2 votes

Boston/Stow, MA with young kids

Posted by Gazook89
Tags: ask.recommendations, travel.family, usa.ma.boston, children, museums, playgrounds

Hi all,
We are headed to Stow, MA for a week from the midwest, and have two kids in tow. 5 and 1 year olds. We will have a rental car available to us, and are looking for things to do while we aren't visiting with family. Right now on the radar is the Maynard Discovery Museum, the Worcester EcoTarium, and the Franklin Children's Museum.

Mostly interested in burning some energy, but I'm highly motivated to avoid children's museums that are basically cavernous-but-otherwise-empty dumping grounds for school field trips. I find that in my area it is the smaller museums that are generally more interesting.

Thanks in advance!

1 comment

  1. skullkid2424
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    Depends when you're traveling. My assumption is the near future, where the weather might be pretty cold (it was 70 degrees earlier this week, but snowing today). MA had 1.5-2 feet of snow on the...

    Depends when you're traveling. My assumption is the near future, where the weather might be pretty cold (it was 70 degrees earlier this week, but snowing today). MA had 1.5-2 feet of snow on the ground last week, and its basically all melted, so everywhere is wet and muddy. That can limit a lot of the outdoor activities. I don't have kids myself, but here are some random recommendations from friends:

    • You've mentioned the Discovery Museum, but I'll note that it is in Acton rather than maynard. Still awesome.
    • The American Heritage Museum is really cool, but your kids may be too young unless the 5 year old likes tanks. My Dad would have dragged me around as a kid, but it was definitely more for him than me.
    • In the history theme, the Lexington Green is ~30mins closer to Boston. Also nearby is the Concord Museum. A little more history-focused...and again the kids may be too young. Also nearby is Walden Pond. Nice little walk around the historic pond. Honestly, there are tons of nice little parks and nature walks throughout MA if the weather is good.
    • Candlepin bowling is a fairly unique thing and there are a few around. Should be doable for the 5 year old with bumpers. If you aren't aware, candlepin has a much smaller ball (closer to the size of a softball) with no finger holes, the pins are skinnier, and there are 3 throws per frame. A lot of them are more "old school" and have paper scorecards.
    • There are tons of nearby farms, depending on where exactly you're at. However many of them may not be open for the season yet (or will be quite muddy if they are). The summer/fall has stuff like apple or berry picking. The more interesting ones for the kids are probably the zoos or petting zoos. I've heard good things about Animal Adventures in Bolton.
    • There are a couple of malls that are probably 20 minutes away. Specifically Solomon Pond Mall and Natick Mall. YMMV with what is actually available in the malls - I think there are some classics like the Lego store and at least Solomon Pond mall had minigolf last time I checked.
    • There are a couple of "inflatable playgrounds" in Marlborough. No clue on the quality or age range for them, or if they might fit into the "dumping grounds for school field trips" category. I imagine there are similar options in various towns - I just happen to know of the Marlborough ones.
    • More for the adults, but Nashoba Valley Winery isn't too far. Good option to hang out and maybe try some wine when the weather is good. Nothing specific for the kids to do, but it is outdoors and fairly kid+dog friendly.