 |
Mike and I took all four kids to the Boston Museum of Science on Saturday, and they had a BLAST! The museum was pretty busy since it was a Saturday, but the kids had plenty of space to explore. Emma (six years old) and Johnny (four years old) dove into every exhibit! Johnny was particularly enthralled – he asked several times while we were still at the museum when we could come again! Johnny declared the Cars animation exhibit pictured above to be his favorite; Emma liked the dinosaurs best. Lily (three years old) was slightly overwhelmed by the size of it and all the people, but she enjoyed herself once we borrowed one of the museum’s free strollers for her to sit in. Anna hung out with me and Mike in her ERGO carrier. I think that next time we’ll bring our own stroller – the museum is very stroller-friendly, although you can expect a wait at times for the single elevator.
While the pictures are from some of the exhibits that are more targeted to younger kids, I was surprised at how much my kids enjoyed exhibits that were clearly way over their heads, including the nanotechnology exhibit. They didn’t always understand what they were seeing, but I think that giving children the opportunity to see exhibits, even if they can’t grasp the concept, is key to nurturing an interest in science as they learn and grow.
We finished off the day watching the Spontaneous Fantasia show in the planetarium. Artist J-Walt has combined improvised animation with music, and shown on the vast screen of the planetarium it is quite amazing. The show lasted 70 minutes, and the kids sat, mesmerized. They are still talking about the performance. Anna did find it a bit over stimulating, but babies are hardly the target audience. Ideally, I would have had her asleep before the show started…
You can get an idea of what we saw in this video:
J-Walt has since converted his performance rig into an Anitar (animation guitar), which the kids found especially fascinating!
Have you been to the Boston Museum of Science? Do you have a favorite exhibit there? Do your kids enjoy science museums?
Many thanks to the Boston Museum of Science for providing tickets to this event and entry into their exhibit halls for this outing!
|
I can’t wait to take my girls back there! We have had a lot of fun there!
Visit Cassie … Space Story
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
October 9th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
My kids are already asking when we’ll visit again!
[Reply]
Sounds like an incredible day. I love that photo of Emma & Johnny with their shadows.
Visit Mud Hut Mama … Preschool Homeschool Lesson Plans: Week 17, Age 3
[Reply]
We LOVE the Museum of Science. Collin chose it as his birthday day trip with Papa and Grandma back in August. Glad you had fun there!
Visit Christy … Graham Cracker Haunted Houses
[Reply]
Very fun. I have never been to Boston. That looks like a cool place though.
Visit Jenny … Links I Like: Candy Corn
[Reply]
What fun that must have been. I have never been. I live way to far away to go. But it does look like something I would enjoy. :-)
Visit Susan Cooper … Choices: Story
[Reply]
This museum sounds amazing. It’s great that all of you could go together.
Visit Natalie … Week in Review–October 7, 2012
[Reply]
Looks like they had a blast! I’ve been so many times and even did research in the Learning Lab in the kids’ area and I never knew there were free strollers! That’s amazing the kids sat through a 70 min. show, gives me hope!
[Reply]
We <3 science museums. Unlike a lot of other types of museums, they encourage hands-on learning. It's always fun to let the kids lead and decide what they are interested in. J was a little too young when we went to Boston to do the Boston Museum of Science, but next time we visit, it's on the list!
Visit Jessica … Pumpkin Catapults
[Reply]
That improvised animation thing is amazing! I’ve never even heard of that! And now there’s a guitar that can be used to do animation? So cool. We’ll have to keep our eyes open for a local show.
We love science museums, too. Denver has a really great one that has about 6 free days a year for residents of Colorado. We go almost every time and my son is always asking to go back. Our favorite exhibits there have to be the reptile exhibit that features a live, giant anaconda and the hands-on space exploration exhibit. You should check it out if you’re ever in Denver.
Visit Lorraine @ Science-Friendly Homeschool … 6 of our Favorite Preschool Activities for a Greece Theme
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
October 10th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
The Denver museum sounds fantastic – we’ll definitely check it out if we’re ever in the area!
[Reply]
They have free strollers? That’s so cool
Visit Ticia … We went to Legoland!
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
October 13th, 2012 at 10:09 am
We were the only ones I saw using them, but I thought it was cool, too!
[Reply]
It has been a while since we went. We really need to go again, soon!!!
The planetarium exhibit seems really interesting/different!
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
October 13th, 2012 at 10:09 am
I think you would have enjoyed the planetarium show :)
[Reply]
Looks like the kids had a great time! I love outings that are both fun and educational.
Visit Jen … oh, sweet leah
[Reply]
I love how you were able to adapt the experience so all your children could enjoy it within their comfort zones! Sounds like a fabulous day out!!
Visit Elisa | blissfulE … drummers have music, too
[Reply]
Looks great!
My kids just asked yesterday if we could explore our new Science Center! :)
Visit sherri … Luke’s Birthday Morning Surprise!!!
[Reply]
[...] of Science in Cambridge: Mama Smiles recommends the Spontaneous Fantasia show in the planetarium. Artist J-Walt has combined [...]