The Boston Globe

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUMS Children can view themselves in infrared to learn about clothing and body-heat insulation and how it relates to energy-saving at home. 177 Main St. (Route 27), Acton. Science museum: Tue-Fri 1-4:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Children’s museum: Tue-Sun 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free-$10.50. 978-264-4200, www.discoverymuseums.org

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Hands-on exhibits engage children in the world around them, from environmental issues to a construction site. Through January, visit Building Brainstorm in the Global Gallery, featuring exhibits about architecture and design. 308 Congress St., Boston. Sat-Thu 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free-$12. 617-426-6500, www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Get up close and personal with one of the world’s only mounted Kronosauruses, a marine reptile stretching 42 feet. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-$9. 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 617-495-3045, www.hmnh.harvard.edu

Cape Cod Children's Museum

CAPE COD CHILDREN’S MUSEUM A current exhibit teaches about Bernoulli’s Method of finding roots in mathematics. Tue-Thu 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Free-$7. 577 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee. 508-539-8788, www.capecodchildrensmuseum.org

Stephanie Abair Photo

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN EASTON Equipped with a rocket ship and command center, one of the exhibits allows children to seem to blast into space and receive a commemorative badge. Tue-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun noon-5 p.m. Free-$7. 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 508-230-3789, www.childrensmuseumineaston.org

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

PAUL REVERE HOUSE Children can try on traditional clothing from the Revere family, with staff assistance. Beginning Nov. 1, daily 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. $1-$3.50 19 North Square, Boston. 617-523-2338, www.paulreverehouse.org

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM Lay the deck and add the planking yourself as you construct a miniature USS Constitution. Beginning Nov. 1, daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Free. Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston. 617-426-1812, www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

The Boston Globe

HIGGINS ARMORY MUSEUM The Castle Quest interactive gallery is where you can try your hand in a virtual joust. Jousting weapons are displayed, as are many historical armaments and outfits. Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun noon-4 p.m. Free-$10. 100 Barber Ave., Worcester. 508-853-6015, www.higgins.org

Tom Herde/Globe Staff

FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM Two whimsical creations by Leo Sewell, an artist who works with found objects ranging from tennis rackets to plastic toys, are on display: “Duck’’ and “The Seated Lady.’’ 455 Oak St., Brockton. Tue-Sun 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Wed 5-9 p.m. Free-$8. 508-588-6000, www.fullercraft.org

Courtesy of Connecticut Children's Museum

CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUMThe words of the beloved classic “Goodnight Moon’’ fill large magnets, in different languages and Braille, so children can assemble them across a large magnetic wall. Fri-Sat noon-5 p.m. $7.50. 22 Wall St., New Haven. 203-562-5437, www.childrensbuilding.org

Courtesy of Imagine Nation Museum

IMAGINE NATION MUSEUMA newly renovated Greenscape offers an interactive exhibit featuring live animals and exotic plants in a Southwestern habitat. Children can even throw on a pair of cowboy boots and ride on a saddle. Wed-Fri 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Free-$7. One Pleasant St., Bristol, Conn. 860-314-1400, www.imaginenation.org

Maple Grove Farms

MAPLE GROVE FARMS OF VERMONTLearn about how farmers used to gather sap and boil it down and about modern sugaring in the Sugar House Museum. Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Free. 1052 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, Vt. 802-748-5141, www.maplegrove.com

James Daigle Photography/Maine Discovery Museum

THE MAINE DISCOVERY MUSEUM Kids can play at Messy Art, a program allowing them to build artistic skills while they design with sparkle, puffy, day-glow, scented, and washable paints. Tue-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon- 5 p.m. $7.50. 74 Main St., Bangor. 207-262-7200, www.mainediscoverymuseum.org

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AND THEATRE OF MAINE Visit “What About Whales?’’ an exhibit in which Istar, a life-size inflatable whale, is lowered so that you can climb inside and learn all about how the mammal functions in her natural environment. Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Free-$9. 142 Free St., Portland, Maine. 207-828-1234, www.kitetails.org

Handout

THE COASTAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUMKids and parents are encouraged to visit together, seeing various interactive exhibits while learning about the natural world around them. Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 1-4 p.m. $5. Sharp’s Point South, 75 Mechanic St., Rockland, Maine. 207-596-0300, www.coastalchildrensmuseum.org

Courtesy of Providence Children's Museum

PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUMIn “Water Ways,’’ children explore fluid dynamics - how water moves - by watching it, touching it, and redirecting it. They can tumble boats and balls down the waterfall, build mazes to channel the flow, and construct fountain systems. Tue-Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$8.50. 100 South St., Providence. 401-273-5437, www.childrenmuseum.org

Travis Dove for The Boston Globe

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE Play paleontologist for the day in the Dinosaur Dig with your own goggles as you unearth Triceratops fossil replicas and compare them with other dinosaur fossils. Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Free-$9. 6 Washington St., Dover, N.H. 603-742-2002, www.childrens-museum.org