The 22 best things to do with kids in Boston

What is it? When you imagine having a family-friendly, fun day in Boston, the Boston Common Frog Pond will likely comes to mind. Each season sees something new to do with kids at this attraction in the middle of America’s oldest public park.

Why go? The iconic ice rink hosts a steady, multigenerational throng of skaters through winter, while those who prefer to stay on non-slippery ground can snuggle up beside the snack bar with a hot chocolate and free Wi-Fi. In the summer, the Frog Pond becomes a splash fountain—the easiest way for city families to cool off without leaving town.

Don’t Miss: Half-price college nights lure in students (they even offer free nights for certain universities), and littles can learn from Bobby the Skating Seal, a rentable rink prop. Kids of all ages can sign up for skating lessons with the Skating Club of Boston. Just remember to dress for the weather: Crowds and waiting are inevitable. 

Address: 38 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108

What is it? There are thousands of aquatic animals to visit at the Aquarium—from the African penguins to Myrtle the green sea turtle and the California sea lions.

Why go? Speaking from experience, kids will always remember the spectacular centerpiece of this excellent aquarium: The colossal, 200,000-gallon salt-water replica of a Caribbean coral reef. Three stories tall, the tank is alive with moray eels, stingrays, gigantic sea turtles and sharks to watch swim around all day. On a smaller scale, a touch tank exhibit lets children dip their hands into the cold water of a tidal basin and get up close and personal with starfish, sea urchins and hermit crabs.

Don’t Miss: The huge indoor penguin exhibit is one of the city’s most enduring nature attractions, and the playful inhabitants of the outdoor seal enclosure are visible to anybody walking by, whether they hold tickets or not. Additionally, the New England Aquarium boasts an IMAX theater showing state-of-the-art 3D films that put viewers in the middle of the action.

Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

What is it? It’s fast, it’s exciting and it’s rewarding—even if you don’t spot one of these gigantic, aquatic mammals (though you probably will). The New England Aquarium's whale watch program takes passengers to the federally protected Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, home not only to a plethora of whale species—humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, pilots and even the endangered right whale—but also dolphins, seabirds and otters.

Why go? Naturalists on board offer detailed knowledge about each animal and patiently answer all questions from even the youngest passengers.

Don’t Miss: Unlike other slow-moving whale watch boats, the aquarium’s customized (and eco-friendly) catamaran whisks you to the sanctuary at 35 miles per hour, which means more time for whale-tail gazing.

What is it? One of the most influential children’s museums in the world and a Fort Point Channel landmark, the Boston Children’s Museum was founded in 1913 and remains a beloved local institution among generations of area youngsters.

Why go? Inside the interactive gem of a museum, kids find themselves immersed in various open areas, exploring things like science activities, puzzles to solve and kid-powered playscapes. The centerpiece of the museum is a twisty, turning three-story climbing structure made of serpentine wires and curved plywood sails.

Don’t Miss: Martin’s Park is just across the street, which is a free-to-visit, inclusive, outdoor play space from the City of Boston in memory of Martin Richard, a young victim of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Address: 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210

What is it? See the city from above at View Boston, the stunning observatory that takes up the top three floors of the iconic Prudential Tower (that’s 52 stories up).

Why go? The immersive attraction offers each visitor a personalized perspective on the city, with interactive displays featuring tidbits about Boston art, music, history, neighborhoods and more. Tickets are $15–$34 for families to access to indoor and outdoor observation decks, exhibits and bars.

Don’t Miss: Head out to the Observation Deck to see 360-degree views.

Address: 800 Boylston St. Floor 52, Boston, MA 02199

What is it? Boston’s kids love a good tee party. Puttshack is just where you want to take your budding golfers for a fun time of colorful time on nine-hole mini golf courses.

Why go? This tech-infused mini golf spot is high energy, and the courses are pretty smart too. The golf balls actually keep score for you. They’re equipped with Trackaball Technology. Translation: they keep track of every stroke, hazard, and point scored so no more arguing over who did what.

Don’t Miss: This location becomes 21+ after 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with a final tee time of 8pm. Check out the onsite restaurant that boasts a menu packed with familiar favorites (and exceptional cocktails for you, the grownups). Also of note is Puttshack’s ACE the Course education program, its new STEM-certified experience designed for teaching young students on field trips and in camp programs (this initiative is proudly backed by the prestigious STEM.org Accreditation Trustmark). Educators interested, check here for more info.

Address: 58 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, MA 02210

What is it? At Somerville’s Assembly Row shopping center, look for the giant LEGO giraffe to guide you to the bastion of building blocks, where you and your kids can freestyle your own creations and activities.

Why go? Launch race cars off ramps, enjoy action-packed adventures in the 4D film theater and Great Lego Race virtual reality experiences, meet master builders (as well as Lego characters) and more.

Don’t Miss: Check out Miniland to see little replicas of famous Boston landmarks made from more than 1.5 million LEGOs. Visiting with a really rambunctious youngster? Show them the play zones for jungle gym and climbing wall activities. Some attractions require reservations, with tickets starting at $25. Kids under 2 are free, and super tiny hands love the Duplo Park.

Address: 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

What is it? For some good old-fashioned fun, take the kids for a spin in a swan boat. A part of Boston tourist history, these odd watercrafts were created by designer Robert Paget in 1877. Nearly 140 years later, the experience has barely changed in the most delightful ways.

Why go? For less than $5 per person, you’ll spend 15 minutes cruising around a small lagoon in Boston Public Garden. The season runs mid-April through early September. 

Don’t Miss: Amid the ducks and willows in the heart of the nation’s oldest botanical garden, kids may do their best imitations of swashbuckling pirates or quietly observe nature, while older family members reminisce about their own early visits to the city.

Address: 4 Charles St., Boston, MA 02116

What is it? Kids won’t even realize they’re engaging with educational activities while strolling this extremely child-friendly museum in Cambridge.

Why go? They’ll have fun classifying rocks, minerals, leaves and shells in the Natural Mysteries exhibit, or getting an up-close view of a 65-million-year-old fossil. Other highlights include live animal presentations and a butterfly room, the multimedia Charles Hayden Planetarium, and IMAX movies showing in the domed Mugar Omni Theater.

Don’t Miss: What kid doesn’t enjoy clomping up the Soundstairs? They light up in colors and sound like a piano. The Museum of Science also boasts an enormous gift shop, a café and a spectacular view of the Charles River from the vast windows in the back of the building.

Address: 1 Science Pk, Boston, MA 02114

What is it? While the 15-year Big Dig was no picnic for the city, the spoils of that construction battle have increased the quality of life in downtown Boston tenfold, especially for families. Now there's a 1.5-mile linear park where the elevated highway once ran, connecting from Chinatown and to the North End.

Why go? You can stroll its length over a lazy afternoon, stopping by kid-friendly attractions along the way, such as play structures, interactive art installations and splash fountains.

Don’t Miss: The pièce de résistance is the Greenway Carousel, which boasts 36 seats depicting native Massachusetts animals. When your littles need to cool down, there are seven water features along the Greenway to splash, wade and cool off. 

What is it? As fascinating as lions and tigers are on the TV screen, they’re far more impressive in the flesh. The Franklin Park Zoo has them all—in addition to zebras, gorillas, giraffes and a whole host of other exotic animals that wouldn’t normally be seen in the wilds of New England, let alone the heart of Boston.

Why go? Tucked along the Emerald Necklace of greenspace in Roxbury, the zoo’s mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain endangered species. Little visitors are well-served at the children's zoo, which features everything from a prairie dog neighborhood to a grass maze.

Don’t Miss: Speaking of little ones, Franklin Park Zoo frequently welcomes new babies to its resident population. Most recently a baby Hartmann’s mountain zebra was born, the first of this zebra species to be born at Franklin Park Zoo. Guests will love the new African Experience exhibit opening in April 2026 that will feature two integrated habitats: the new African Penguin Coast and an expanded African Savanna, home to ostriches, zebras and more. 

Address: 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston, MA 02121

What is it? Seeing a game at Fenway Park (oldest active Major League Baseball stadium) has always been a quasi-religious experience for younger fans—and the legendary ballpark has only gotten more family-friendly in recent years.

Why go? The Kids’ Concourse includes a high-speed pitching booth and MonsterVue, a 360-degree home run simulator; plus plenty of photo opps. Inside the concourse, Wally’s Clubhouse is open from the third to the seventh inning, where kids can play in virtual reality booths and take photos with a life-size LEGO replica of David Ortiz.

Don’t Miss: Be sure to teach your kids the lyrics to Sweet Caroline, so they can engage in the revelry during the midding of the eighth inning.

Address: 4 Jersey St., Boston, MA 02215

What is it? One or two lamps hung in the steeple of the Old North Church famously told patriots like Paul Revere how British troops were invading—but they’d have trouble calling this city tour, which goes by land and by sea. Anyway, your kids will love learning about Boston aboard amphibious vehicles.

Why go? Relics of World War II, this convoy today carries mainly tourists through the streets of Boston and the Charles River. Hop aboard vessels with names like Dorchester Dottie and discover sites in different neighborhoods, as your conDUCKtor weaves comically-tinged histories of the city of firsts.

Don’t Miss: Boston Duck Tours are ticketed and leave from the Prudential Center, Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium. Most runs give each passenger a duck "whistle" so they can quack along the route (a little souvenir for take home fun). Tickets range from $11 per little kid to $53 for adults.

Address: Boston Duck Tours has three departure locations: the Museum of Science, Prudential Center and New England Aquarium.

What is it? Free and open to the public, this beautiful, 265-acre living museum administered by Harvard University provides the opportunity to see more than 7,000 types of trees and plants from around the world. But don’t bother telling that to the kids. They’ll be too busy riding their bikes and scooters up and down the well-paved paths.

Why go? In May, Lilac Sunday coincides with Mother’s Day and is a must-do outdoor activity for families to celebrate the fragrant, flowering shrub. (It’s also the only day of the year that visitors can picnic on the grounds.)

Don’t Miss: No matter the time of year, there are other ways to have family fun at the Arboretum, with self-guided family activities such as pop-up WonderSpots (seasonal investigations), StoryWalks and scavenger hunts.

Address: 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130

What is it? If your kid is at least 7 years old and great at problem-solving, there’s a quest for them at Boda Borg in Malden (although based on their age, they might still need your help). America’s only location of the Swedish-founded “quest” room experience—think: the real-life version of a page-turner, video game or action flick—Boda Borg is full of 20 quest rooms with names like Alcatraz, Area 51, Eye of the Storm, and Boot Camp.

Why go? Armed with nothing more than general instructions, small groups of three to five solve challenges ranging from obstacle courses to brains-over-brawn conundrums. Choose your level of physicality, from brainpower and dexterity only to crawling through a tunnel and even more challenging obstacles.

Don’t Miss: The amount of quests you can attempt is unlimited, as entry is paid in two-hour increments of $30.

Address: 90 Pleasant St., Malden, MA 02148

What is it? The Mapparium—the world’s largest walk-in globe—is among the city’s quirkiest landmarks and catnip to any budding junior historian or geologist. Housed in the Mary Eddy Baker Library on the Christian Science Plaza, it’s a three-story model of the planet built to scale, running 30 feet in diameter and traversed by way of a glass bridge bisecting its interior.

Why go? Kids love the weird acoustics and outdated borders of the globe: Instead of depicting the world’s current geography, the 608 stained-glass panels recreate the planet as it was in the mid-1930s, when the project was completed. The Mapparium is not all about the past, however. The free interactive exhibit across the hall from the globe, entitled “How Do You See the World?,” offers stories and experiences exploring progress and possibilities.

Don’t Miss: Kids visit for free and it’s $6 for folks 17 and up.

Address: 210 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02115

What is it? When endless rain or cold, dreary temps have depleted your energy but not the kids’, why not turn in those waterproof boots for bowling shoes? Kings combines neon lanes with retro arcade games, corn hole, Giant Jenga, air hockey, billiards to entertain all ages, plus high-def screens for sports-viewing.

Why go? The local chain is also known for shareable fare at each location, like chicken tenders, specialty pizzas and burgers. Desserts are fun—and so are cocktails, for the caretakers.

Don’t Miss: With two locations in Boston proper plus more locations in the suburbs, it’s a fun pick for birthday parties—though note that after 9pm on weekends, Kings becomes 21-plus.

Address: Several locations

What is it? Launch Family Entertainment is all about high-energy, family-friendly fun, with expansive trampoline parks that give your kids the chance to work off all their excitement and energy. There are interactive attractions such as dodgeball, ninja and climbing courses, battle pits, XP arenas, arcade games, and, at select locations, laser tag, virtual reality and bowling.

Why go? You can pick your own experience tailored to your kid’s interest and your time frame, with three different ticket tiers that include levels of arcade credits and access to experiences like laser tag or virtual reality.

Don’t Miss: Launch has an in-house restaurant, Krave, that serves up hand-tossed pizzas, wings, ice cream, and more to help fuel your little ones through all the fun.

Address: There are locations in Framingham, North Attleboro, Norwood, Westborough, and Woburn.

What is it? The BPL can keep kids of all ages busy (and indoors) for hours. The historic original structure, completed in 1895, now serves as the research library, which might appeal to sophisticated tots who appreciate a good Sargent painting. But it’s the modern wing of the library—which underwent a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation about a decade ago—that’s the main event to future literati.

Why go? The Children’s Library is twice as large as its predecessor was, brightly decorated and packed to the gills not only with books, but also with computers, early literacy stations, reading list suggestions and comfy seating.

Don’t Miss: Come summer, the central branch of the BPL offers all sorts of special children’s programming, both within and beyond its walls.

Address: 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

What is it? It’s also among the oldest fortified military sites in North America. Fort Independence, a pentagonal granite structure that was finished in the 1850s, can be toured for free every Saturday and Sunday between noon-3:30pm. In other words, this 22-acre green space is a one-stop spot for a sunny afternoon.

Why go? South Boston lays claim to one of the city’s most appealing shoreline parks: Castle Island, where children can run through grassy knolls, hit the playground for a bit, then dig holes on the beach.

Don’t Miss: Finish up with hot dogs and ice cream at Sullivan’s, the onsite snack shack.

Address: 2010 Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127

What is it? What it lacks in size, this century-old zoo makes up for in personality. Suburban sibling to the Franklin Park Zoo, the Stone Zoo is set on 26 acres in Stoneham.

Why go? This spot lets visitors stroll the tree-lined paths to view animals from A(rctic fox) to Z(ebu). Favorites to watch are the Mexican gray wolf roaming around the outdoor habitat, and small things that slither inside the Animal Discovery Center.

Don’t Miss: Be sure to check out the pretty-in-pink flamingo cove.

Address: 149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA 02180

What is it? When a museum begs you to interact with its art, that is the place to take the kids. An unparalleled immersive art and technology experience voted one of the best 10 immersive experiences in the U.S by Time Out, WNDR has a location in Downtown Crossing.

Why go? The brand invites visitors to fully engage with artworks and multi-sensory installations, completely redefining the traditional museum experience of just looking at exhibits.

Don’t Miss: Across 17,000 square feet of space, more than 20 works by cutting-edge artists, collectives and technologists encourage dancing while light and images interact with your every move. General admission tickets are $32 with discounts for kids 3-12 and military personnel.

Address: 500 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111

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