FamxplorBest Things to Do with Kids in Boston – Family Picks
Discover Boston's Kid-Friendly Charms: Climb aboard historic ships, explore interactive museums, and enjoy iconic playgrounds. Our family picks highlight the best activities for kids of all ages!
Explore our top family travel blog posts for Boston 👇
3 Days in Boston: Weekend Itinerary with Kids
This family ❤️:
- Freedom Trail
- Walked by the Granary Burying Ground, Boston Latin School, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre site, and Faneuil Hall.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the historic sites and the parents enjoyed the history and the walk.
- Paul Revere House
- Visited the house and museum, and participated in a kid's booklet activity.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the interactive experience and the parents enjoyed the history.
- USS Constitution
- Took a tour of the ship and visited the visitors' center.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the ship and the parents enjoyed the history.
- Bunker Hill Monument
- Climbed the monument and visited the museum.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the climb and the parents enjoyed the view.
- Boston Public Library
- Attended a lunchtime event and visited the children's section.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the event and the parents enjoyed the library.
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42 Unmissable things to do in Boston with kids
This family ❤️:
- View Boston
- We visited the 360-degree observation deck on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower and enjoyed the fabulous views across the city and beyond.
- ✨ Our kids had a great time, finding the sights and simply being so high up.
- Harvard University
- We visited Harvard University and took a photo opportunity in front of one of Harvard’s iconic buildings.
- ✨ The surrounding area of Cambridge is also cute, and there’s both a Mike’s Pastry and J.P.Licks right next to Harvard Square, which are iconic Boston treats.
- Beacon Hill Books
- We visited Beacon Hill Books, one of the prettiest bookstores I’ve ever been to, in a historic building with a pastel palette and the feel of an upscale living room.
- ✨ The kids’ section on the top floor is gorgeous with a train running around the edge and a tiny door for kids to enter by.
- Boston Children’s Museum
- We visited the Boston Children’s Museum, one of the best kids’ museums we’ve ever been to, with an incredible three-storey climbing frame.
- ✨ Both Otis and Arlo had the time of their lives there.
- Museum of Science
- We visited the Museum of Science, a fantastic one, especially the Theater of Electricity where you get to watch a show of exciting Tesla Coils creating huge sparks up to 8-feet long!
- ✨ Our kids loved the immersive Arctic experience where you can try your hand at traversing a glacier with a GPR scanner and touch a wall of real ice.
- Duck Tour
- We did the duck tour, a great tour and a perfect introduction to Boston.
- ✨ Our kids were entertained by the novelty of being on a car that can drive into the river!
- Franklin Park Zoo
- We had a fun day out at Franklin Park Zoo where the kids enjoyed the playgrounds as much as the animals.
- ✨ They have all sorts, from giraffes to gorillas and pygmy hippos.
- And more...
Boston's Freedom Trail With Kids: Why Do It and Which Tour To Choose
Boston, MA- USS Constitution and Charlestown Navy Yard
This family ❤️:
- Walk below the Zakim Bridge
- The family walked below the Zakim Bridge and watched skateboarders, a kid on a scooter, and a couple women in roller skates.
- ✨ The family enjoyed watching the skateboarders and roller skaters.
- USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young
- The family explored the USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young.
- ✨ The kids loved climbing all over the boats, checking out cannons and hammock sailors' quarters, and ringing the bell.
- Shipyard Park
- The family spent some downtime at Shipyard Park.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed picking and blowing every dandelion puff they could find.
- Thomas Menino Park
- The family played at Thomas Menino Park.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the unique play structures, including slides with metal rollers and rolling hills of rubberized play surface to climb.
Boston, USA
This family ❤️:
- Boston Common
- The kids played at the ‘tadpole’ playground in the Common. The kids kept cool in the splash ‘frog’ pool and made friends with other kids in the playground.
- ✨ The variety of languages we heard from families in the playground.
- Public Gardens
- We walked around the lake, visited the famous bench where Good Will Hunting was filmed, and reminisced about our favourite Robin Williams’ films.
- ✨ The lake with its iconic ‘swan boats’ which have been in operation since 1877 in the Public Gardens.
- Beacon Hill and Charles River Esplanade
- We walked up Charles Street and explored the Beacon Hill area. The kids spent about an hour playing at the Esplanade playground.
- ✨ The feel of this area - leafy with attractive historic red brick buildings.
- Back Bay
- We walked the length of Newbury Street which is in the Back Bay Area and runs from the Public Gardens to Fenway Park.
- ✨ The area, it was lively and interesting.
- Boston Children’s Museum
- The kids learnt about forces in the Kids Power zone, engineering in the fort building area, and the life cycle of strawberry plants in the rooftop veg garden.
- ✨ The museum was full of construction, technology and science activities.
- North End
- We walked around the area to take in some more of Boston’s historic sights on the ‘freedom trail’.
- ✨ The neighbourhood which felt more ‘real’ compared to downtown.
Exciting things to do in Boston with Kids
This family ❤️:
- The Freedom Trail
- The family took The Freedom Trail Foundation’s Walk Into History Tour, led by guides in historic clothing who took on the role of a historical figure, to learn about Boston and see signature landmarks in the heart of the city.
- ✨ The family enjoyed the interactive way of learning about America’s fascinating start and seeing Boston at the same time.
- Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum
- The family visited the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, where kids climbed aboard an actual ship, again with guides in costume and learned about the Boston Tea Party.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the interactive way of learning about the Boston Tea Party.
- Public Garden
- The family visited the Public Garden, where they saw the famous Make Way For the Ducklings statue, based off the children’s picture book, or to take a ride on the Swan Boats.
- ✨ The family enjoyed the quiet afternoon or enjoy their snack from Charles Street.
The 20+ Best Things To Do In Boston With Kids (Not To Miss!)
This family ❤️:
- Freedom Trail Foundation's Walk Into History Tour
- The family took a guided tour led by guides in historic clothing, learning about important events that led to the American Revolution through fascinating storytelling and visiting important sites.
- ✨ The family enjoyed the interactive way of learning about America’s fascinating start and seeing Boston at the same time.
- Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
- The family climbed aboard an actual ship, with guides in costume and learned about the Boston Tea Party event.
- ✨ The kids loved this experience and learning a lot while stepping back into time in an interactive way.
- Faneuil Hall
- The family explored the historical displays, souvenir shops, and Quincy Market.
- ✨ The kids enjoyed the street performers and the family enjoyed lunch and shopping.
- Boston Common
- The family strolled around the park and visited the Frog Pond.
- ✨ The family enjoyed the quiet afternoon and the kids loved the Make Way For The Ducklings statue.
- Fenway Park
- The family watched a game and took a tour of the stadium.
- ✨ The kids loved the activities offered for families and the family enjoyed the traditional American baseball game.
- Boston's Children's Museum
- The family explored the interactive exhibits and educational hands-on activities.
- ✨ The kids loved the large climbing structure and the family enjoyed the unique exhibits.
- New England Aquarium
- The family visited the aquarium and saw various sea life.
- ✨ The kids loved touching rays and sharks and watching the sea creatures.
- And more...
Things to Do In Boston with Kids: 17 Family-Friendly Activities
This family ❤️:
- Boston Public Garden
- We visited the Public Garden, saw the statues of Mrs. Mallard with Jack, Kack, and their siblings, and took a ride on the swan boats.
- ✨ The kids loved hopping on the ducks for a photo, and even older kids and grownups loved reminiscing about a childhood favorite.
- USS Constitution
- We visited the USS Constitution, went aboard and explored the ship, and listened to the presentations on the top deck.
- ✨ We loved going below deck and checking out all the ladders and tiny shipboard rooms.
- Bunker Hill
- We climbed to the top of the monument for a great view of the city.
- ✨ It was perfect for burning off some energy!
- Boston Public Library
- We attended a concert by a folk group and visited the children’s section of the library.
- ✨ The kids loved going up to see the musicians and instruments afterwards.
- Boston Common
- We visited the Frog Pond, which is a little splash pad in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter.
- ✨ It’s just a lovely place to have room to run free – especially helpful when exploring a busy city.
- Boston Children’s Museum
- We visited the permanent exhibits, which house tons of imaginary play and crafts.
- ✨ Little ones will love a stop geared just to them!
- Paul Revere House
- We visited the Paul Revere house, walked through the old house and got a feel for what it would’ve been like to live in Revere’s time.
- ✨ It’s super fun to walk through the old house and get a feel for what it would’ve been like to live in Revere’s time.
- And more...
Is Boston kid friendly?
Boston is a great city for families with kids! There are plenty of kid-friendly activities, from museums and historical sites to parks and playgrounds.
You can visit the famous Boston Aquarium, where kids can learn about marine life and even touch some of the animals. The Boston Children's Museum is another must-see, with hands-on exhibits that are perfect for kids of all ages.
If you're looking for outdoor fun, the Boston Common and Public Garden offer plenty of space to run around, play, and enjoy the scenery. There are also several parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the city.