Museum
Boston Children’s Museum
Organized by Boston Children’s Museum
Seaport
Ages: All ages
A favorite among locals and tourists alike, the children’s museum offers hands-on fun for all ages (there is even special play space for…
Anytime
Children’s Museums & Hands-On Fun Around Boston
For the kids who ask “why?” before breakfast. Explore children’s museums, history stops and hands-on science events around Boston.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 · 191 listings
All children’s museums & hands-on fun
Museum
Boston Fire Museum
Organized by Boston Fire Museum
Seaport
Ages: All ages
This gem of a museum is not only free to visit, but features vintage fire-fighting vehicles, dress-up, and is easy to spot in an old fire…
Museum
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Organized by Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Seaport
Ages: All ages
Hop on board a full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessel, take part in re-enacting the tea-dumping event, and enjoy the tearoom for…
Indoor Play
Charlestown Music & Art Playspace
Organized by Charlestown Music & Art Playspace
Charlestown
Ages: 0-1, 1-3, 3-5
Charlestown's newest spot for little ones to run, jump, and discover! This bright, welcoming playspace is packed with hands-on fun—from a…
Free · Festive Fun
Creepy Crawly Creations: Mini Festival
Organized by Mass Audubon Magazine Beach
Sat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cambridgeport
Ages: 0–1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–12, 13+
Drop by before trick-or-treating to search for creepy-crawly animals, explore the park, make Halloween crafts, help create a bat-inspired…
$ · STEM Learning
Fossil Day at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
Organized by Harvard Museum of Natural History
Sat, Nov 21 · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cambridge
Ages: All ages
Meet Harvard paleontologists, see fossils from university collections, and ask about their research at table presentations and short talks…
Museum
Franklin Park Zoo
Organized by Franklin Park Zoo
Roxbury
Ages: All ages
Boston's beloved zoo featuring exotic animals, nature play areas, and educational programs. Kids connect with wildlife from around the…
Museum
Freedom Trail
Organized by Freedom Trail
Downtown
Ages: All ages
The 2.5-mile historic walking route through Boston's key Revolution-era sites—best for older children who can walk more. A living history…
Museum
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Organized by Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Square
Ages: All ages
World-class natural history museum with dinosaur fossils, the famous glass flowers, and hands-on discovery stations. Kids are fascinated by…
Museum
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
Organized by Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
Seaport
Ages: All ages
The ICA is full of cool art — kids 18 and under always go free, and the museum hosts monthly playdates with art-making, films, and more.
Museum
Mapparium
Organized by Mapparium
Back Bay
Ages: All ages
A stunning 30-foot stained glass globe you walk through while viewing the world from inside. Kids are amazed by this unique…
Museum
Museum of Fine Arts
Organized by Museum of Fine Arts
Fenway
Ages: All ages
Surprisingly good for families: there's a dedicated kids’ guide and themed trails to engage younger visitors in the galleries. (Bridges &…
Museum
Museum of Ice Cream
Organized by Museum of Ice Cream
Seaport
Ages: 0-2, 3-5, 6-12, 13+
Tiny adventurers can indulge in a delightful, multi-sensory experience at the Museum of Ice Cream. Families can dive into the famous…
Museum
Museum of Science
Organized by Museum of Science
West End
Ages: All ages
Plan a family outing at Boston’s Museum of Science, with time to explore science together and choose programs that suit your children’s…
Museum
New England Aquarium
Organized by New England Aquarium
North End Waterfront
Ages: All ages
Home to a four-storey 200,000-gallon ocean tank, coral reef, shark & ray touch tank, and sea turtles – a top family activity.
Museum
Puppet Showplace Theater
Organized by Puppet Showplace Theater
Brookline Village
Ages: All ages
In Brookline: fun puppet shows and workshops for younger kids featuring weird and wonderful creative performances. A unique theater…
$ · STEM Learning
Science Spotlights: Walking Fish and Photosynthesizing Sea Slugs
Organized by Harvard Museum of Natural History
Sat, Nov 7 · 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Cambridge
Ages: 5–12, 13+
Explore surprising animal adaptations with Harvard researcher Aleezah Madraswalla: sea robins that walk along the seafloor and sea slugs…
Indoor Play
Sloomoo MiniMoo Boston
Organized by Sloomoo MiniMoo Boston
Downtown
Ages: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
The world's most satisfying slime experience has arrived in Boston! Tiny voyagers can design their dream slime at the DIY Bar with over 4…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Keychain making with…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Nov 10 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Squishy making. The series…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Nov 17 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Resin art. The series…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Nov 24 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Slime. The series rotates…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Dec 1 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Keychain making with wood…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Dec 8 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Resin art. The series…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Dec 15 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Slime. The series rotates…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Dec 22 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Squishy making. The series…
$ · STEM Learning
STEMday Tuesdays
Organized by Modern Party Art
Tue, Dec 29 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dorchester
Kids explore science through hands-on creative projects, with dinner included. This date’s published activity is Resin art. The series…
Museum
USS Constitution
Organized by USS Constitution
Charlestown
Ages: All ages
"Old Ironsides" is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Kids can explore the historic vessel, learn about naval history…
Museum
WNDR Museum
Organized by WNDR Museum
Downtown Crossing
Ages: 3-5, 5-12, 13+
More than a museum—WNDR is a playful journey through 20 awe-inspiring immersive art installations that awakens creativity and leaves…
$ · STEM Learning
Beavers at Dusk: Wetland Wonders on the Rockery Trail
Organized by Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sat, Nov 7 · 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Topsfield
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
Walk toward the wetlands as daylight fades and search for beaver signs along the Rockery Trail. Animal sightings are never guaranteed. Meet…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Nov 2 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Nov 6 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Nov 9 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Nov 13 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Nov 16 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Nov 20 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Nov 23 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Nov 27 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Nov 30 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Dec 4 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Dec 7 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Dec 11 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Dec 14 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Dec 18 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Dec 21 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Fri, Dec 25 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Free · STEM Learning
Busy Bees
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Mon, Dec 28 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Beverly
Ages: All ages
A mixed-age group where children learn and play together through arts and crafts, science experiments, outdoor adventures, and…
Museum
Castle Hill on Crane Estate
Organized by Castle Hill on Crane Estate
Ipswich
Ages: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Families can explore the stunning grounds of Castle Hill on Crane Estate, featuring a magnificent mansion and beautifully manicured gardens…
Museum
Custom House Maritime Museum
Organized by Custom House Maritime Museum
Newburyport
Ages: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Families can explore the charming Custom House Maritime Museum on the Newburyport waterfront. Kids can admire model ships and shipwreck…
Museum
Endicott Park Nature Center
Organized by Endicott Park Nature Center
Danvers
Ages: All ages
Bring Massachusetts wildlife indoors at this family-friendly nature center with hands-on exhibits, native fish, amphibians and reptiles, an…
$ · STEM Learning
Family Owl Prowl
Organized by Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Topsfield
Ages: 5–12, 13+
Explore owl feathers, skulls and talons in the barn, head outdoors at dusk to listen for owls, then investigate an owl pellet. Owls in the…
$ · STEM Learning
Family Owl Prowl
Organized by Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sat, Dec 12 · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Topsfield
Ages: 5–12, 13+
Explore owl feathers, skulls and talons in the barn, head outdoors at dusk to listen for owls, then investigate an owl pellet. Owls in the…
Museum
Hammond Castle Museum
Organized by Hammond Castle Museum
Gloucester
Ages: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Tiny voyagers can explore a magnificent castle perched on a rocky cliff with stunning ocean views, built in the 1920s. Kids can engage…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Nov 11 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Nov 18 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Nov 25 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Dec 2 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Dec 9 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Free · STEM Learning
Kindergarten Readiness
Organized by CFCE of the North Shore
Wed, Dec 16 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Danvers
Ages: 3–5, 5–12
A parent-and-child group for ages 3 and up that builds confidence and early kindergarten skills through hands-on literacy, math…
Frequently asked questions
Which Boston museums have free days for kids?
The ICA is always free for visitors 18 and under, and everyone gets in free on Thursdays from 5–9 PM. In Cambridge, the Harvard Museum of Natural History offers free admission to Massachusetts residents on Sundays from 9 AM–noon and Wednesdays from 3–5 PM, with proof of residency. Check each museum’s current ticket requirements before heading out.
Is everything in this collection a children’s museum?
No. You’ll also find history museums and STEM events. Check each listing’s ages and description to find a good fit for your child.
Do we need to book ahead?
Some museum visits and science events require advance tickets or registration. Check the individual listing and the organizer’s booking page before you go.
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