42 unmissable things to do in Boston with kids

Last updated on October 13, 2023

I didn’t have Boston pegged as a brilliant destination for families – in my mind it was more of a “grown-up” destination, one for history buffs and academic types. But my pre-conceptions were wrong, and Boston is a brilliant city for families.

It’s in part due to its size, which is manageable in comparison to places like New York, but it’s also because it’s big on fun – both for kids and adults. And for me, when it comes to city breaks, there’s nothing much better than a place that delivers on excitement for both us and the little ones, sometimes simply by walking around.

From watching the Red Sox at the iconic Fenway Park to whiling away a day on Boston Common, our family trip to Boston was filled with moments that delighted us all. Add to that world-class museums (the Children’s Museum is a must), an excellent public transport network, and tons of epic playgrounds for sightseeing breaks, and “Beantown” was one of the easiest family city breaks we’ve ever been on.

We visited as part of our epic New England road trip, and spent a brilliant week exploring the city highlights, spending time in local neighbourhoods, and discovering the best Boston family attractions.

So to help save you some time, here’s our pick of the best things to do in Boston with kids.

How to save money on a Boston family trip

We got a Boston CityPASS, which gives entry to four attractions and saves up to 45% on the usual admission price. The pass includes entry to the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium, as well as your choice of two attractions from this list: Boston Harbor City Cruises, Franklin Park Zoo, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and View Boston.

Other city pass options include the Go Boston Explorer Pass and Go Boston Pass, which also offer savings.

Bridges and Balloons favourite Boston family activities

• See the Red Sox at Fenway Park – one of the most memorable experiences from our entire New England trip
• Boston Children’s Museum – one of the best kids’ museums we’ve ever been to, with an incredible three-storey climbing frame
• Museum of Science – don’t miss the electricity show, featuring impressive Tesla coils
• Beacon Hill Books – an utterly charming bookstore with a fantastic kids’ section
• Frog Pond – fun splash park on Boston Common

Map of fun things to do in Boston with kids

42 unmissable activities for kids in Boston

We’ve broken this list down into a few different sections: best museums for kids in Boston, best outdoor adventures, and sports and entertainment. Plus a few at the start that didn’t fit in elsewhere. Here they are: the very best activities for kids in Boston.

See the city from View Boston

We love a good viewpoint and View Boston is a brilliant way to see the city from up high. The 360-degree observation deck is on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower and has fabulous views across the city and beyond.

There are little models and big screens that help you locate the city sights. Spot Fenway Park and Boston Common, and see the impressive architecture of Back Bay from above. Our kids had a great time, finding the sights and simply being so high up.

It’s part of the CityPass, so consider buying one of those to save money.

View Boston replaces the old Skywalk Observatory. 

Visit Harvard

A fun photo opportunity is getting your kids to pose in front of one of Harvard’s iconic buildings. You never know, it might be their future!

While kids are unlikely to be up for a guided tour, it’s possible to just wander around yourself and have a nosy (and be reminded of so many films). It’s said that rubbing the foot of the John Harvard statue brings good luck, but my Harvard alumni friend told me that people pee on it, so do be warned!

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

Beacon Hill is one of the most iconically charming parts of Boston where you’ll see some of the architecture the city is famous for. A good way to entice your kids to the area is with a trip to Beacon Hill Books.

It’s 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.

SoWa Open Market

This one is a little more for the adults than the kids, but we loved the SoWa Open Market in the South End district of the city, which combines a food and craft market with open artist studios.

It takes place on Sundays and has fun weekend vibes. Placate the kids with an ice cream while you browse the studios. Beware that the artists studios probably aren’t the best spot if you have little kids who struggle not to touch everything (like our 3-year-old!). But overall, we still recommend it as a fun family day out in Boston.

Best museums in Boston for kids

Boston Children’s Museum 

It’s no secret I’m a huge fan (and terribly envious) of the USA’s children’s museums. And the Boston Children’s Museum is one of the best Spread over three floors, it has all sorts of hands-on exhibits, from programming robots to experimenting with ball tracks and dressing up space dinosaurs! 

The New Balance Climb sculpture is the main event, a three-storey vertical maze that kids and adults can explore. And the Japanese House is an interesting addition where you can explore a silk merchant’s house from Kyoto – it was literally transported piece by piece from Japan to the museum!

For us, it was the number one fun thing to do in Boston with kids, and both Otis and Arlo had the time of their lives there. 

Museum of Science

Our oldest kid, Otis, wants to be a “mad scientist” when he’s older, so science museums are always a big hit. Boston’s Museum of Science is 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 also 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. And the AI exhibit was cool, including a robot dog with unnervingly lifelike movements. They also screen shows at the domed Mugar Omni Theater for IMAX movies and the Charles Hayden Planetarium (entry for these costs extra). It’s one of the best museums for kids in Boston.

The Museum of Science is one of the starting points for the duck tour, so it’s a good idea to do these on the same day. The Museum of Science Club is included in the Boston City Pass, so get one of those to save money on places like the zoo and history museum too.

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is one of Boston’s most popular tourist attractions, but I confess we didn’t do it. We were taking the path of least resistance with our 3 and 5-year-olds, so didn’t fancy dragging them around historic sights.

You might have more luck with older or slightly less unruly children! There are guided tours you can do, complete with guides in historic costumes, but probably an easier option with kids is to download a map and do it at your own pace. 

The 2.5-mile route takes you through Boston’s historic neighborhoods and tells the story of the American Revolution. It starts at Boston Common and ends near Faneuil Hall. Highlights along the way include the golden-domed Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution.

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium houses all sorts of marine creatures, from tiny sea dragons to fur seals, stingrays and sharks. It’s one of the most popular kids activities in Boston.

The centre piece that the rest of the aquarium was built around is an amazing, four-storey 200,000 gallon Giant Ocean Tank, home to a coral reef and all sorts of creatures, including sea turtles and rays.

Other highlights in the aquarium include an Amazon rainforest, a shark and ray touch tank, and Myrtle the turtle who has been there since 1970!

Buy your tickets here or get a Boston City Pass to save on other attractions too. 

Mapparium

Our visit to the Mapparium was a bit of a disaster as our 5-year-old was super excited about taking some photos in there, but when we arrived we found out it wasn’t allowed. To be honest, I was disappointed too as I’d have loved to capture it for the blog.

That said, the huge 3-storey stained glass globe is a pretty cool sight to see. You get to step inside, viewing it from a 30-foot bridge through the centre. And seeing as it’s inside out, it means the size of the countries is more accurately depicted, so you get a better sense of their scale. You can only see the mapparium by guided tour, which run around every 30 minutes. 

The mapparium is in the Christian Science Plaza, and while you wait for the tour, you can explore a museum about their works. To be honest, that part of it left me slightly baffled!

Harvard Museum of Natural History

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the place to go to marvel at dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and animal exhibits from around the world. There are even Komodo dragons (not real ones, of course!).

The museum is small but well set up for families, and there are activities you can download, which help kids of all ages to explore the museum in creative and fun ways. For example, there’s a sheet that prompts young explorers to identify different colours in the natural world and draw pictures of what they discover. 

It’s part of Harvard, so you could combine a trip there with a visit to the university grounds too. And it’s part of the Boston City Pass, so buy one of those if you plan to visit other attractions too.

Museum of Fine Arts

Perhaps not an obviously kid-friendly choice, the Museum of Fine Arts is surprisingly good for families and a great thing to do for kids in Boston. They have a dedicated guide for how to get the most out of the museum with kids, including suggested themes like ‘spot the crowns or animals’. There are also family labels on some exhibits.

USS Constitution

Boston is the home of the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest navel vessel that remains afloat (the HMS Victory is older but in a dry dock). You can go aboad the ship, take a guided tour and visit the museum to learn about its history. It’s free to visit, although donations are encouraged. It’s a popular family thing to do in Boston.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library is a gorgeous building both inside and out that has an impressive kids’ section. Plus there are fossils in the stairs that littluns can search for.  The kids section is in the neighbouring Boylston Street building, and hosts regular family events.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

I’m a bit gutted we didn’t get to go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as it looks gorgeous, filled with art and centered around a beautiful courtyard garden, inspired by Gardner’s time in Venice. She was an eccentric bohemian, which is reflected in the museum’s collection of thousands of historic objects and art, including sculptures, ceramics and textiles. 

Like the Museum of Fine Arts, they have guides for how families can get the most out of the museum. And on Saturdays they host drop-in art activities for over 7s. 

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum to learn about the American Revolution, and take part in a reenactment of the historic tea dumping. Explore the tea ship replicas, take on a character and adopt a disguise to bring it all to life.

A few more museums in Boston:

• Boston Fire Museum – a tiny museum with vintage fire engines and exhibits on the history of fire fighting
• MIT Museum – interactive exhibits showcasing cutting-edge tech including robotics and holography. 
• Museum of African American History – learn about Boston’s role in the abolitionist movement and all the people who fought for freedom.

Family-friendly tours in Boston

Duck Tour

People can get a bit sniffy about the duck tours – probably because there’s nothing that screams “I’m a tourist” more than sitting on one of these iconic hybrid bus-boats. But the thing is, it’s a great tour and a perfect introduction to Boston. Our guide was hilarious and gave us a great overview of the history and culture of the city. For us, it was an ideal first-day-in-Boston activity. And I’d recommend it as a top pick for what to do in Boston with kids.

The guided tour might be a bit much information for little kids, but they’ll hopefully be entertained by the novelty of being on a car that can drive into the river! On our tour, they also got the chance to drive the boat for a bit on the river (with the help of the driver, of course!).

The duck tour stars at the Prudential Centre or Museum of Science, doing a round trip from either one.

Hop-on-hop-off trolley tour

Join the Old Town hop-on-hop-off trolley tour to explore some of Boston’s main sights. It’s all fully narrated by the conductor and covers Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and the Waterfront. We didn’t do it, but we did a similar tour in Savannah, which was fun and the kids found it a novelty to be on the trolley. 

Scavenger Hunt

For a fun way to explore Boston Harbor with older kids, try this self-guided scavenger hunt that turns the harbor into a massive game board. Follow the clues and learn facts along the way while also exploring sites such as the Rose Kennedy Greenway Park and Freedom Trail sights. It’s downloadable and takes around 3 hours. If you have older kids, it’s a really fun thing to do in Boston with family.

Pizza tour

A nice incentive for kids to explore the city is this pizza tour, which includes three slices and a cannoli, including a pizza from one of the top ranked pizzerias in America, and Boston’s oldest brick oven dating back to 1883.

Along the way you’ll pass five Freedom Trail sites, getting a slice of history alongside your pizza discovery. It takes about 2.5 hours and covers about a mile around the North End of Boston. The specific pizza stops may vary depending on the day.

Donut tour

Perhaps an even bigger hit with kids could be this donut tour that stops at four donut shops in Little Italy, the Financial District and Boston’s Public Market. We particularly loved Union Donuts. As with the pizza tour, the guided tour also sneaks in some history.

Boston boat tour

There are plenty of boat tours you can do from Boston Harbour, including whale watching, a Codzilla speed boat, sunset cruise, sailing trip or sightseeing cruise. Have a look on Get Your Guide to see the latest availability. 

Outdoor Adventures and Parks

Explore Boston Common and the Frog Pond

Boston Common, alongside the neighbouring public garden, is the city’s version of Central Park (and actually the original, being the USA’s first public park!). It’s smaller in size, but packs in plenty of history and attractions. It’s the starting point for the Freedom Trail, and has been the site of military encampments and even a civil rights rally led by Martin Luther King!

In the summer, it’s a fun splash pool and come winter, it transforms into an outdoor skating rink. The nearby Tadpole Playground and the Frog Pond Carousel are also highlights. Our kids loved spending an afternoon at the Frog Pond with Steve while I snuck off to explore Beacon Hill.

It’s a perfect day out in Boston for families.

Boston Public Garden and the Swan Boats

On the other side of the common is the Boston Public Garden, the country’s first public botanical garden. It’s home to a lake where you can ride the swan boats, which have been going since 1877 and have been run by the same family for over 100 years! The ride is around 15 minutes and it’s one of the most popular things for kids to do in Boston.

The whole place is beautifully picturesque and both the Public Garden and Boston Common are perfectly located for a break between sightseeing.

Make Way for Ducklings statue

If you’ve ever read Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, you won’t want to miss the duckling sculpture, featuring characters from the beloved book. And if you haven’t read it before visiting Boston, I recommend you do as it’s a beautiful book and kids will love seeing it brought to life.

The sculpture is in the Boston Public Garden, close to the Beacon Hill area.

Arnold Arboretum

We stayed at a home exchange in Jamaica Plain right next to the Arnold Arboretum, a 265-acre park with over 7,000 types of tree. It was a lovely place for a bike ride with many well paved parks. Although you’ll need to be on foot to explore some of the paths.

Franklin Park Zoo

We had a fun day out at Franklin Park Zoo where the kids enjoyed the playgrounds as much as the animals. On the animal side of things, they have all sorts, from giraffes to gorillas and pygmy hippos. And the playground is an impressive 10,000-square foot with equipment for all ages.

They have regular special events, including an impressive lantern show, which we got to see while there. And it’s included in the City Pass so a good way to save money on a group of attractions.

The zoo is a little out of the centre, fairly close to Jamaica Plain where we were staying. There’s a free shuttle from Forest Hills station to the zoo in peak season. 

The surrounding Franklin Park also has some great playgrounds. 

Go whale watching 

From Boston Harbor, you can take whale watching tours in the Atlantic. Depending on the time of year, spot humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as dolphins, seabirds and otters.

Onboard experts will teach you about the magnificent creatures and conservation efforts in the area. There are various tours available, including this 3-hour catamaran cruise.

Charles River Esplanade

The Charles River Esplanade is a lovely place for a walk or bike ride. Stretching from the Museum of Science to Harvard Bridge, it’s a fun way for the adults to see the sights, including MIT and Cambridge across the river.

The kids will be entertained by the three playgrounds along the way. The Stoneman playground is particularly good for little ones and there’s a spray park near the museum. 

Boston Harbor Islands

We didn’t manage to visit the Boston Harbor Islands, but we heard great reviews and it’s a really popular day trip with locals. Made up of 34 islands, the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is a place to get away from the urban center and explore nature. You can catch a public ferry to the islands from May to October. They depart from Long Wharf next to Christopher Columbus Park. 

As with all national parks in the States, kids can earn a junior ranger badge by picking up a booklet at the visitor centre and completing all the activities. You can even camp there.

Blue Hills Reservation

For 125 miles of hiking trails and a cool view of the city skyline, head to Blue Hills Reservation just outside the city. The 7,000-acre reservation is a fun place to get out in nature without venturing far from the city. It even has a small ski resort in the wintertime. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown Boston.

A train and bus ride takes around 40 minutes, but is a bit of a wrangle. It’s one of those times when a car would be the best option. 

Other notable parks in Boston

Here are a few other excellent parks and playgrounds in Boston.

• Thomas Menino Park: A fully inclusive playground, including a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round and play structure with ramps. It’s close to the USS Constitution and Freedom Trail, so good to combine with a trip to one of those. 
• The Lawn on D: The Lawn on D in seaport has some cool circular swings, lit by LEDs, and plenty of lawn games like cornhole and bocce ball. 
• Martin’s Park: Another inclusive park, complete with a pirate ship, and close to the children’s museum.
• The Plaza Playscape: Close to Quincy Market, this centrally located playground is great for taking a break from visiting Boston’s attractions. Our kids especially loved the water play section, perfect for cooling down on a humid summer day. 
• Rose Kennedy Greenway Park: Another central park, the Rose Kennedy Greenway Park has fountains with a play zone, plus the historic Greenway Carousel.

Sports and Entertainment

See the Red Sox at Fenway Park

One of the highlights of our entire New England road trip was seeing the Red Sox v Mets at Fenway Park. It’s a quintessential American experience and Fenway park is one of the nation’s most beloved stadiums. There’s a fantastic family atmosphere and they even have a kids’ concourse where children can meet the mascots, have a go at batting, or do a VR homerun challenge. You’ll also find lots of kid-friendly food here, such as pizza, hot dogs and chips. 

Baseball games are long, but it’s pretty casual, so people tend to walk in and out, getting food and so forth. We didn’t stay for the whole game as it was a bit late for Arlo (it stated at 7pm), but if we’d have gone to an earlier game, we could have made a whole afternoon of it.

If there are no games on when you’re in Boston, Fenway Park would still be worth visiting. You can do guided tours of the stadium.

Sports Museum of New England

Learn about Boston’s sporting history at the Sports Museum of New England. There are interactive exhibits, including the chance to relive iconic moments in Boston sports history. This will be more interesting for older kids and those with some prior knowledge of sports in New England (we gave it a miss).

Kings Dining & Entertainment

Kings Dining & Entertainment is a popular spot with both tourists and locals alike. There are all sorts of games to enjoy, including bowling, retro arcade games, corn hole, air hockey, billiards and more.

They’re also known for serving top notch family favourites, including pizzas, wings and excellent milkshakes. There are five locations across the city, including one is Seaport.

Legoland Discovery Center

Boston’s Legoland Discovery Center is around a 15-minute drive from the city centre, but worth a visit if your kids are into LEGO.

It has all the hallmarks of LEGO discovery centers, including a miniature version of the city in Lego, 12 rides, 4D movies, and the chance to create your own Lego models. 

Puppet Showplace Theater

For something fun and creative to do in Boston with kids, visit the Puppet Showplace Theater in the Brookline neighbourhood of the city.  They have an ever-changing programme of shows and workshops where kids can discover the magic of puppetry.

Day Trips from Boston with Kids

If you have extra time to spare, venture beyond Boston for exciting day trips. Options include Salem to visit the Salem Witch Museum or Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard for some classic New England seaside vibes. Here’s a guided day trip you could do to Martha’s Vineyard from Boston.

Where to eat in Boston with kids

These were some of our favourite places to eat with kids in Boston…

Boston Public Market

This is a great one-stop shop for lots of Boston favourites, including Bon Me (a Vietnamese food truck turned restaurant) and Boston Public Donuts. The coffee at George Howell is also excellent. There are lots of options for kids, including fresh pasta and excellent ice cream.

Casa Verde

Casa Verde was one of our favorites in Jamaica Plain, serving excellent Mexican food, including a kids’ menu.

J.P. Licks

J.P. Licks is the place to go for ice cream in Boston. They have branches across the city. 

Mike’s Pastry

Mike’s Pastry is famous for its humongous cannolis in a rainbow of colours and flavours. To be honest, they were a bit much for me, but people (and especially kids) are wild for them!

When to visit Boston with kids 

We went to Boston in the summer, and while it was hot and humid, there were also plenty of places to cool down, especially in the splash parks. Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) are popular times due to milder temperatures and the colours of New England foliage.

Be sure to check the local events calendar as Boston hosts exciting festivals and celebrations throughout the year, such as the Boston Harborfest, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Boston Marathon.

Where to stay in Boston with kids

Boston has lots of different neighbourhoods that will help characterise your stay. For ultimate convenience, head to Back Bay or downtown where there are plenty of hotel options. Or for something more local, try North End, Seaport, Brookline, or even somewhere a bit further afield like Jamaica Plain.

We stayed in Seaport, which is a rapidly developing neighborhood on the waterfront with lots of restaurants, museums (including the amazing Children’s Museum) and green space. It’s also really convenient for the airport (about a 15-minute drive).

We also did a home exchange in Jamaica Plain, which was a great opportunity to experience local Boston life. It’s around 20 minutes from downtown on the train and home to the fabulous arboretum, which is a gorgeous place for a walk. We loved the restaurants there too. It isn’t a place with many hotels, but you could also do a home exchange or find an Airbnb or Vrbo.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport District

In Seaport, we stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. It was convenient for public transport with a bus stop less than 5 minutes from the door. And the views were great from the upper floors.

It’s in the less built-up area of Seaport so the museums are about a 20-minute walk away and there aren’t a huge amount of restaurants in walking distance. We did however like the brew pub across the street where we all enjoyed playing the lawn games.

My only big criticism (which could be easily remedied) is that the hotel serves breakfast with entirely single-use cutlery and plates. It feels like a colossal waste – do better Hilton! 

How to get around Boston with kids

Boston’s small size and excellent public transport system makes it easy to navigate, even with kids in tow. The transport system is made up of buses, commuter rail and the ‘T’ (the city’s subway service). 

This map shows the routes for the ‘T’ and commuter rail. We used both while there with ease. It was especially useful when staying in Jamaica Plain and traveling into the city centre. It felt clean and safe, especially in comparison to New York. We also used the bus system, which again was easy to navigate. 

Parking is fairly plentiful in garages around the city, but it’s expensive (starting around $12 for an hour), so I’d recommend using public transport instead. That said, it does get incrementally cheaper the longer you park for. To search for garages, we used Parkopedia.   

If you’re only there for a day or two and you’re staying somewhere central, you could simply do the hop-on-hop-off trolley to get around the major sites. 

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