The Little Engine That Could!

Located in a former Easton, MA,  fire station, the small but dynamic Children's Museum in Easton represents the best of local cultural, educational and social opportunities for children

Article and photo by Eric H.

The Children's Museum in Easton might not be bigger than some houses in North Easton Village, MA, but it's a place where children and parents can proudly call home when it comes to educational, cultural and social learning.

It's truly an impassioned local effort at the Children's Museum in Easton, given it "was founded in 1986 by four Easton residents, all mothers of young children in search of hands-on educational experiences for their kids close to home," as stated on the Children's Museum of Easton Web Site.  What's more, unlike city destinations, the Children's Museum, located in a relatively quiet south of Boston suburb, offers plenty of local parking as well as an extremely reasonable admission charge of $6.00 per person!

Housed in a colorfully restored yellow and red former fire station, the Children's Museum is certainly The Little Engine That Could by making the most of its somewhat limited three floors of museum space. For starters, kids can climb the firepole, ring the bell, act out at the Performance Center with its stage and make-up area, and explore nature at the rustic cabin and camp. Children will love the fishing boat where they can catch lobster (not real ones!), a puppet theater, and the kids clinic where kids can experience The Fetch Lab -- based on the PBS Kids Show with the very smart, beloved detective dog Ruff Ruffman. The lab is a real draw with myriad science activities.

The Children's Museum in Easton recently expanded its outdoors activities and exhibitions with The Wild Place featuring a two-story tree house and summertime activities treasures centering around the Story Circle, the Stage, and Gazebo. There's also an African Garden, Butterfly Garden, and the Dinosaur Garden with a fossil pit.

Besides its fun mix of presentations and exhibitions, the Children's Museum in Easton features many classes and programs for children, adults and educators, including preschool programs, mini summer camps, Brownie and Cub Scout badge programs, babysitting, an art studio, and parent and educator workshops.

We're constantly amazed at how many presentations, exhibitions, classes and programs can be fit into a building that might not be as large as some "McMansions" in the area. The Children's Museum in Easton truly represents the best of local culture, keeping in mind the importance of offering something so enriching to children in the area. 

In a perfect world, every town and city would have such  cultural, educational and social treasures for kids. 

Children's Museum in Easton
9 Sullivan Ave.
North Easton, MA 02356
(508) 230-3789 

Related articles:

New England Kids Travel Attractions

Historical North Easton Village

The Main Street Cafe in North Easton Village

Hilliards House of Candies, North Easton (from the New England Weekly Travel and Vacation Gazette)