Doors to reopen to the Boston Children's Museum
By Carrie Wattu

When you walk through the doors of the Boston Children's Museum this spring, it will be an entirely new experience.

The 94-year-old Museum, founded by Boston science teachers in 1913, is the second oldest children's museum in the country. It has not changed much since moving from Jamaica Plain to its current home on historic Fort Point Channel in 1979. However, since breaking ground in April 2006, the Museum has undergone a major transformation.

"It's exciting. We've gone above and beyond expectations," says Rick Stockwood, Director of Public and Government Relations at the Museum. "We've listened to parents' comments and feedback in making our changes and improvements. When you walk in here, you should feel a pride and ownership that we've solidified a place for families in Boston."

Rather than move the Museum to a new location, the administration chose to expand and improve the waterfront locale.

"We know the space we're working with, and we know what our visitors need," explains Stockwood, "Moms and Dads are going to notice the ease of being able to get around in the space. The center staircase in the middle of the Museum is gone, and we've gone with a bridge-to-bridge campus. We've included family bathrooms that you can easily get to and places to make smart choices for lunch."

The Museum is especially eager for families to enjoy the following four attractions:

New Takes on Old Favorites

The existing Museum, a 117-year-old wool warehouse, has undergone a multimillion dollar renovation, updating old favorites such as Bubbles and Raceways. It also has new access to the Museum's cultural exhibitions - the Japanese House, Boston Black, and a lightfilled Art Studio. The new art deco Shapiro KidStage offers professionally produced and directed plays and musicals. The renovated museum sports a new name: "The Yawkey Center for Chil dren and Learning."

A New Addition

A 23,000 square foot addition, The New Balance Center, is also opening. It offers families three floors of state-of-the art fun. There is a new lobby and atrium, a 30-foot high climbing structure, and KidPower, an innovative exhibition devoted to encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. The third floor will feature the
Museum's first-ever
traveling exhibitions
gallery that will host
exhibits   from   all
over the world.
Beautiful   Outdoor
Park
    When completed,
the   Smith   Family
Waterfront Park will
connect   the   Museum
      with the Harbor
Walk. The exquisite
landscaped park will
offer stunning views,
mazes,   giant   boulders,
        a   refurbished
milk   bottle   snack
stand, an adventure
garden,   and   spaces
for   performances.
Construction     on
the   Park   will   continue
        throughout the
spring and summer.
Healthy Eating:
Au Bon Pain
Restaurant
    The     Museum
is   pleased   to   offer
healthy         eating
options for families
with   the   Bostonbased
            restaurant,
Au Bon Pain. Kidfriendly
Au Bon Pain. Kidfriendly fare will be served with sliced apple, baby carrots, or chips. Breakfast selections include yogurt, oatmeal with a choice of toppings, fruit cups, and bagels. Lunch selections include macaroni & cheese, turkey sandwich, and chicken tenders. Families can enjoy meals and snacks in a contemporary lunchroom as well as an outdoor patio with waterway views. A nutritional kiosk offers a variety of interactive games that help children make healthier food choices while learning about nutrition.

Families are welcome to bring a bagged lunch and snacks, too.