Look no further for the best fun things to do in Boston with kids. This famous New England city might be best known for its sports, history, and colleges, but this charming big city is actually filled with sprawling playgrounds, green parks, and attractions for kids and adults. This list includes the perfect activities for a weekend trip to Boston with your family.
If you travel with kids, also read my Top Things to Do in Savannah with Kids, Top Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids, and Top Things to Do in Key West with Kids.
Top Things to Do in Boston with Kids
Wondering what the top things to do with kids in Boston are? With its history, colleges, and sports, this major United States city might seem like an adult grown-up destination, but you might be surprised by how many fun, engaging kids' activities it offers. Boston is home to a bustling 670,000 residents and was founded in 1630, but it also has a surprisingly large number of green spaces, walkable streets, and a compact layout that makes it perfect for exploring with a family. Plus, it oozes history, making it a great place for kids to learn and play. The charming and unique neighborhoods are perfect to explore. Plus, if you are on a budget, there are lots of free things for families to do, including exploring historic Boston. We generally don't love big cities, but Boston won us over with its charming culture, coastal charm, and green spaces.
We visited downtown Boston for a weekend tacked on to the cruise we took to Maine and Canada, and this city was easily one of the highlights of that trip for us. The city feels spacious, welcoming, and perfect for exploring with your family. Here are some of the top things to do in Boston with kids, the perfect place to start planning your trip to Boston. This list cuts through the hundreds of activities and best museums and features the top 12 you can fit into your weekend family adventure. Start planning your family adventure here!
12 Top Things to Do in Boston with Kids
Fenway Park
Going to Fenway Park to see a Red Sox game is one of the best things you can do with kids in Boston. We love baseball, but even if you don't, you will never forget this experience. This is a perfect family experience, and you will want to book ahead of time. This is one of our favorite things we have ever done as a family.
The game had lots of kid-friendly activities, including throwing challenges, batting, and places to meet the mascots. We even got to see the Green Monster.
If your kids are younger, you can easily get out, walk around, and explore too. Even if there are no games when you are visiting, it's worth it to do a guided tour of Fenway just to see it. In the fall on a Sunday, you can also go to a New England Patriots Game.
Duck Tour Boat
Another top thing to do in Boston with kids is to take them on a Duck Tour. This traditional Boston activity introduces you to the city's history by car, then the car turns into a duck boat and takes you on a ride and tour of the Charles River. Going from a car to a boat with a big splash was super fun.
This is one of the more touristy things to do in town, but we still loved it. I loved that the kids were entertained, but still got a little history lesson. So yes, it screams that you are a tourist, but I think it's worth doing once, especially with kids.
Depending on your driver, sometimes they will even let the kids "drive" the boat for a bit and get a photo. Cheesy, yes, but still really fun and a great way to see a big chunk of the city if you are short on time.
Freedom Trial
Walking the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is a must for any visit to Boston, even with kids. It's a red-brick pedestrian path connecting 17 historic sites linked to the American Revolution. The trail starts at Boston Common and takes you through some of the most important parts of U.S. history, including the Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument, where the events that led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773 took place, and where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Boston citizens. The route is easy to follow, marked by red bricks in a line, and the sites are marked with a gold emblem. If you are exploring on your own, download the map beforehand.
You can walk it on your own or with older kids, or take a guided walking tour to learn about this history. We did it on our own, and my kids got a history lesson, and we all enjoyed exploring the old buildings.
Boston Children's Museum
The Boston Children's Museum has three floors of hands-on play and interactive exhibits to keep young kids busy for hours. Located in the Fort Point Channel, this spot has great views of the waterway, fun snacks, and endless activities for little kids. The hands-on museum exhibits include imaginary play and crafts.
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is a fun attraction on Central Wharf, with a four-story Giant Ocean Tank, sea turtles, a Shark and Ray Touch Tank, and a Marine Animal Center with sealines. You can see 8,000 of marine animals up close, and it's a great way to escape the weather on a really hot or cold day. It's one of the best places to visit in Boston.
My family's favorite parts were the stingray touch tanks and the penguins. There are rockhoppers, famous for their punk rock hairdo, and African penguins.
My son could have spent the whole day doing this!
There are also extra meet-and-greet animal encounters you can sign up for, plus whale-watching cruises, in season.
Our whole family loved this, and it was great for kids of all ages.
Boston Museum of Science
The Boston Museum of Science is another top thing to do in Boston with kids. This museum has great stuff for even older kids and adults. Don't miss the musical Soundstair, which is a fun place for kids to burn off energy. This is a great place for hands-on activities.
Walk Along Boston Harborwalk
The Boston Harborwalk is a perfect place for families to stroll and explore the waterfront. This is another top thing to do in Boston with kids because you can see so many cool things, including sailboats, luxury yachts, ferries, and airplanes taking off at Logan Airport. You can take in views of the Boston Skyline.
Boston Common & Boston Public Garden
Visiting Boston Common and Public Garden is another top thing to do in Boston with kids. It's the oldest public park in the US and is the perfect place for kids to play and explore. This 50-acre park located in the middle of Boston is a must-visit. There are even Swan Boat rides in summer and ice skating in winter, where you can enjoy a peaceful 15-minute paddleboat cruise.
This beautiful spot gives kids and adults the perfect escape from city life. Right off Boston Common is the historic, picture-worthy Beacon Hill, with beautiful red brick buildings.
Explore Playgrounds & The Rose Kennedy Greenway
Visiting playgrounds was another top thing to do in Boston with kids. The city has a surprising number of playgrounds mixed into the historical attractions, making it a great way for kids to burn off some energy.
One of our favorites was Martin's Park and Playground, just outside Boston's Children's Museum.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway has lots of public play spots, art, and green pockets. Many parks also have splash pads, and the Greenway across from Quincy Market has a carousel.
Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo is a 72-acre zoo nestled right into historic Franklin Park. There are 50 species of animals, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. There is even a Children's Zoo. Some of the most famous residents are the African lion and the Masai giraffe.
The zoo is also home to an expansive 10,000-square-foot playground that kids of all ages love. Kids love it almost as much as the zoo itself.
Whale Watching
From Boston Harbor, you can easily take whale-watching tours of the Atlantic. Depending on the time of year, you can see humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and otters. This is a great way to get away from the city and enjoy some sights.
Eat Iconic Boston Food
Boston is oozing with great food, and even kids can get in on the fun. From fresh seafood to classic Italian food in Little Italy on the North End, exploring the food scene with your kids was one of our favorite parts of the trip! Cannoli's are a must-try when visiting. Don't forget to stop by Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry for a famous cannoli.
Our seafood-loving kids got a big kick out of the loud Barking Crab.
And no trip to Boston is complete without a trip to Legan Seafood, and we all loved the lobster roll.
There are also lots of kid-friendly dining spaces with areas for kids to play while you eat and listen to live music.
Top Things to Do in Boston with Kids
Boston has lots of top things to do with Kids. If you are short on time, our favorites are the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, the Duck Tour, and a visit to the New England Aquarium. They also have the cutest collection of stuffed animals in the shop. 🙂
I hope you get to visit Boston, with kids or not, and explore this beautiful, charming city! With a direct Allegiant Air flight from Asheville, it's the perfect weekend trip for families. Here are a few more fun places to add to your list.
More Things to Do in Boston with Kids
- Boston Tea Party Ships: A great place for kids to learn about the history of the Boston Tea Party and explore an actual ship. Guides in costume help bring the stories to life.
- Boston Public Library: A gorgeous building with an impressive kids' library, perfect for kids to explore.
- Harvard University: If you're curious about higher education, a trip to Harvard University and Cambridge is a must for any visitor.
- Museum of Ice Cream: A fun, interactive museum with all-you-can-eat ice cream.
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