Best Boston Kids Activities

Family-friendly attractions for kids in Boston

Looking for some fun Boston kids activities? If you're like my family when we travel, you may be hoping to find interesting things to do with your children that you'll also enjoy.

If you're here for a Boston vacation with your family, you'll quickly appreciate the city's wide range of activities and attractions for kids and for all-round family fun. Best of all, many of them are affordable and even free.

My list includes a mix of the best outdoor activities for kids in Boston, enjoyable indoor destinations for rainy, snowy, and steamy days, plus a few seasonal events. (Be sure to check my Boston Event Calendars for details.)

Your whole family will gain a great perspective of the city while enjoying these favorite Boston kids activities - especially since some of them are also great grownup activities as well. Best of all, you'll experience some of the city's best attractions.

Tell us about your own favorite Boston kids activities

Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Boston

Everyone, young and old, will enjoy these family-friendly Boston outdoor activities.

Tour the city

Start off your visit to Boston by going on a guided tour of the city. Boston Duck Tours offer lots of family fun as you ride in a World-War II-style amphibious vehicle past many top historic sites. The "ConDUCKtor" entertains you while telling you about Boston's history, encourages you to "quack" at pedestrians (who may surprise you by quacking back) . . . and then you plunge into the Charles River and the real fun begins.

See the city on wheels

Go on a guided Boston bike tour, or create your own by renting bikes for as little as 2 hours. The guide-led bike tours offer options that are great Boston kids activities - and fun for parents, too. If you're considering the DIY route, the Boston Esplanade is a safe, easy place for kids to ride.

Watch a game

Cheer for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, or for the Boston Celtics or Bruins at TD Garden. You'll usually find tickets for lesser known Boston sports teams easier to get, less expensive - and sometimes the players will even autograph balls for kids.

Can't get tickets? Boston has lots of great sports bars where you can see the games on the big screen. Although not all of them are appropriate for children, some such as Boston Beer Works and Bleacher Bar are family-friendly. Check out Boston bars near Fenway and Boston bars near the Garden. If in doubt, call to confirm before you bring your kids.

Tour Fenway Park

A Fenway Park tour is one of the top Boston kids activities plus a fabulous way to see the ball park close up and explore areas that you can't access during games - plus the tours are a lot more affordable than Red Sox tickets! This is your chance to walk across the playing field, go inside the Green Monster, and visit the dugout. Kids love this experience, and for a lot of Boston visitors, it's the highpoint of their trip.

Gaze at the stars

On Friday nights between 8:30pm and 10pm, head up to the roof of the parking garage at Boston's Museum of Science, where you'll find the Gilliland Observatory and other star-struck gazers. Knowledgeable museum personnel will help you use the computer-controlled, Celestron CGE 1100 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope during this free event. Nearest T station: Green Line/Lechmere.

Go on a picnic

Stop by one of Boston's specialty food markets (DeLuca's on Newbury Street in Back Bay and Charles Street in Beacon Hill, Foodie's Urban Market or other gourmet markets in the South End, any small grocery or bakery in the North End, the Food Hall in Quincy Market) and scoop up some goodies. Head to one of Boston's many parks and green spaces - Boston Common, the Boston Esplanade, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Christopher Columbus Park - and enjoy an impromptu picnic for one of the best Boston kids activities - and fun for the whole family.

Take a walk through history

Teens may enjoy exploring the entire length of Boston's 2.5 mile historic Freedom Trail. If your children are younger, everyone may be happier if you pick a short section. An approach that works well for me is to pick a site that you think your kids will like, such as the USS Constitution, add a nearby site that you want to visit, and plan to get everyone a treat at Quincy Market or in a North End bakery.

Visit Faneuil Hall

Blend together history and shopping by visiting popular Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Boston's historic Freedom Trail. Young kids love climbing around the base of the statue of Revolutionary War Patriot Samuel Adams, parents may long for a nice cold Sam Adams - and everyone loves exploring the shops. Don't forget to stop by the Food Hall in Quincy Market for lunch - or try one of the many other excellent restaurants in the area.

Reflect on freedom and loss

The 6 glass towers of the Boston Holocaust Memorial, very close to Faneuil Hall, are dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the Nazi concentration camps. Kids about 10 years old and up will find walking along the black granite path connecting the towers and reading the memorial plaques to be a moving and educational experience.

Reenact the Boston Tea Party

Liberty Clipper, a splendid reproduction of a classic 19th century Tall Ship, and a troupe of local actors offer kids the chance to reenact the Boston Tea Party as they sail around Boston Harbor. By the end of this special tall ship cruise, they'll be tossing chests of tea into the water . . . so be sure to have your camera handy!

See the whole city at once

Enjoy panoramic views of Boston and beyond from the Prudential Skywalk on the 50th floor of Prudential Center or from the free observation deck at Independence Wharf.

Enjoy a free outdoor concert

During summer months, you'll find free outdoor concerts popping up all over the city. From late June through early August, Boston Harbor Hotel on Rowes Wharf features musical performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

The Institute of Contemporary Art hosts weekly evening concerts from late June through early September. Weekday concerts starting around noon can be found on many days in the Prudential Center, Copley Square, and Post Office Square. And then there are the biggest concerts of all, the annual Boston Pops Concerts followed by fireworks on the Esplanade.

Enjoy free theater

For a couple of weeks each summer, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company delights delights audiences with its free Shakespeare on the Common productions. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy these family-friendly productions under the stars on Boston Common. This is one of the top Boston kids activities - and fun for everyone.

Go on a campus tour

If you have children who will be filling out college applications some day, it's never too soon to start touring prospective campuses. With 60+ universities and colleges in Boston, Cambridge, and other nearby communities, you'll find plenty of interesting choices.

Hang out in Harvard Square

Just a short ride on the Red Line from Boston, Harvard Square is another world. Laid-back but bustling, filled with bookstores and interesting shops, Harvard Square is the perfect place to spend a few hours exploring with your kids. Walk around Harvard Yard, visit the Old Burying Ground (Mass Ave - Garden Street intersection) where Cato Stedman and Neptune Frost, African-American veterans of the Revolutionary War are buried, and stop by Burdick's (52 Brattle Street) for fabulous hot chocolate.

Go skiing

During winter months, several Massachusetts ski areas within an hour's drive of Boston (plus other slightly farther away) offer downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski lessons, snowboarding, and more.

Visit the Boston Harbor Islands

During summer months, ferries leave several times a day from Long Wharf for the Boston Harbor Islands. Exploring historic Fort Warren, swimming on the beach at Spectacle Island, and examining life in tidal pools makes this one of everyone's favorite Boston kids activities.

Play on the beach

Head to the beach at Castle Island and go for a treat at Sully's. Or visit some of the other Boston beaches accessible by public transportation.

Watch free movies at the Hatch Shell in July and August

Head down to the Boston Esplanade by the Charles River for free Friday flicks at 8pm on Friday nights are top Boston kids activities due to kid-pleasing selections such as Kung Fu Panda and Star Wars. Don't forget your blanket and bug spray.

Visit the ducklings in the Public Garden

One of everybody's favorite Boston kids activities is visiting the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Public Garden inspired by Robert McCloskey's classic book, Make Way for Ducklings.

The child-size bronze statues by sculptor Nancy Schön feature Mrs. Mallard and her 8 offspring: Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. Free.

Ride on Boston's Swan Boats

Both children and adults love the famed pedal-powered Swan Boats in the Lagoon in Boston's Public Garden. You'll even ride past the island where Mrs. Mallard brought her ducklings. Tickets are so inexpensive that you can go for more than one ride.

Talk to the animals

Boston's Franklin Park Zoo is one of the favorite Boston kids activities, especially with the younger set. You can explore tropical rainforests, the Australian outback, and the African savannah and see tigers, giraffes, lions, kangaroos, and many other animals, birds, and insects in recreations of their natural habitats. Check Zoo NewEngland for details.

Watch seals frolic

Stop by the outdoor habitat where seals live at the waterfront New England Aquarium. The habitat is really a large, deep tank with rocky outcroppings that mimic the seals native New England coastal home. You can watch the seals play all year round. Best of all, watching the seals play is free.

Whales and sea birds seen on Boston whale watching cruise (c) 2006 pr3vie

Whales and sea birds seen on Boston whale-watching cruise
Copyright 2006 pr3vie

Watch whales eat

Learn about whales and other marine mammals from the naturalists on board Boston's popular whale watching cruises. You'll also enjoy the scenery as your boat takes you to Stellwagen Bank marine sanctuary.

Twirl around the ice

Do your kids enjoy ice skating? Boston and nearby Cambridge have several great rinks where you can rent skates and take a spin on the ice for a nominal fee. One of the most convenient is on Boston Common's Frog Pond. Some of the rinks also offer lessons. This is definitely a top Boston kids activity during the winter months.

Play frisbee on the Common

Frisbees are small and light to pack . . . so slip one into your suitcase. Tossing a frisbee on Boston Common is one of the best Boston kids activities - and adults can have fun and get some exercise too.

Romp in Christopher Columbus Park

Located just north of the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, this small jewel-like park connects the North End with the Quincy Marketplace area, especially now that the Rose Kennedy Greenway is open. Children love the playground area, and the open green spaces are another super frisbee location.

Top Indoor Boston Kids Activities

Don't let cold or rainy weather, summer heat and humidity, or even snow put a damper on your plans for family fun. Check out these fun inside Boston kids activities, including some of the city's top museums. You'll find a lot to do that's fun, even when the Boston weather is good.

Share a few laughs

Several Boston comedy clubs offer family-friendly shows. Improv Boston (actually located near Central Square in Cambridge) features many shows for all ages. During the weeks leading up to Halloween, attending their Gorefest: A Boatload of Gore show is one of the favorite Boston kids activities, although it is not recommended for the squeamish or the very young. Improv Asylum in Boston's North End offers some shows for ages 17 and up. Goldstar Events (free sign-up) usually has half-price tickets for a number of comedy shows.

Interact with art

ICA Boston usually offers at least a couple of family-oriented events each month. Although they vary quite a bit, they usually involve interaction with contemporary artists, the chance to make some art, and perhaps dance performances, films, or hands-on graphic design. Some are free for up to 2 adults per family with children 12 and under, while others require a fee or paid museum admission. Check out the Boston Event Calendar for each month for more details.

Enjoy an evening at the theater

For Boston theater family fun, check out Blue Man Group, 3 bald blue-painted performers who perform a series of skits and funny pieces enjoyed by all ages. Teens and adults love Shear Magic, where the audience gets to help solve a pun-filled mystery set in a hair salon. Both shows are long-running favorites for Boston kids activities at the Charles Playhouse in the Theatre District. Check Goldstar Events (free sign-up) for half-price theater tickets.

Go to the movies

Boston movie theaters are alive and well, and you'll find a wide range of choices - everything from first-run commercial movies to foreign, classic, and indie films. Not all, of course, will be suitable for children, but you'll find many that are.

Explore and learn

The Boston Children's Museum provides lots of different spaces and activities where children from about 3 - 10 can explore the world around them - and learn things while they're at it. The spectacular South Boston waterfront location is just a short walk from South station. Check out $1 Fridays.

Bowl

Kings, located in Back Bay next to the Hynes Center (50 Dalton Street) has a terrific bowling alley as well as lots of big screens with sports. After 6pm, this popular Boston sports bar is strictly 21+. But before then, you and your kids can have a lunch and a fun afternoon knocking down the pins.

Pay tribute to your favorite athletes

The New England Sports Museum, located on 2 floors in TD Garden, features knockout exhibits dedicated to the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Revolution, and Celtics.

Check out the dinosaur bones

Harvard's Natural History Museum, located in Cambridge, will thrill your budding scientists as they explore the exhibits on animals, plants, and minerals. A few hours in this popular museum tops many favorite Boston kids activities lists.

Spend a day with the fish

New England Aquarium is full of them - everything thing from a huge coral reef populated with sand tiger sharks, stingrays, and tropical reef fish to an Amazon rainforest. Kids especially love the magical sea dragons and graceful sea jellies.

Examine some mummies

One of the most popular Boston kids activities is visiting the Egyptian rooms in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts on Huntington Ave where their world-class collection of mummies is on display. You'll also see lots of other terrific exhibits - but what the kids always remember are the mummies.

Seasonal Events for Family Fun

To find exact dates and other details about all of these seasonal events, check the Boston Event Calendar for the particular month.

Watch robots perform

Catch Boston's largest robot competition at the free annual Boston FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Regional Robotics Competition. Usually held at Boston University on a Friday and Saturday in March. In addition to the entertaining antics of the robots, comedians from the Blue Man Group usually add to the entertainment. Best for kids about 8 and older. Check the Boston Events Calendar for March for details.

Watch the Boston Marathon

Along the 26-mile course, you'll find plenty of mellow, kid-friendly spots to watch - check my Boston Marathon route page for suggestions.

Indulge yourselves at Scooper Bowl

Kids and grown-ups alike love Scooper Bowl, a 3-day all-you-can-eat ice cream and cancer fundraising event in June. Proceeds are donated to Boston's Jimmy Fund to support cancer research and treatments at world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Celebrate Independence Day where American Liberty Began

Boston's free July 4th celebration on the Esplanade along the Charles River actually begins with a Boston Pops concert at the Hatch Shell on July 3, plus another concert and a spectacular display of Boston fireworks over the river on July 4. Because of the very large crowds and (usually) heat, this event may be best for older kids.

Watch the Head of the Charles Regatta

Watch from the Boston Esplanade or nearby bridges as rowers from Boston and all over the world compete in the world's largest 2-day regatta on the Charles River.

Enjoy a Halloween Parade

Maybe it's all the historic graveyards, not to speak of the ghost stories . . . but for about a month before Halloween, Boston goes crazy with decorations and special events. If you're here with your children on the Sunday before the Big Day, head to the Common at noon for one of the most cherished local Halloween traditions, the South End's Annual Divas Unleashed Halloween Pet Parade. This is one of the favorite Boston kids activities - and adults enjoy it too. (Not sure about Pooch.)

Attend classes at MIT

Every fall, Boston's famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology hosts Splash, normally held during the weekend before Thanksgiving in November. MIT students and faculty offer classes from 1 to several hours in length on topics of their choice ranging from the chemistry of making chocolate truffles to topics in advanced math - and everything in between.

For a modest fee of about $30, middle school and high school students can sign up for as few or as many courses as they can cram into 2 days.

For more information, google "MIT Splash" (the url seems to change locations on the MIT website so this is the best way to find the latest info; if "MIT Splash" doesn't work, try "MIT HSSP").

Join the annual Boston Common Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

In early December, Boston's Mayor turns on the lights on the city's official Christmas Tree, given to the city by Nova Scotia in commemoration of the special bond between Boston and Nova Scotia that goes back to 1917, when a munitions ship exploded in Halifax Harbor and Boston helped with relief efforts. Performances by Canadian and Bostonian singers add to the festivities. The annual holiday display features over 80 illuminated trees in Boston Common and the Public Garden. Check the Boston Events Calendar for December for details.

Celebrate First Night

Count down the minutes until the New Year at First Night Boston, a day-long event starting at 1pm on December 31st and continuing until the New Year is ushered in at midnight. Boston's art and community groups stage this alcohol-free celebration at 40+ indoor and outdoor venues featuring entertainers, ice sculptures, dancers, parades, puppet shows, and much, much more. Although this ranks a one of the top Boston kids activities, crowds of more than a million and sometimes-frigid temperatures mean that it may be best for somewhat older children and teens. Check the Boston Events Calendar for December for details.

What's your favorite Boston kids activity?

Have you (or your children) discovered a great kids activity in Boston that others might enjoy? For example, the carousel on the Greenway, a special place to picnic, or a favorite excursion like the Boston Harbor Islands? Please share it with us!

Tell us a little about it - why your kids love it - plus what you like best about it. If you have specific recommendations, like the best time of year to do it or what ages will enjoy it the most, please tell us that also.

Thanks for sharing your Boston favorite!

Enter a title for your recommendation, such as "Best Carousel Ride for Kids in Boston"

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