The 2006 Ben Stiller movie Night at the Museum sparked kids' interest in visiting museums and perhaps even staying overnight. The 2009 release of Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian further fueled interest in museum sleepovers. New York City's American Museum of Natural History launched its A Night at the Museum sleepover program in 2007, and it's still so popular that available dates are frequently sold out. What are parents, teachers, scout leaders and other group field trip organizers to do? Easy! There are several New England museums that host educational and fun overnights, too.
1. Spend a Knight in a Shining Armory
The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, has a popular OverKnight program that immerses visitors in the days of knights in shining armor. This parent-child sleepover adventure is ideal for kids who are studying Medieval history. Activities include a Medieval-style meal, a shield workshop, a scavenger hunt and more. The museum can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, and each child is required to have an adult companion. Call 508-853-6015, ext. 20 or email higgins@higgins.org for details and available dates.
2. Fall Asleep Counting Carousel Ponies
Kids will be off on a merry adventure when you book a Museum Sleep Over at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut. The program, which features a menu of educational evening activities, is designed for groups of 50 to 75 children. The sleepover program may be combined with a visit to Lake Compounce, America's oldest amusement park, the next day. For information and to reserve your group's stay, call 860-585-5411.
3. Camp on a Battleship
Did you know that Battleship Cove--a Massachusetts museum that is home to the world's largest collection of naval ships--has been hosting group overnights on a historic battleship since 1972? Scout groups especially enjoy these Nautical Nights, which feature opportunities to explore the vast Battleship Massachusetts and to learn about its workings. Kids get to have dinner and breakfast in the Officers' Wardroom and to learn new skills including knot tying and Morse Code. They also receive free admission to the Marine Museum. To begin planning your overnight camping adventure, call 508-678-1100, ext. 101 or email paulah@battleshipcove.org.
4. Sleepover at the Children's Museum
On Friday and Saturday evenings year-round, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, New Hampshire, hosts overnight camping visits for scout troops, schools and other groups. The affordably priced program, which is available for groups of at least 60 people, features hands-on activities, an evening snack and Continental breakfast. Kids will enjoy exploring the museum's interactive exhibits, which include a dino dig site and an aircraft construction station. To reserve your group's overnight visit, call 603-742-2002 or email jbard@childrens-museum.org.
5. Spark Curiosity at a Camp-In
The Children's Museum in West Hartford, Connecticut, can accommodate groups of 60 to 130 for its overnight Camp-In programs. Designed particularly for scout groups and available on select Friday and Saturday nights from January through May, these Camp-Ins feature workshops, time to explore the museum, and a snack and a Science Dome show before bedtime, plus breakfast and more time to explore in the morning. Call 860-231-2830, ext. 44 for group reservations.
