Our philosophy starts with the simple belief that kids are capable of incredible things. Our job is to nurture that ability; our goal is to support kids' healthy development. Play is how kids learn--here, it is in both a STEM-rich environment and inviting outdoor experience.

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Toys: The Inside Story

January 18 - May 10, 2020

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Science | Nature | Play

The museum combines the best STEAM exhibits from our original two museums—for little kids, big kids, and adults—and many exciting new ones!

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5 for Good: WCVB-TV5

WCVB-TV5 looks at the museum's accessibility features and Especially for Me free programs for families with disabilities

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Free Friday Nights!

Visit the first Friday night of each month—every Friday night in summer—with free admission 4:30 to 8:00pm. We gladly accept food donations for local pantries.
Especially for Me!

We offer special free admission hours for families with children with an ASD, hearing loss, or vision loss, because we want every child to be able to visit.

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Chronicle visits Discovery Woods

Tour Discovery Woods with WCVB-TV Channel 5's Chronicle!

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Play and Explore in Discovery Woods

Our 550-square foot, fully-accessible treehouse and surrounding nature playscape will get you playing outside—12 months a year!

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Our Philosophy: Play Matters

Great play is what every kid needs, and every kid deserves.

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Hands-on learning

Discovery Museum has been bringing early STEM learning to kids and families since 1982.

Today's Hours

Discovery Museum 9:00am - 4:30pm

Discovery Woods 9:00am - dusk

Sparking Discovery in the Classroom

Traveling Science Workshops

Since 1992, our highly skilled, dynamic educators have inspired students with fun, hands-on STEM workshops delivered right in the classroom. From Physical Changes of Matter to Force & Motion to Weather, topics are designed to spark curiosity and strengthen the practices of science and ...

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Here's what's happening

A smiling boy sits with a tray of sand and uses a cup as a tool

Make a Mess: Explore Kinetic Sand

Thursday, Jan 30, 2020

10:00 am to 11:00 am

—Drop in

Squish it, sculpt it, drip it, and more! Discover the unique properties of this special material as you play, create, and experiment using your hands and some simple tools. The Make a Mess program... READ MORE

Scribble Bots

Saturday, Jan 25, 2020

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

—Drop in

Come create dynamic drawings using simple DIY robotic contraptions made of spinning and wiggling... READ MORE

Tinkering with Toys: Dress Your Stuffed Pet!

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020

10:00 am to 11:00 am

—Drop in

Treat your favorite stuffed animal to a new outfit! Will it be an astronaut suit? A superhero... READ MORE

Make a Mess: Explore Kinetic Sand

Thursday, Jan 30, 2020

10:00 am to 11:00 am

—Drop in

Squish it, sculpt it, drip it, and more! Discover the unique properties of this special material as... READ MORE

Everyday Engineering: Tinfoil Ferries

Thursday, Jan 30, 2020

2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

—Drop in

Engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled... READ MORE

the legs of a toddler climbing up a mud hill

Our blog: Play Matters

Learning Is Messy

Alli Leake

When Hillary Einboden visited the Discovery Museum for the first time, she knew she’d found a “unique and wonderful place"—a noteworthy observation coming from someone who spent a full year exploring wonderful places with her children.

Hillary and her children, Ezra, 7, and Eve, 3, went