Every child should have the opportunity to thrive—not just survive—to be happy, healthy, and supported. But this is not today's reality. Increasingly, children are not thriving. Alarm bells have sounded about their mental, physical, and emotional health. The omnipresence of digital technology, sedentary lifestyles, social isolation, shrinking playtime, lack of connection to nature, learning and social setbacks due to school closures during the Covid health pandemic, and for many children the effect of neglect, poverty, violence, and homelessness make surviving a daily reality. We are failing our children. Childhood has been sped up, with accelerated expectations for many and overwhelming obstacles for others. But children are resilient, and when given the opportunity they express their inherent curiosity, creativity, and desire to learn.

Boston Children's Museum is fully invested in the wellbeing of children and families, supporting them in the Museum, in the community, and at home. The Museum's historic appeal, rooted in hands-on and child-centered experiences, promotes play as a key way to help children thrive, not just survive, as they grow. Play is its own “means” and “ends.” The Museum taps into children's innate capacity to learn through play, and connect them to a hopeful future where they can thrive.