18 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON WITH KIDS

Are you considering taking your family to Boston? Boston is a fantastic destination for families with children because it provides the ideal balance of history, culture, and entertainment. Boston is a fairly walkable city with many family-friendly activities, and using public transportation is simple and convenient for tourists. Whether your family is accustomed to urban areas or not, traveling to Boston with kids can be easily organized thanks to the abundance of family-friendly activities.

We’ve compiled a list of the top family-friendly activities in Boston. Boston has something for kids of all ages that will utterly fascinate and enchant them. Planning a family vacation to Boston? Move along!

Things to Do in Boston With Kids

Boston is a fantastic place for families to explore. Because Boston has such a rich history, every time we engage in a “touristy” activity, I learn more about our community.

Family-friendly activities abound; you just need to know where to seek them. We have activities for everyone, whether you want to let the kids run around outside, experience culture at a museum, or try something new.

#1. Boston Common Frog Pond

The easiest way for city families to cool themselves without leaving town is during the summer when the Frog Pond transforms into a splash fountain. On the other end, a carousel operates from April through the conclusion of the season. In the winter, you can bundle up, grab the kids’ skates (or rent them on-site), and go for a stroll in the heart of America’s first public park—ideally on a starry night. For the youngest children who are just learning to skate, Bobby the Skating Seal is a rink prop that can be rented. Children can also sign up for skating lessons with the Skating Club of Boston.

#2. New England Aquarium

This fantastic aquarium’s magnificent centerpiece is a massive 200,000-gallon salt-water recreation of a Caribbean coral reef. The 40-foot-diameter, three-story tank is teeming with moray eels, stingrays, enormous sea turtles, and sharks. On a smaller scale, a touch tank display enables kids to get up close and personal with starfish, sea urchins, and hermit crabs by dipping their hands into the chilly water of a tidal basin. One of the city’s most enduring natural attractions is the enormous indoor penguin exhibit. If the lines are very Take a break from standing in line and look at the animated animals in the outdoor seal enclosure. Modern 3D glasses are available in the IMAX theater to immerse viewers in the action.

#3. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Children of all ages like the giant blocks and race cars at Legoland, as well as the Kingdom Quest Laser Rider attractions and the 4D theater. The main draw for both young and old is Miniland, a miniature Lego recreation of well-known Boston landmarks. Send your boisterous child to one of the two play areas on site, which include climbing walls and jungle gyms, to truly tire them out.

#4. Explore the Boston Children’s Museum

Children of all ages can engage in hands-on exhibits and activities at the Boston Children’s Museum. It can be challenging to complete the entire museum in a single visit, so feel free to select activities according to your children’s preferences. Within the foyer, there is frequently a construction station, a sports area, and, of course, the renowned rope climbing structure!

Visit Martin’s Park, which was created in Martin Richard’s honor after he passed away at the 2013 Boston Marathon. This park, which has a ship-themed aesthetic, is a locals’ favorite. Perfect for a warm day are quick slides, playing pirates, and even a little splash pad.

#5. The Museum of Science

All ages can appreciate the various interactive displays there, but older children (ages 8 to 12) might find the engineering exhibit and planetarium performances more interesting than younger children. Many of the scientific ideas are intended for children ages 6 and up.

#6. Walk Over to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

There, you can catch a glimpse of street entertainers and purchase some fresh seafood from a food vendor. Any seafood restaurant is a favorite of ours (I usually get a fresh shrimp cocktail!). and the cart of chocolate chip cookies! Outside the aquarium is a fantastic legal seafood restaurant if you’d rather eat sitting down.

#7. The Park Street Church

In 1809, Park Street Church was constructed. One of the first sights visitors to Boston would encounter was the city’s 217-foot steeple. This steeple served as Boston’s highest point for a long time. Between the Boston Common and Granary Burying Ground stands this lovely chapel. Over the past 200 years, it has been crucial to history.

Throughout history, the church and its members have actively supported social justice and human rights. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s brother was a minister when he spoke out against slavery in 1826.

#8. King’s Chapel

One of Boston’s oldest churches is King’s Chapel. You can still go to this chapel, which was built in the 1680s, and sit in the pews. Some of the most exquisite architecture can be found inside this church. We were fortunate that a worker was on hand to respond to inquiries and share bits of history with us. A person was playing the organ up on the balcony while they took in the chapel’s tranquility and majesty. It was a lovely and unforgettable experience.

#9. The Park Street Church

Throughout history, the church and its members have actively supported social justice and human rights. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s brother was a minister when he spoke out against slavery in 1826.

#10. Go for a Ride on Codzilla

Make sure to reserve a ride on Codzilla if you want to give your trip a little adrenaline kick.

The 70-foot speedboat picks up passengers in the middle of Boston, right next to the New England Aquarium, and then takes them on a wet trip through the harbor at up to 40 mph. You would be hard-pressed to go on a ride and not depart with a huge smile on your face, with engines producing roughly 3,000 horsepower and a crew that likes to entertain. Hold on to your hats and be prepared to get drenched!

#11. Freedom Trail

If you’re going for a walk in Boston, the Freedom Trail is one route you must take.

This 2.5-mile trail leads you through downtown Boston, passing by 16 landmarks that are extremely significant to the history of the United States, including Paul Revere’s residence. It also provides you with some exercise.

Parents can simply make their own self-guided tour by following the red bricks throughout the city, even though children might not want to go on a guided tour.

#12. Let Your Kids Reenact the Boston Tea Party

Every year on December 16th, historically accurate re-enactors dressed in period garb act out the infamous Boston Tea Party, the Boston demonstration that ignited the Revolutionary War.

Your children (and you) can observe the municipal discussion that led to the choice before participating in the procession to the harbor to dump the tea.

#13. Bring the children to a free outdoor concert.

Free outdoor concerts start to appear all around the city in the summer. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights in late June through early August, the Boston Harbor Hotel on Rowes Wharf hosts musical concerts.

From late June to early September, the Institute of Contemporary Art conducts weekly concerts in the evening.

Many days during the week, the Prudential Center, Copley Square, and Post Office Square host concerts that begin at midday.

#14. Take Kids or Teens on a Campus Tour in Boston

It’s never too early to begin seeing potential campuses if you have children or teenagers who will one day fill out college applications.

There are many intriguing options, with more than 50 institutions and colleges in Boston, Cambridge, and other adjacent areas.

Your prospective college student can experience Boston’s cooler weather during your visit during the winter break and see whether it’s a “fit” for them.

To explore Harvard University’s well-known structures and sites and to gain an insightful and interesting perspective on Harvard culture and student life, sign up for an educational student-led campus tour.

#15. Bring your children to Boston on Wheels

Rent bikes for as little as two hours and construct your own tour of Boston while on a guided biking tour.
Bike trips with guides provide many entertaining options for youngsters and parents alike.

If you’re thinking about doing it yourself, the Boston Esplanade is a good option because it’s kid-friendly and safe, and you can rent bikes close to the Fiedler Footbridge flyover.

#16. Boston Common

The oldest park in America is Boston Common. Back in the 1600s, the Puritans founded it. Many significant historical occurrences in Boston have taken place at this location, including executions carried out during the Boston Witch Trials. Many British forces used the park as a base camp while occupying Boston during the American Revolution. At the Frog Pond, there are kid-friendly attractions for each season, such as a carousel, skating rink, and splash pad.

#17. Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

This memorial honors one of the first black regiments in the Civil War. You can simply stop and pause to look at it because it is on a wall outside. This magnificent bronze monument, which was the first open memorial to the brave African-American soldiers who fought and gave their lives for freedom during the Civil War, honors the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. In terms of Civil War and Civil Rights history, this beautiful memorial is significant.

#18. Is Boston Good for Kids?

Since families make up a sizable portion of the Boston audience, whether they are local or visiting children, most venues go above and beyond to make accommodations for them. Family restrooms are available everywhere at Boston Logan Airport, and parents of young children are frequently (but not always) permitted to use the fast lanes through immigration and security.

Families are generally welcomed in most places, and features like kids’ menus and discounted admission to museums are common. To captivate their youngest visitors, several museums also provide special programs and activity packages. There is a ton of green space in the city, as well as plenty of climbing walls and water features, even in downtown. Public restrooms are also available around the city; however, many of them cannot accommodate strollers and frequently lack changing rooms. Consult the city’s interactive map of public restrooms for further information.

Where can I take my kids to Boston?

Fenway Park, 17,322. Arenas and Stadiums
Freedom Trail: 17,791 Historic Walking Areas
Boston Common, 6,515. Parks USS Constitution, 2,444. Ships
Old North Church and Historic Site, 3,107

Why is Boston so well-known?

The Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots are among the sports teams that the city supports, in addition to the well-known Red Sox. Beer and sports often go hand in hand, and brewpubs and microbreweries are very well-liked in this metropolis. Here are a few of the reasons why Boston is such a great travel destination:

How Many Days to See Boston With Kids?

While a short trip can make certain cities feel extremely rushed, three days in Boston offer you plenty of time to see a lot while still leaving you wanting more. Additionally, it offers something for everyone in the form of family-friendly museums, fine dining, outdoor spaces, and history.

Do you need a car in Boston?

Boston is quite easy to get to using any of your preferred modes of transportation. In particular, if you stay put, walking, biking, and public transportation are your best bets. But don’t worry if you’re looking for a car in Boston. For rental automobile firms, there are many options available.

Summary

Although Boston is a relatively tiny city, it has everything it takes to compete with larger ones and is worth a trip on its own.

You can be sure that “America’s Walking City” will have something exciting for you and your young children, from top-notch museums and cuisine to fantastic shopping and outdoor areas.

Your next vacation to Boston is going to be packed with entertaining ideas after reading this article, whether you are there in the winter and want to go ice skating and then attend a Celtics game, or you prefer to go kayaking and whale watching and then have a lobster roll.

18 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON WITH KIDS