Things to Do in Boston with a 9 Year Old

Things to Do in Boston with a 9 Year Old
Photo Credit Boston downtown image by Alessandro Lai from Fotolia.com

Besides being one of the more historic cities in the country, Boston is home to so many activities that 9 year olds can be entertained for days on end! Walking tours of landmark sites keep a body fit, while mental stimulation keep's a child's mind healthy. Boston offers plenty of activities to satisfy curiosities and educate while expending physical energy.

Historic Sites

Walk the Freedom Trail to learn the history of the city, and the history of America. Nine years old is a perfect age to be able to absorb the tales of the American Revolution and to find it interesting to see the Old North Church, the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's house, and to be awed by the U.S.S. Constitution--"Old Ironsides"--to name a few stops along the Freedom Trail. The footpath is clearly marked on the sidewalks of Boston, and it would surely take more than several days to see it all.

Interactive Museums

Active kids will love the Boston Children's Museum. Hands-on learning is the goal of this nonprofit organization that has been housed in Boston for 90 years, located on the waterfront not far from the Aquarium. Discovery through experience teaches kids innovative ways to live.

Pique a 9-year-old's interest at the Museum of Science, which is so crammed with features that it could take more than one day to experience it all. One of the long-time favorite exhibits is the Charles Hayden Planetarium, where viewers sit in a circular auditorium and view virtual outer space. Another is the Mugar Omni Theater that presents enormous IMAX films with state-of-the-are sound systems. Live presentations and interactive exhibits engage and educate while challenging children's minds.

Boston Harbor

Boston is a harbor city. A fantastic waterfront location houses the enormous New England Aquarium, home to hundreds of marine animals and fish. The central attraction, the Giant Ocean Tank is 40 feet wide and holds 200,000 gallons of water. A four-story ramp walkway surrounds it with windows to the tank so that viewers can see many of the 600 inhabitants, including the green sea turtle and sand tiger sharks.

Show children more of the ways of aquatic life by taking them to sea. Boston is one of the few capital cities in the country that offers whale watch cruises. Be on the lookout for humpback whales, dolphins and seabirds. Kids are fascinated by the enormous and graceful creatures of the ocean that are guaranteed to be seen during most cruises.

Boston Professional Sports Teams

Take your kid to the ball game. Although the Super Bowl winning New England Patriots team plays just outside of Boston, three other famous teams play in Boston Proper. Witness the legendary Red Sox in action, or just take a tour of Fenway Park, arguably one of the most renowned baseball park in the country. Kids of all ages enjoy the Boston Celtics basketball team and Boston Bruins hockey team that provide exciting entertainment at the Boston Garden.

Considerations

Nine years old is an impressionable age. America's history, culture and scientific innovation are important for kids to know, and experience is an easy way to absorb it. The memory of a child's visit to Boston will last a lifetime.

References

Article reviewed by Scott E. Rupp Last updated on: Dec 8, 2010

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