In honor of Back-to-School season, I thought we could venture inside for a moment. With all the big kids off to school, places like the Montshire Museum of Science are quieter and available for littles to take over! One of the most magical places designed for the 5 & under crew is the Montshire Museum’s Wonder Woods. As you plan out your adventures for fall & winter, put this one on the list!
These photos are all from our visit in the summer of 2023, because that is how long it takes me to do things. Some details have probably been tweaked or updated. This post is focused just on their beautiful nature-inspired space for littles. You can find my detailed walk-through of the Montshire museum’s outdoor features here.
Montshire Museum Overview
This science museum is designed for children through and through. There are endless interactive stations for learning different science concepts, a large bubbles area, live animals, and an extensive outdoor water play area that is a summer must-do.
Part of the child-focused design are many elements that consider sensory needs, sensitivities and grown-up logistics – like their giant coat room for you to stash all the things. However, it is the small, thoughtful touches that drove it home for me – like step stools *everywhere* and the little window in the elevator.
Montshire Museum’s Wonder Woods
Tucked away in a corner right by the entrance, in a special space for kiddos 5 & under called Wonder Woods. The entry/exit is gated so your little one can explore freely without following their feet right off to another area. There are cubbies right at the entrance for you to stash your stuff and go relax in this giant “yes” space. And – GET READY – The entire floor in this space is cushioned for soft landings!
Look closely in this picture – that beach ball is suspended in the air by a stream of air. Talk about surprise & delight, I could play with this thing all day! Kiddos can climb and crawl, practice stairs, and explore through the whole climbing structure.
Learn from my mistake, I joked, “Ooo do you think a bear lives in this cave?” That was really dumb, don’t do that. Once I convinced everyone there was definitely no bear living in the museum, it was very exciting going through the tunnel that goes all the way through the corner and out the other side. While they played, I felt like I was getting an education of my own by just wandering around reading the informative signs.
Next to the structure is a beautiful ball run space that makes up the whole corner. The balls are made of wood and chunky. They make a satisfying clunk noise when they run into each other, much to the delight of the tiny explorers.
Wonder Woods Reading Nook
Continuing around the room, there is a quiet nook for reading and maybe a little noise dampening for someone who needs to go slow for a few moments.
A Space for Baby Too!
Then comes the baby nook where you can put down your tiny one to safely stretch and kick while big siblings explore. (Or just a nice place for you to take a break with baby while another grown-up keeps going elsewhere with the crew!)
Lastly there is the sitting area for the grown-ups to take a break and let that independent play magic happen. We visited this space at the end of our day and stayed longer than I intended because oh it was just so nice to sit quietly.
What’s in those bins on the table? Well nature-themed wooden blocks of course!
Montshire Museum’s Got Your Back
Right outside the Wonder Woods gate is a single group rest room. You can pop right in, corral your crew, and get everyone sorted without trekking across the museum floor.
Montshire Museum of Science Quick Facts: Wonder Woods
| Main Highlight | Gated area for children 5 & under to crawl, toddle and explore. |
| Bathrooms | Bathrooms are on the first floor of the museum and seasonally outside by the Hughes Pavilion. |
| Parking | Large, paved parking lot. |
| Lunch | There are lots of picnic tables scattered around outside as well as a covered picnic pavilion. Water bottle fillers inside. |
| Hours and Admission | Montshire Museum of Science website |
| Stroller Friendly | There is plenty of space inside to move around the stroller on the 1st and 2nd floors. They must be parked outside of Wonder Woods and they cannot access the observation deck. |
| Sensory Friendly | The museum has a social story, sensory map and sensory resources available. |
| Address | 1 Montshire Rd, Norwich, VT |
