Boston Children's Museum 100th Anniversary Events
Early Childhood Summit 2013: Innovation and Opportunity
In partnership with the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Strategies for Children, Boston Children's Museum co-sponsored its second Early Childhood Summit April 5, 2013 at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. 400 attendees listened to and participated in presentations on early brain development and the importance of executive function, the effect of stress on children, effective school readiness and family support programs, digital media in children's lives, the critical role of play in early childhood development, and implications for public policy. Leading researchers and professionals in the fields of health, education and business shared their insights, identified best practices, and discussed both the challenges and solutions for enhancing early childhood development opportunities.
View video of the plenary session presentations.
Family Fest at Boston Children's Museum
With partners WGBH and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston Children's Museum hosted a day-long museum-wide festival full of music, arts, science, multicultural, and health/fitness activities, all featuring the power of play in enhancing children's learning. More than 3000 children, parents, grandparents, and friends joined us at the Museum on April 6th for the Centennial Family Fest celebration. Children danced, climbed, made paper sculptures, created story discs, met Curious George, Arthur and Peep, and made music. Parents discussed their families’ challenges with the authors, artists, and doctors that presented workshops and talks. Families watched chefs Ming Tsai, Joanne Chang, and Stefano Cordova create with food. And musicians Josh and the JamTones, Ricardo Frota, and the Boston City-Wide Orchestra showed the breadth of sound and its ability to enchant and connect.
View photos of the wonderful day.
April to October: Monthly Themes
Biweekly programs will connect Boston Children's Museum past with the present and future through thematic activities.
April: Imagination – how play develops young minds
May: Friendship and Community – building cultural understanding through the arts and artifacts
June: Stories – the joy of storytelling, listening, performing, singing, and sharing
July: Exploration – outdoor and indoor games, music, and science discovery
August: The Big Birthday (see below)
September: Curiosity – activities from 100 years of innovative exhibitions
October: Gala Weekend (see below)
August 2, 2013: Boston Children's Museum's Birthday Party!
10:00am – 5:00pm
With support from the Highland Street Foundation
Free Fun Friday, celebrate Boston Children’s Museum’s 100th birthday with a Giant Birthday party. Make party hats. Sing birthday songs. Inside the Museum enjoy three floors of interactive exhibits. Outside, street performers will entertain you along the boardwalk. KidStage will feature
Vento Chiaro, a world class woodwind quintet, in the morning, and original plays performed by live actors in the afternoon.
October 4-6: The Power of Play Gala Weekend Friday Night October 4, 5-9pm – A huge community dance party for one and all featuring talent dancers who will perform and demonstrate.
Saturday and Sunday October 5 and 6, 10 am- 5pm – a festival of music, visual and performing arts, science activities, Kids Olympics, and a children's gala.
Saturday October 5 early evening – Birthday Ceremony around Fort Point Channel
An evening of surprises and delight, sound and light, participation and performance. The Boston Children's Chorus will sing an original piece in honor of the anniversary. An enormous inflatable birthday cake will be towed into the Fort Point Channel just in time for everyone to sing happy birthday and blow out the candles.
Saturday October 5 – Gala at the Intercontinental Hotel
