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Boston is more than an important Revolutionary War site found in textbooks. The city abounds with historical buildings, parks, and residences, but not every tourist site is interesting to both adults and youths. A vacation in Boston can be fun-filled for every member of the family at these kid-friendly attractions.

The New England Aquarium tops the list of kid-friendly places. Kids can explore all levels of the four-story tall ocean tank and the tropical coral reef and animals contained within it. On the third floor, the Edge of the Sea exhibit allows children to touch sea stars, sea urchins, and horseshoe crabs. You can buy tickets to board the Voyager III to visit the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary for a whale watching expedition. Call 617-973-5200 for more information or visit the Aquarium website at neaq.org. The Aquarium is located by Boston's Central Wharf.

The Boston Children's Museum has been educating children for over ninety years. At Johnny's Workbench, the entire family can use hand tools to create projects made from wood. The Science Playground is one of the best known areas of the Museum. Here, kids can make bubbles of different sizes and shapes and explore with all of their senses. Kid Power is a place for youngsters to get their exercise by dancing, wall-climbing, or power-pedaling. The Boston Children's Museum is located at 300 Congress Street. Call 617-426-6500 or visit bostonkids.org for more information.

It's no secret that younger children enjoy watching wild animals, and a zoo is the best place to do that. The Franklin Park Zoo was founded in 1913. Among other animals, the zoo keeps Masai giraffes, six-foot tall wattle cranes, lowland gorillas, ostriches, and kangaroos. Children can pet farm animals at the Franklin Farm. That, and Butterfly Landing, an outdoor tent where about one thousand butterflies can be seen, are seasonal exhibits. One of the original buildings, Bird's World, contains bird species from around the world. Level, wide paths make this zoo a good place for young children to stretch their legs. More information may be found by calling 617-541-LION (5466) or visiting franklinparkzoo.org. The zoo is located at One Franklin Park Road.

Boston's Freedom Trail is more than another way for parents to get their kids to wear off some energy or learn about early American history. Each of the sixteen historic sites on this 2.5 mile walking tour were preserved for future generations by concerned Bostonians in 1958. Visit Paul Revere's residence, the King's Chapel and Granary Burial Grounds, Boston Common, and the Old North Church. Tours begin at Boston Common and end at the Bunker Hill Memorial. You can obtain an audio map and do a self-guided tour or contact the Freedom Trail Foundation for guided tours. Guided tours by costumed interpreters are available by calling (617) 357-8300. Get more information by signing up for the Trail newsletter through thefreedomtrail.org.

5W!TS Tomb is a spine-tingling adventure for families with older kids. The 5W!TS production company briefs your group on the basics of what you need to do and find, gives you flashlights, and lets you find your way to the heart of the Pharaoh's tomb. Along the way, the group must make decisions about how to proceed. Some reviews compare this venue to an Indiana Jones movie with guests as the heroes. Call 617-375-9487 for tickets or just show up at 186 Brookline Avenue. The website may be found at 5-wits.com.

With choices varying from the historical to the furry, the wet and wonderful to the scary, parents and children will find many opportunities for fun at these Boston kid-friendly attractions.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Petersen.
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