Children’s Museum in Niantic

image from www.childrensmuseumsect.org

In most cases, you can’t tell a book by it’s cover.  But when you arrive at the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, it’s unpretentious exterior is indicative of what’s inside – a simple, honest approach to learning.  If bells and whistles is your (or your child’s) thing, leave that expectation at home and come observe the power of carefully planned activities that will exercise your child’s imagination.  To me, this museum has a Montessori-feel to it.  Children are allowed to immerse themselves in learning through play without being distracted by over-stimulating frills.  There is also a subtle design within many of the exhibits that makes them accessible to a range of ages, from infants to upper elementary aged children.  Although it feels like a small space, there is a lot to do without it feeling cluttered.  M especially loved sorting the life-size seafood; climbing into the fishing boat, life vest and all; serving her “customers” food and drinks in the child size Mexican restaurant; making a lot of really big bubbles; seeing herself in the human kaleidoscope; and looking at the boa constrictor, the bees and the hedgehog.  Next time I’m already planning to play the organ, un-stuff and stuff Stuffee, and climb into the clubhouse.

A few last tidbits, this museum offers a Traveling Museum, Birthday Parties and an online coupon for a discounted admission fee.

I’m interested to know what you think about the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut because we definitely recommend it.

the essentials:

Niantic, 409 Main Street (Route 156), #(860) 691-1111, Participant of ACM Reciprocal Network, Members & Reciprocal Members are free, $6 per child age 1 and up, $6 per adult, (discounts for groups of 10 or more children with reservation)