The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums I’ve been to lately. They feature art of all forms and genres. A great benefit visiting the museum with kids is…… 6 and under are FREE!!! I’ve highlighted all the family friendly things to do at the museum.
I know what your thinking…. a fine arts museum with kids….. but trust me when I say your kids will love this museum. My husband and I were nervous taking our kids because we thought they would be super bored…. We ended up spending 4 hours there and we could’ve stayed longer but I started to get a little “hangry.” My little girl was sad to leave but we promised her we would return another time.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA
What are the prices at the Museum?
Like I said earlier kids 6 and under are FREE. This is so nice because if your family is young and all your kids are under 6 basically you only have to pay for yourself or your spouse. Kids 7-17 are free during non-school hours. That is weekdays after 3, weekends, Boston public school holidays…. otherwise the fee for them is $10. Adults are $25 and Senior Citizens are $23.
If you are Active Duty Military the museum offers free admission for the active duty member and his/her family members as well. What a great thing the museum has decided to offer to military families.
Parking is available around the museum and at the museum however it is not free so be prepared to pay to park.
What are the BEST times to visit the Museum?
The Museum is FREE to all visitors on the following days……
- Monday, January 15th- Martin Luther King Jr Day Open House
- Saturday, February 10th- Lunar New Year Celebration
- Monday, May 28th- Memorial Day Open House
- Monday, October 8th- Fall Open House
Wednesdays after 4pm is a voluntary contribution only. So if you’re looking to visit only for a short amount of time…. Wednesday evening seems like a great time.
My family and I went of Martin Luther King Jr day…. This was one of their FREE days. I will admit the lines were long but once you’re inside it didn’t feel overcrowded. The museum is big enough that it can tolerate big amounts of people. We waited in line a bit to get in but the museum was super efficient in getting large amounts of people in, especially since it was cold outside.
Are there places to eat in the Museum?
There is a wide variety of eating places in the museum ranging from inexpensive to a little higher in price.
- Bravo- This restaurant has been known for using only local ingredients and artfully prepared cuisine.
- New American Cafe- This restaurant features local ingredients prepared in regional dishes from the Americas.
- Taste- This restaurant is on the lighter side featuring sandwiches, salads, desserts, and coffee.
- Garden Cafeteria- This cafeteria features everything from pizza, salad bar, value meals for adults and kids, sandwiches, soup, hamburgers, and so on. Great for families.
What to do at the Museum with Kids?
I know that’s the question for all of you out there. I will answer it for you. I felt the same way when my husband suggested we take our kids to a fine arts museum. I was wrong……. and pleasantly surprised by how much my kids enjoyed the visit.
Art Connections Cards
When you arrive at the museum be sure to stop the the Sharf Visitors Center before you enter the museum. Here you will pick up a self guided activity sheet for your kids. In this booklet you will find activities such as searching for objects…. cats, mythical creatures, armor, and so on……you will also get ideas for creative art making activities. Each activity you do will focus on a specific theme and culture.
Family Activity Totes
Also available at the Sharf Visitors Center are family activity tote bags. These wonderful tote bags are filled with all sorts of goodies including a sketchpad, colored pencils, and self guided activities. This will help keep those little ones busy an engaged wile at the museum.
Drawing in the Galleries
Available Wednesdays from 6-9. Sketch live models or objects in the museum. The participants learn drawing techniques and receives insights from the facilitator. Drawing supplies are provided.
Craft Area
Located next to the cafeteria is a craft area where kids can create and learn. When we went they had 2 different art projects…. a family tree, and create your own flower. Each craft has a small lesson to learn. The flower was to teach us all they we are different and unique but can all come together as one. The family tree taught us about our families and how we are all connected in a tree like way. My kids loved these crafts and all of the supplies were provided.
Museum of Fine Arts Playdates
The first Monday and the third Saturday of the Month form 10:15-11:00. Recommended for children 4 and under. This fun class offers story time, looking in galleries and art making. No pre-registration required for this activity.
Exhibits and Art in the Museum
The museum is very large and you probably won’t be able to see the whole thing in one day. The great thing about this museum is they have art in all forms. My kids loved seeing the mummies and wondering if one is still inside. They also loved looking at all the statues from Greece. My little 7 year old loved reading the interactive stories on the wall and searching for the paintings or sculptures that matched the stories. The scenery changes from cultures, to pottery, to paintings, to mummies and so on so if the kiddos started losing interest in one area, we just moved onto the next.
I feel like this is a perfect place to take your kids to learn about history, especially when they start learning it in school. It’s not the typical family outing but I found it to be a great learning day as a family. It was fun to see some of my favorite artist work in real life. If you have any more great tips regarding the museum please comment below.
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