Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA)050

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, better known as the "MFA," defines what is best about Boston. The Museum offers all who enter a chance to view some extraordinary works of art. With approximately 450,000 objects in the collection, there's always something new on view.

The MFA's world-renowned French Impressionist painting collection includes works by Gauguin, van Gogh, Degas, and others, and includes one of the largest groups of paintings by Claude Monet outside of Paris.

The works of famed American artists John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent are well-represented here. The portraits created by Sargent are exquisite. Point out the children in the portraits to your kids and ask them to consider what life may have been like for them. Was it the same or different? How? The questions may spark a little thought.

The Egyptian Collection is a big draw, especially for the kids. In addition to a fine collection of art and artifacts, the museum naturally has mummies, too. Don't all children love their mummy? (Sorry!)

In addition to its permanent collection, the MFA hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, plus a Film Series and a Concert Series.

Family Programs: Family Place - The self-paced gallery activities, designed for children ages four and up and adults to do together, allow families to explore the Museum galleries. Family Place is open on Sat-Sun, 11am-4pm, Oct-May and Tue & Thu 11am-4pm, Wed 11am-8pm, in July and August. Free with paid adult admission.

Studio Art Classes and Workshops: The MFA offers studio art classes and workshops for families, children, teens, and adults, taught by a dedicated faculty of experienced artists and art educators. Course topics include drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and Chinese calligraphy, among others. In the studio, students are encouraged to experiment with materials and explore a variety of ways to interpret their ideas in art.

Children ages 5-12 can participate in Saturday classes during the academic year that introduce them to a variety of media through age-appropriate projects, and weekday classes during the summer. Teens ages 12-18 can choose from courses and workshops on topics ranging from comic book art to painting to mixed media and sculpture. The MFA also offers workshops and courses in collaboration with Diablo Glass and Metal and Stonybrook Fine Arts, a metal foundry and sculpture studio, open to teens ages 14 and up and adults.

Shops & Restaurants: The MFA has an elegant museum shop and three restaurants, so finding a place to lunch or snack is easy.

Artful Adventures offers birthday parties for children ages four and older, designed around the museum's collections. Parties last two hours and include a customized gallery tour, an art activity, a story, and time for everyone to eat. Parties may be scheduled on Sundays to start at 10am or 2pm, at a cost of $250 for up to twenty children; $10 for each additional child.

Membership: Dual/Family at $100 includes two cards; each card admits one adult. Family Plus membership, at $175, includes special family programs designed exclusively for Family Plus members.

Note: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is a participant in City Pass, a convenient way to visit six Boston attractions. Other participating attractions include: Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, John Hancock Observatory, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.