There are some memories from when my kids were little that I can still remember so clearly. They may not have seemed like huge moments at the time, but looking back now, I realize just how special they really were. One of those memories is the day I took my three kids to the Boston Aquarium.
The New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit research and conservation organization dedicated to helping people connect with the ocean and protecting marine life. It opened on Boston’s Central Wharf in 1969 and has been a place for families to learn about and experience marine animals for decades. New England Aquarium
But when I think about the Boston Aquarium, I don’t just think about the exhibits or the animals. I think about my three kids, being together, and the fact that I drove us all the way to Boston by myself.
I remember seeing this penguin display with my Grampa Gokey when I was around age 12 or 13. I didn’t experience many excursions like this when I was a child, but I do remember looking at the penguins when my Grampa took me as a kid!
So it was great to share this memory/trip with my own kids later in life.
My First Big Drive With the Kids
This was the first time I had driven anywhere that far with all three of my kids without another adult with me. Nobody else was driving us, and I didn’t have another adult sitting beside me to help with directions, keep an eye on the kids, or just give me that extra feeling of security.
I remember thinking about that before we went, but what surprises me now is that I don’t remember having a lot of anxiety about it. Somehow, I just did it. I got everyone in the car, we headed to Boston, and we made it there.
Sometimes we don’t realize how many things we are capable of doing until we actually do them. As a mom, I think there were plenty of times when I probably worried about things more than I needed to. But that day, I remember it going well.
And honestly, that is something I still think about today.
There are so many things we can talk ourselves out of doing because we are worried about everything that could possibly go wrong. Maybe we worry about driving somewhere new, taking the kids somewhere alone, or managing everything without another adult there. But sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and go.
Exploring the Boston Aquarium
Once we got there, we were able to enjoy the New England Aquarium and all of the things there were to see. The Giant Ocean Tank is one of the aquarium’s most recognizable exhibits, and there were so many different marine animals for the kids to see and learn about.
There is something about taking children to an aquarium that makes learning feel completely different. Instead of reading about an animal in a book, they can actually stand there and watch it swim around in front of them.
The New England Aquarium has exhibits featuring animals such as penguins, sea turtles, sharks, rays, seals, and many different kinds of fish. There are also opportunities for visitors to get closer to marine life through experiences such as touch tanks.
I think that is one of the things I loved most about taking my kids places when they were younger. Watching them get excited about something made me excited about it too.
And Then We Got Free IMAX Tickets
One of the things I remember from that trip was that we somehow ended up receiving free tickets to the IMAX theater next door. I believe the documentary we watched was about great white sharks, although I can’t say that with 100 percent certainty because it was so long ago.
But I do remember sitting there with my kids and watching a huge-screen 3D movie about the ocean after spending the day at the aquarium. It was one of those unexpected little bonuses that made the day even more memorable.
Those are the things you don’t necessarily plan for when you leave the house. You plan the destination, the drive, the food, and the tickets, but sometimes the best parts are the things that just happen.
I think that is another reason why taking your kids on adventures is so important. You never know what memories are going to come from them.
Why Quality Time With Your Kids Matters
When your children are young, it can feel like you have forever with them. There are always birthdays coming, another school year, another summer, and another holiday. Then suddenly, you look around and realize they are growing up much faster than you ever expected.
Quality time doesn’t have to mean taking your kids on an expensive vacation. It doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds or thousands of dollars. Sometimes it can be a simple day trip somewhere that gives everyone a chance to get away from the normal routine.
Taking my kids to the Boston Aquarium was one of those days for me. We weren’t just checking an attraction off a list. We were spending the day together, talking, laughing, learning, and experiencing something outside of our normal everyday life.
Those moments matter.
Our kids may not remember every toy we bought them or every dinner we made. They may not even remember all the little things we did for them because those things become part of everyday life. But they may remember the adventures.
They may remember sitting in the car with you. They may remember seeing a shark for the first time. They may remember the excitement of walking into an aquarium and seeing all of the animals.
And sometimes, they may remember something that you completely forgot about.
Planning a Trip With Kids Under 14
If you’re thinking about taking your kids to the Boston Aquarium or planning another day trip with children under 14, I think the biggest thing is to keep it simple. You don’t have to make the entire day perfectly planned out. In fact, leaving a little room for things to happen naturally can make the day more enjoyable.
Before you leave, know where you’re going and figure out your parking situation ahead of time. If you’re driving a distance you’ve never driven before, having your route planned can take away some of the stress. I also recommend giving yourself plenty of extra time so you don’t feel like you’re rushing.
Pack snacks and drinks for the kids, even if you plan to eat at the aquarium or somewhere nearby. Kids have a funny way of becoming extremely hungry at the least convenient time. Having snacks in the car can save you from hearing “I’m hungry!” every ten minutes.
I would also make sure everyone uses the bathroom before leaving home and again when you arrive. It sounds simple, but when you have several kids with you, the simple things can make the biggest difference.
Don’t feel like you have to see absolutely everything. Let the kids spend extra time at the exhibits that interest them. If they want to watch the penguins for twenty minutes, let them watch the penguins.
You can also let each child choose something they really want to see. Giving them a little bit of control can make the experience more exciting for them. And if you have room in your budget, letting them pick out a small souvenir from the gift shop can give them something tangible to remember the day.
Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the day yourself.
The Memories Are What Matter
Looking back, I don’t remember every single exhibit we saw at the Boston Aquarium. I don’t remember exactly what we ate or every detail of the drive. But I remember being there with my kids.
I remember that I drove all that way by myself with three children and it went well. I remember not having the anxiety I thought I might have. I remember getting those unexpected IMAX tickets and sitting with my kids watching what I believe was a documentary about great white sharks.
And I remember being their mom.
Sometimes I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to give our children these huge, extraordinary experiences. But kids don’t necessarily need extraordinary. They need us.
They need our attention. They need our time. They need to know that we want to experience life with them.
So if you’ve been thinking about taking your kids somewhere but you’ve been worried about the drive, the planning, or whether you can manage it all, maybe this is your reminder to just go.
Plan what you can. Pack the snacks. Make sure everyone uses the bathroom. Bring some patience and maybe a little extra cash for the gift shop.
Then make the memories.
Because someday, you may look back on what felt like an ordinary day and realize it was actually one of the days you and your children will remember forever.
New England Aquarium in Boston is located at:
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
HOURS OF OPERATION
Mon.–Fri.: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Weekends: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
