Things to Do with Kids in Boston

Three floors of hands-on stuff for ages 0-10. Japanese House, construction zone, Art Studio, water play. Under 12 months free. Closed Tuesdays.

Four-story Giant Ocean Tank with sea turtles, sharks, and rays. Penguins, touch tanks, and whale watch cruises (seasonal, extra). Under 2 free. First and second Sundays of each month are discounted Boston Family Days.

700+ interactive exhibits, planetarium, Omni theater, live animals, and a Discovery Center for under-8s. Under 3 free. No timed-entry anymore, just pick a date when you buy.

Oldest public park in America. Frog Pond spray pool is free for kids 12 and under in summer (late June on). Ice skating in winter. Tadpole Playground has frog-themed climbing structures. Seasonal carousel.

72-acre zoo with gorillas, lions, giraffes, and a seasonal butterfly exhibit. Kids can pet farm animals at Franklin Farm. Dynamic pricing, so book online for the best deal. Under 2 always free.

Museum for Old Ironsides, the oldest warship still afloat. Kids try on sailor uniforms, load a cannon, scrub the deck. Pay-what-you-wish. The actual ship next door is free to board.

Copley Square library with an entire Children's Library on the second floor. Free storytimes, crafts, STEM activities. ToddleTown (ages 3-5), StoryScape dress-up, a sensory wall for sensory needs, and therapy dog programs. All free.

Rides, 4D cinema, building workshops, and a MINILAND Boston made from millions of bricks. Ages 3-10. Book online, it's way cheaper than walk-up. Orange Line to Assembly Row.

Carousel on the Greenway where kids ride a lobster, whale, harbor seal, owl, or butterfly instead of horses. 14 characters total, all Boston-themed. $4 a ride. Between the North End and Seaport, surrounded by fountains.

Ferry from Long Wharf to Georges Island (explore a Civil War fort) and Spectacle Island (beaches and trails). Junior Ranger programs all summer. Ferries May-October. Under 3 ride free.

WWII-style amphibious vehicles drive past landmarks on land, then splash into the Charles River. Departs from Museum of Science, Prudential, and Aquarium every 30 minutes. Rain or shine. April through late November.

Nature museum at the base of Blue Hills with live owls, snakes, and turtles, plus easy trails for little hikers. Outdoor exhibits open daily. 10 miles south of downtown. Good half-day trip when you need actual nature.

You walk across a glass bridge inside a three-story stained-glass globe from 1935. 608 colored glass panels. Whisper at one end, hear it clearly at the other. The map shows 1935 borders so kids can spot what changed. No photos inside. Takes 20 minutes. Adjacent church tour is free.

One of the last dedicated puppet theaters in the country. Professional shows for kids on weekends at 10:30am and 1pm, plus holiday Mondays. Small venue, shows sell out, book ahead. Summer shows are free or pay-what-you-can. WIC/EBT/MassHealth: $3.

22-acre park with an 1834 granite fort, beaches, trails, a playground, and Pleasure Bay (calm water, good for toddlers). Everything free: parking, entry, beach, fort tours (Sat-Sun noon-3:30pm). Sullivan's has hot dogs and lobster rolls (cash only). The fort inspired Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado.'

Free volunteer-run museum in an 1891 firehouse. Antique fire engines, old uniforms, helmets, hose reels. 30-minute visit, just right for fire-truck-obsessed toddlers. Saturdays only. Donations appreciated.

Free outdoor space in the Seaport. The LED swings that glow and change color after dark are why kids love it. Lawn games (cornhole, bocce, ping pong), free movie nights, food trucks, bar for parents, two pickleball courts.

4,300 handmade glass flowers from the 1890s that look completely real. Also dinosaur skeletons, minerals, meteorites, taxidermy. Ticket includes the Peabody Museum. MA residents: free Sundays 9am-noon and Wednesdays 3-5pm. $20 adults, $15 youth, under 3 free. EBT/WIC free.

Recently renovated playground on the Charles River with a pirate ship, slides, swings, musical play area, and spray deck (late June-Labor Day). Free. The Esplanade paths around it are good for stroller walks. Hatch Shell is nearby for a full morning.

Smaller than Franklin Park, which is the point. Snow leopards, black bears, flamingos, barnyard petting area. You can see everything in 90 minutes. Good for toddlers who tire fast. Book online for the best price. Under 2 free. 10 miles north.

Playground and free wading pool on the Charles River in Brighton. Pool is ankle-to-knee deep with lifeguards in summer. Climbing structures, swings, free parking, picnic tables, concession stand. Less crowded than the Esplanade playgrounds.

Professional theater with kids productions on select weekends. Recent shows: Charlotte's Web, The Little Mermaid. 170 seats, so every seat is close. Kids' tickets $20-25. 10 miles north of Boston.

Free outdoor concerts all summer on the Charles River. GroundBeat series and Landmarks Orchestra (Wednesdays). Bring a blanket, let the kids run around, food vendors nearby. No tickets. The July 4th Pops is ticketed, but the regular summer shows are free and often better.

Outdoor ice skating on the Common with the State House behind you. Mid-November through mid-March. Free for kids under 58 inches, adults $6. Skate rentals $14/$8. Hot chocolate at the cafe. Friday nights have DJ skating.

1.5-mile park through downtown with seven fountain rings kids can splash through in summer (free), public art, a carousel ($4/ride), food trucks, and seasonal movie nights. Playground near the Rings Fountain. Connects the North End, Seaport, and Financial District.