A Surburban Children's Museum

More often than you would probably think, I find myself looking for for things to do with my kids that are halfway between where friends and I live.  As a result, if someone mentions a fun thing to do (but not worth it if it's out of the way), I still try and <s>make a mental note of it</s> file in an email folder labeled simply as "Saved".  I've been surprised by the number of times I've actually used one of the suggestions that I hesitated to even file in the first place. 

We live relatively close to a children's museum called Noodle Noggin' and Bean in Northborough, MA.  I realize that this is probably an out of the way location for many readers of this blog, but perhaps you too can file it away in your "Saved" folder.  Noodle Noggin' and Bean opened a few years ago.  I checked it out with my older son and my mother who happened to be visiting.  We really enjoyed it.  It's a small, hands-on museum for young kids.   I ended up taking my son back the following week.  My husband took him there a few times when his brother was born and when I was at BlogHer this past summer.   He's attended a couple of birthday parties there as well. 

Today my boys ,who are 4 and 1, and I had a playdate with a friend and her son, who is 2, there.  The boys all had a blast.  One room has soft gymnastic-type mats for the kids to roll on and climb.  There is a plastic indoor/outdoor climbing structure with slides in between a small room with "groceries," shopping carts, and a cash register so that the kids can shop and another room that is set up like a diner so that the kids can prepare and serve the "groceries."  Many other rooms are centered around other types of activities, including a puzzle room, that is also spacious enough for the boys to chase each other around when not working on puzzles, a small "nursery" with dolls, a small water room with a giant wooden pirate ship in it, an arts and crafts room, and a room with legos and other building blocks.   Finally a larger room contains various large wooden structures like stationary train cars for the kids to climb on and rideable scooters and plastic cars.  For pictures of both the rooms that I described and the rooms that I missed, see their website. 

Despite the large number of rooms, let me stress again that this is small museum.  It's what appears to be the whole first floor in an office building in the suburbs.  Besides the size, I have heard two other complaints as well.  First, because they guarantee there will be no food allergy exposure, food and drinks are not allowed with the exception of birthday parties.  This means no sippy cups, goldfish crackers, etc.  Personally I think the rule is appropriate for a hands on museum, and once you pay to get in, your admission is good for the whole day so you can grab lunch elsewhere and come back.     Second, parents are charged a small admission fee in addition to the child's admission.  This was a big deal to my moms group, although not so much to me personally.  I view going to this museum as a special treat for the boys.  It cost $22 for the boys and me to go today.  I thought it was worth it.  I am charged for myself as well as the boys when we go to the zoo or the aquarium.  In that context, it doesn't bother me. 

Comments

[Emma kw]

As a museum educator, I ask that you stop referring to this play center as a museum. It is not! It has no historical or archival component, it is a glorified playground. ( I also have a bit of a beef with the Boston Children's Museum for the same reason!!) Try visiting a real museum with your children, most local museums are geared for children, for example The Wenham Museum . This small local museum has exhibits( including the world famous Doll Collection),a colonial house,it's famous train room, and the wonderful Family Discovery gallery, where history comes alive, children can dress up and get hands on with history! Yes, they charge admission, but the only museums that don't are the National Museums in DC!
So, try your local museums, they may suprise you! And show your children what a real museum is And please, calll a play center a play center!

[In the Trenches of Mommyhood]

I have been there for a birthday party before with the boyz, but haven't gone back because for me, it's very hard to keep track of all 3 of my children at once in a setup like that. I love the fact that it has many different rooms to play in, but I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see my children unless I was right there with them.

[LifeAsIKnowIt]

Sounds fun! We went to the Ecotarium a few years ago and the kids had a good time there..a little too far for me to drive though.
Also the Acton Children's Discovery Museum is great too...

[Manic Mommy]

Museum/Playplace - Potato/Potahto. I always need some place to take the kids during the arctic months. I will add this to my Saved folder. We also like the Acton Discovery Museum. Thanks for the tip!

[Mrs. Chicky]

We have a birthday party to attend there in a couple of weeks. Should be interesting.

[Alex Elliot]

Em Kw,
I am sorry to offend you. I called it a museum because similar places I know have the word "museum" in there title and frankly that's how I hear other people referring to it. I have to say that I was little taken back by the tone of your comment. I truly was trying to be helpful and not offensive.

[Alex Elliot]

I meant to say "their".

[Emma kw]

Did not mean to sound nasty! I just get annoyed when people call play centers museums - children get the wrong idea of what a museum IS, and consequently cause "issues" when visiting a real museum! I've seen it , and had to deal with children running and shouting in exhibit areas with no parental guidance, leaning over barriers to play with the antique toys ( yes, it happened!), then parents getting all uppity when asked to remove their children! Play centers are great this time of year - I've spent my fair share of time at Bonkers et al, and museums ( real ones) can be a fun diversion for older children, I just want people to realize there is a difference!

[Emma kw]

A little off topic - brainstorm happening - thinking of things to do with children needing to let off steam - what about asking local indoor soccer arenas if you can rent the soccer field for an hour or two? We have two places up here - Soccer etc in Beverly and the Topsfield fairgrounds main arena,and soccer only starts after school and on weekends. Both are totally walled in soccer fields, with artificial turf surfaces, perfect for running around, playing tag etc, giving those Big Wheels and bikes a run out, in safety and warmer than outside! Get a group together, pull out the coffee thermos and fold up chairs and the let the children exhaust themselves! Any thoughts?

[LinMac]

we have a new similar play centre here in Dublin Ireland. Its called imaginosity! My kids love it! And yes its a bit expensive but worth it as a day out treat!

[margaret]

Has anyone been to Pump it Up in Shrewsbury? I've heard it is pretty fun - all inflatable fun stuff for kids to play on.

[Alex Elliot]

That's going to be my post for next week! At Mrs. Chicky's suggestion I am going to ask In the Trenches if she also wants to post on it since she's been there too.