Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum in Acton recently reopened as one renovated building with new and updated outdoor space.  The museum which has been around for 35 years, received a large donation from Middlesex Savings Bank, and reworked much of the interior space.

The museum is kid-friendly, hands on, and has a room for babies, one for toddlers, and plenty of activities for school age children.
Indoor space includes a water play area, light and sound rooms, ball runs, a pirate ship loft area, and other exhibits.  A big air machine is a hit and a magnetic gear wall upstairs is fun to interact with. There is a work area where kids can create and craft projects with recycled materials and wooden machinery that can be put together with tools.

Outside a new playground and tree house structure have been erected, which abut the Discovery Woods.  The museum has a great educational program for schools and groups, or activities for parents and children to join.  Their website gives a calendar of upcoming events.
click below:
Discovery Museum Website

Light activities.

Light room.

Water play, building Legoes to stop water flow.

Outdoor swing.

Sound room, each bulb makes a different pitch.

The museum does get crowded on school vacation weeks and during the winter months.  Traditional naptimes are a good time to go, or with little ones, during the school week.

Seacoast Science Center

A little marine center in Rye, New Hampshire is a great destination for the day.  It is set in Odiorne State Park and is a small aquarium on the coast.




The facility itself has a touch tank area, several tanks housing various sea creatures, and some hands on exhibits that include a submarine parts, and a row boat for pretend fishing.
There are hourly educational activities to join and tidal pools outside to explore.  In addition to the center itself, there is no shortage of picnic tables outside to eat a prepacked lunch (only vending machines available and no trash barrels) and a nearby playground within the park.
The setting is beautiful and bountiful rocks to climb on and places to explore.  Definitely worth a trip, just over an hour from the city of Boston.

There are two fees, one to enter the park (adults $4 and children 6-11 $2 each) and one for the Science Center (adults $7, seniors $5, and children 3-12 $3).

Click here for link to Marine Science Center

Tidal pools and rocks