Conference moira::parenting

    My son's daycare just went to the Panda museum in Goffstown last week, 
    and I joined them.  The place was really nice.  The biggest surprise
    for me was that I didn't know it even existed before last week!
    
    It has some good "hands-on" exhibits indoors.  Then, there is a big 
    playground outside, with tables for picnic lunches.  
    
    Directions are as follows (please correct me if I have street numbers
    wrong).  From the intersection of routes 101 and 114, head north on
    114.  Take a right at the third light (I think this puts you on 114A). 
    The museum is about a mile down, on your right.
    
    Peggy

    I read in some notes conference (here, or New_Hampshire) that there was 
    a children's science museum near Dartmouth, NH.  If anyone knows more 
    specifics (what does it have? directions?) can you please add a reply... 
    We will be in that area next week, and I'd like to stop by.
    
    Peggy

    
         Roger Williams Park is an excellent place to take children.
    
       It's in Rhode Island....Providence. If going from Worcester
    Rte.146 is the rte. to take. 
    
       It has a zoo, a Dinasour exibit (Looks like real dinosaurs that
    growl and move a bit.) At the end of that they show how they
    made them out of robots, plus they get to do some 'digging' and
    get some education on dinosaurs, digging, and also on how they
    made the dinosaurs for Jerassic Park.
    
        Then there's a train ride, and a carasoul, pony rides. There's
    a small museaum that has stuffed animals, birds, some antiques,
    the building looks like an old town Hall.
    
         They have green houses with all sorts of plants. They have a huge
    garden which brides and grooms have their pictures taken.
    
         They have paddle boats. 
    
         Also, you can bring a picnic lunch, or eat in restaurants there.
    It's an all day event. Also, they have free shuttle buses. This
    way you can park in one area and you don't have to do all that walking
    to get to each place, it's huge!  Great place for kids.
    
         Rosie

    RE: .3 - The museum at Roger Williams Park is called the Museum of
    Natural History.  We were just there on Saturday.  Our 3 1/2-year old
    and 6-year old had a great time at the museum and other parts of the
    park.  The museum is small, but that's just fine for younger children.
    I agree with Rose, Roger Williams Park and Zoo are a wonderful place.   
    There's so much to do.  We opted to skip the zoo and we did the paddle
    boats, carousel, kids bumper boats, playground, and museum.  
    
    RE: .0 - In Worcester, MA, there's the New England Science Center.  I
    haven't been there, but I've heard nice things about it.  When I called
    for information, I asked if there were things appropriate for children
    under 5, and they said yes.  They also mentioned outdoor picnic areas.
                                                

    The Museum of Natural History in Brewster is good for kids.  We
    were there a couple of weeks ago and it was a big hit with my
    son who is three and a half years old.  The museum wasn't very big,
    but big enough with exibits about birds, fish and that kind of stuff.
    
    The part that really made it fun for us was the walking trails out
    back that lead all the way to the ocean.  The trail was easy to follow
    with interesting terrain.  When we got to the beach it was low tide and 
    it seemed to go out for miles and miles with lots of tide pools to look
    for crabs and stuff.
    
    Gail  

    Basenoter - you didn't state age of child, preferable locations or
    childs interests if older.
    
    If a younger child, Panda is 'nice' but doesn't provide the
    get-down-and-dirty play fun of the Metamorphosis Museum in Londonderry
    - if you're a NH traveler.
    
    Give us more info and I'll bet you'll get tons of suggestions!
    

    The museum near Dartmouth is the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich
    Vermont.
    
    Here's what AAA says about it:
    
    "I-91 exit 13 to Montshire Rd. off SR 10A, features a variety of
    exhibits about science, natural history and technology.  Permanent
    displays include freshwater and saltwater aquariums, live animals and
    mounted specimems from New England and around the world; and a variety
    of hands-on exhibits.  There are also changing exhibits, lectures and
    workshops.  The museum is set on 100 acres of woodland along the
    Connecticut River.  Picnic areas and nature trails are available. 
    Allow 1 hour minimum.  Daily 10-5, closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and
    Dec. 25.  Admission $5; ages 3-17 $3.  AAA Discount.  Phone
    (802)649-2200."
    
    What I like best about this place is that the area for toddlers/younger
    children is science-based, not just a bunch of baby toys.  Also the
    Physics Playground outside is a trip.

    I have found a wonderful book called "Where Should We Take the Kids? 
    The Northeast" by Elin McCoy.
    
    It lists places to go by location and by activity type (i.e. Museums).
    
    As another noter mentioned, if you specify a particular location, I can
    enter more specific information for you.

    Don't forget the Peabody Museum in Harvard University.
    (It might be called something else, but that is what is
    etched over the doorway).
    
    They do not "cycle" their displays.  Everything seems pretty
    permanent.  I'd suggest older children (8 and up), because there
    isn't that much hands on, but the dinosaur exhibit is fantastic.
    Shows the bones of the evolution of the horse.  Which was 
    exactly what I was hoping to see.  They have quite a bit of
    minerals (etc), some are sensative to light, you have to open
    a door to look at them.  There are diaramas of what Native
    Indian (several varities) huts, teepee, wigwams, etc.  There
    were native plant displays.  All of these are housed in the
    old university, you keep walking and find another section
    and then another section.  Their displays are the results
    of their expeditions.  They are showing off their discoveries!

What I like most about the Peabody Museum is the 
collection of glass flowers. These are unique models of
flowers and plants made in glass by 2 men (father & son)
from Germany in the early 1900's, ordered by Harvard  for
the use by the university. Their cooperation lasted
for many years until 2nd world war came. 

They are increadibly detailed, looks like the're 
the real thing. If you're at all interested in plants or in 
real craft manship I highly recommend that you do
a visit to the Glass Flowers exhibition

Probably suited best for the older kids and grown ups.


/Malin

    I grew up in the Peobody, my cousin was the director for many, many
    years and a friend recently retired as pas director. 
    
    The Peobody is incredible for older children, although I must say that
    there are a a few items in the second gallery that may be bothersome to
    younger children (if they're still there). There was a mummified baby
    in aa bottle, aswell as a couple limbs and animals in jars. 
    Other than that, the Peopbody is my top 3 favorite musuems in the country.
                                                       

	These replies have been great.  I wrote the basenote, so to answer 
	the quesion posed in .6, my son is just over 3.5 years old.  However, 
	it is interesting to hear about places for all ages.

	I'm also in New Hampshire, so the "Metamorphosis Museum" sounds 
	like it wouldn't be too far.  I've been to the "Children's Museum" 
	in Londonderry, but have never heard of the Metamorphosis.  Where 
	is that one located?  What age group would do best there?

	Also, thanks to .7 for the directions to the Montshire Museum.  
	That is actually the one I was originally looking to find.  I'm 
	hoping that as we pass through Dartmouth, we get a chance to stop 
	by there.  

	Peggy

    We have a pretty cool museum here in Philadelphia.  There may be others
    around the country as well.
    
    It's a BUG museum.  Yes, 3 floors of bugs and bug activities.  2 of the
    floors have live ones that the kids can hold, etc.  It was originally
    started by a local exterminator when he found different varieties of
    bugs; mostly so people could come in and see what they looked like. 
    Well, it turned out to be much bigger than that.  They even have a
    plexiglassed off area with a small bathroom and kitchen...filled with
    live cockroaches!  The third floor has things for the kids to climb on
    and in (like spiderwebs and such).
    
    They call it the "Insectarium" and the kids of all ages seem to love
    it.  They run birthday parties and group trips too.  It's not one of
    those stuffy museums that require you to be quiet either (it's usually
    pretty loud in there).
    
    I know most of you are not from this area, but there may be something
    similar elsewhere.
    
    cheryl
    

    .12: I don't think there are two museums in Londonderry - I think
    you're hearing two names for the same place.  I've heard it called
    both.
    
    .13: The Insectarium sounds fabulous!  It sounds like worth a visit
    next time we drive near the city.  Is the Franklin Institute still
    great?  I lived in the area when I was a kid and I LOVED the
    walk-through heart and just about everything there.  Has it kept up
    with technology?  
    
    Jane

    re .14
    
    The Franklin Institute is still the same.  The added the "future
    center" which has all kinds of neat things in it pertaining to today's
    world and the existence of our planet.  Also they have added the
    Omniverse Theater.  That's one of those huge surround movie theaers
    with about a bizillion speakers.  I'v been known to go downtown just to
    see the movie.
    
    There are many other museums in Phila too.  The "Please Touch" museum
    is particularly for kids.
    
    The indectartium is not downtown, it's in the northeast (which makes it
    better for me).  The exterminator that runs it is called Steve's
    Bug-Off.  I'm not sure if it's listed separately.  You can request a
    guide on your visit, which I highly recommend.
    
    so...If you're ever in Philadelphia....
    
    cheryl
    

    
    
    My sister lives just outside Philadelphia (in NJ). Next time I visit
    we'll definitely have to take the kids to some of these places.
    
    Patty