How much does the Boston Children's Museum cost?

General admission is $20 per person. Children under 1 are free. Friday evenings 5-8 PM are just $2 per person.

What ages is the Boston Children's Museum best for?

6 months to 10 years is the sweet spot. The PlaySpace works for babies, the climbing structure and water play for toddlers through age 10. Kids over 10 may find it too young.

Do you need socks at the Boston Children's Museum?

Yes — socks are required for the New Balance Climb (the climbing structure). They sell them at the front desk if you forget.

Is there parking at the Boston Children's Museum?

There's a parking garage underneath the museum. Weekend rates are around $15-25. Street parking is limited. The Silver Line bus and the Red Line (South Station) are nearby alternatives.

Boston Children's Museum

Name: Boston Children's Museum
Address: 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210, US
Telephone: (617) 426-6500
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(8,500)

Family of 4

$80 (4 tickets at $20 each)

Duration

2-4 hours

Best Ages

6 months - 10 years

About

The Boston Children's Museum, perched on the Fort Point Channel waterfront with its iconic Hood Milk Bottle out front, is one of the most well-designed children's museums in the country. Founded in 1913, it's the second-oldest children's museum in the US, and a 2007 renovation made it feel thoroughly modern while preserving its character.

The New Balance Climb is the signature attraction: a three-story climbing structure enclosed in mesh that lets kids ascend from the first floor to the third through a series of platforms, tunnels, and obstacles. It's safe (the mesh prevents falls) but thrilling — kids feel like they're climbing a building. Socks are required, so don't forget them.

The water play areas are another highlight. KidPower has a water system where kids pump, channel, and dam flowing water. It's hands-on engineering disguised as splashing around.

The Art Studio offers guided and self-guided creative activities. The Japanese House — a real Kyoto-style house transported to Boston — is unique to this museum and offers a genuinely calming counterpoint to the high-energy exhibits.

For babies and toddlers, the PlaySpace is a dedicated area with soft surfaces, sensory toys, and age-appropriate activities. It's separated from the older-kid zones, so there's no anxiety about a toddler being trampled by a sprinting 7-year-old.

The museum's Fort Point location puts it near the Seaport District's restaurants and the Harborwalk. The Silver Line bus stops nearby, and there's a parking garage under the museum (expensive but convenient). The $2 Friday evening admission (5-8 PM) is the best museum deal in Boston and shouldn't be missed if your schedule allows.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

true

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings for the quietest experience; Friday evenings (5-8 PM) are $2 admission

Wait Times

None on weekdays; short waits for popular exhibits on weekends

Nearby Food

["Flour Bakery + Cafe in Fort Point (5 min walk, excellent pastries and sandwiches)","Yankee Lobster Co. (3 min walk, fresh seafood, casual atmosphere)","The Daily Catch on Seaport Blvd (7 min walk, kid portions available)"]

Why Kids Love It

The Boston Children's Museum is one of the oldest and most thoughtfully designed children's museums in the country, and the three-story climbing structure (the New Balance Climb) is why kids lose their minds the moment they walk in. It's a mesh-enclosed, multi-level climbing maze that goes from the first floor to the third floor. Kids who can climb disappear into it and don't come out for 30 minutes.

Beyond the climbing structure, the museum has a full-size Japanese house (transported from Boston's sister city Kyoto), a construction zone where kids can build with real tools, a bubble room, and an excellent infant/toddler play space called PlaySpace. The water play area (KidPower) combines physical activity with water — kids pump, pour, and dam water while getting appropriately wet.

What makes BCM stand out from other children's museums is the age-appropriate design. The PlaySpace for babies and toddlers is a calm, contained environment separate from the chaos of older kids. The STEM exhibits (Raceways, Art Studio) are sophisticated enough for 8-10 year olds without being boring for 5 year olds. The museum knows its audience and doesn't try to be something for teenagers.

Pro Tips from Parents

Friday evening $2 admission (5-8 PM) is incredible but crowded — arrive at 4:45 to be in line when doors open at 5
Head to the New Balance Climb first — it's the most popular exhibit and gets a line after 10:30 AM on weekends
The Japanese House is often overlooked but is beautiful and peaceful — a nice break from the high-energy exhibits
Bring socks for the climbing structure — required for entry
The outdoor area along Fort Point Channel is great for a post-museum run-around; the Hood Milk Bottle (giant milk bottle) is a fun photo op

What to Bring

Socks (required for climbing structure)
Change of clothes (water play area)
Snacks
Reusable water bottle

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$80 (4 tickets at $20 each)

Tips to Save

["Friday evenings 5-8 PM are just $2 per person — the best museum deal in Boston","Children under 1 are free","EBT/SNAP cardholders get $2 admission for up to 4 people","Membership ($175 family) pays for itself in 3 visits and includes reciprocal admission at 300+ museums"]