One of the benefits of the 2023 Summer at the Museum Program is getting to explore a TON of Museums that we probably would not have gone to ordinarily.
Turns out we REALLY would have missed out, because so many museums are super kid friendly. These really went above and beyond to cater to kids while we were there.
As always, if anything was missed, please let me know so that I can add it to the list (and head over there myself!) ? I’ll keep updating as we learn more places to go!
Image Credit: Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Seaport
Give that this has been labeled as one of the most beautiful places in the US, I’m not sure how much of a hidden gem I can reasonably call it. But it is one of the most kid-friendly stops we’ve visited. It has EVERYTHING:
- On Site Children’s Museum for kids to exercise their imaginations? Yup!
- Outdoor play area? Absolutely!
- FREE Boats you can borrow and take out on the water? Yes.
- Discovery barn filled with hands on learning and science experiments? YOU BETCHA!
- Tons of green space to run around? YOU GOT IT!!!
And that’s all IN ADDITION to the regular museum grounds, which feature cool historic ship tours, live demonstrations, and more.
Image Credit: New England Air Museum
New England Air Museum
I might have been the last person in the world to figure this out, but I’m sharing here in case it helps someone else.
First, you can actually CLIMB INTO the cockpits of a lot of the planes. For younger kids, it turns out that cockpits are basically busy boards- there are so many buttons to explore and push!
Then, there’s the indoor kids play area, the outdoor kids play area, science experiments, story hours, flight simulators– they are pulling out ALL THE STOPS for kids.
Image Credit: Florence Griswold Museum
Florence Griswold Museum
An art/historic museum that’s kid friendly? You better believe it! Not only are the grounds unbelievably beautiful, and the on site cafe a gourmet restaurant, but they also have:
- Find the cart filled with a lending library of Explorer Kits.
- Enjoy a FREE (with admission) Painting Class on Sundays
Later in October, fairies will come to the grounds and fill them with Fairy Houses.
Credit: Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Not gonna lie, I saw “Historical society” and went “Yeah, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.” My kids are BUSY and historical artifacts are fragile.
But the CT Museum of Culture and History (Connecticut Historical Society was FILLED with interactive exhibits for our kids!
They have a brand new Inspire Center for hands on activities, summer concerts, plus family programs and to go kits- all FREE with Summer at the Museum!
What am I missing? What do we need to see before the season is over? Leave a comment, and we’ll check it out!
