Just inside is a few floor mazes, with plaques explaining each type. There were things to look at in every direction: mazes on the floor, the rat maze in the middle, both child-size and adult-size mazes, and even a giant (albeit purely decorative) Rubik’s Cube hanging from the ceiling. Stepping inside was like entering a curious child’s brain. To reach Mazes & Brain Games, take the beautiful spiral staircase in the lobby, head right to the Green Wing, then take a left to reach the exhibition. The special exhibitions and showings do have an added cost ($6 for nonmembers, $5 for members), but they are worth it.Īfter leaving the lobby, I had a bit of a struggle finding my destination because of the museum’s sprawling floor plan and rich offerings. I definitely need to return to see those.). The screens above the ticketing stations advertised a wide variety of exhibitions, planetarium shows, and films in 4-D (I was intrigued by the upcoming Lady Gaga Experience and the Divas Experience. As I waited to buy my ticket ($29 for adults, $24 for children ages 3-11, $25 for seniors age 60+, and free for members and children under 3-the exhibition is included in your ticket price), I’d been concerned that the exhibition was geared more for kids than someone like me (a 21-year-old BU student). I felt like one of those summer campers-I love puzzles and brain teasers, so this exhibition made me feel giddy. Their camp counselors struggled to contain the groups as the kids eagerly awaited the chance to explore.

These kids were looking forward to learning, not dreading it. Their high energy was in stark contrast to the glazed eyes and blank stares I remember from my elementary and middle school science classes. The space rang with excited chatter and giggles from groups of summer campers in matching neon shirts. The museum was crowded with people of all ages on a Friday midday. There’s even an actual rat maze, where you can watch a few furry friends navigate platforms, nets, houses, and other accessories. Nestled on the museum’s second level, Mazes & Brain Games is an interactive and educational collection of-you guessed it!-all kinds of mazes, puzzles, optical illusions, and more. Yet, the Museum of Science does it with Mazes & Brain Games, a new temporary exhibition (open until September 4) created by Minotaur Mazes. Getting young kids and adults excited about the same science without either group feeling bored or frustrated may seem impossible. Getting young kids excited about science can be hard.

Brain games optical illusions