of Science with some friends shortly after we moved to Boston (before we had kids) and we loved it! There was so much to do and so much to explore. They had a fantastic lightening exhibit, a weather station where you could see touch and feel all sorts of weather related things, science puzzles that test probabilities given different circumstances, pirate ships and more. We spent three hours there, saw maybe half the museum and had to head home because my husband had a take home test and MIT is not very forgiving when it comes to testing. Grr.

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Fast forward a few years and I went back with my toddler son in
tow, and was amazed all over again at what the Boston Museum of Science had to offer. This time I was amazed by the live animal shows, ball runs and an amazing little kid only area that is crowd controlled so that once you’re inside your child can enjoy the toys without being over crowded.

We love the toddler area, it’s got stroller parking right out front and two levels of awesome things to play with and explore.  The top level has a ball run that sucks up ping pong balls and then drops them down a shoot.  The shoot has a bunch of magnetic pieces that can be moved and manipulated to change how the balls drop down and my son happily played with just the ball run for over an hour.

Things to Note:

1) Price
It’s expensive if you don’t have a discounted pass ($22/person, children under 3 are free)  However you can get discounted passes from the library if your a Boston local and MIT has a sweet deal where students can get in for free and can buy discount tickets for $7 for anyone else.

2) Stroller Friendliness
This place is huge!  Bring a stroller!  If you use the baby/toddler area you will be asked to park your stroller out front near it, but if you want to see some of the other amazing things the museum has to offer and you have little ones you’ll want the help of a stroller to get them around.

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

3) Baby/Toddler Area
The Museum of Science has an amazing baby/toddler only area.  We go and only go there and still feel like we’ve had a great trip.  They have tons for your little one to do and it’s crowd controlled so your little one wont be over run.

4) Getting There
The “T” drops off nice and close to the Museum of Science they also have a parking garage so getting there is a snap.

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  I have loved the Boston Museum of Science every time we’ve gone.  It was a ton of fun to go as an adult and to be able to explore interesting bits of science and I love taking my son.  The toddler room is clean, there is plenty to see, and even I find the toddler toys interesting and engaging.  If you’re looking for a membership somewhere to get away from the winter blues this would be my location of choice.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below.

Museum of Science

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114

Phone: 617-723-2500
Website: http://www.mos.org/

Regular Hours:
January 1 – July 4 & September 9 – December 31
Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Summer Hours:
July 5 – September 7
Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

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Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Boston Museum of Science with Kids

Toddler Letters – “A” is for “Ant”

Brittney 1 Comment
Letter A Craft -Toddler/Preschooler letter craft A is for Ant with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Disclosure: I want to give you a heads up that this blog does use affiliate links (which means I make a percentage of the sale if you buy something) and this post might be sponsored or contain affiliate links. In either case please know all opinions are my own.

Supplies Needed: 

Toddler/Preshooler letter craft A is for Ant with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Set Up:

I traced and cut out a letter “A” for all the kids before we started. Each toddler was given a Q-tip and a small splat of washable black finger paint.  Then I show the kids how to make dots with the Q-tips on their letter “A”.

They loved dipping and painting and using a Q-tip made paint management surprisingly easy even with 3 toddlers.  If you don’t want to use a Q-tip you could also just use fingers and you would probably end up with bigger, more visible “Ants”.

We finished up by talking a little bit about bugs and we had a small picnic by spreading a blanket over the floor and eating apples slices together.

Toddler/Preshooler letter craft A is for Ant with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Fruits and Vegetables that Start with “A”

  • Apple
  • Apricot
  • Artichoke
  • Asparagus
  • Avocado

Tracing Letters:

Have you made this craft?  What was your experience like and do you have a suggestions to make it better?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.

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