Greater Boston
Things to do with kids in Greater Boston
Boston packs a remarkable amount of kid-sized adventure into a walkable city: swan boats and duckling statues in the Public Garden, harbor-side playgrounds, hands-on museums and story times in nearly every neighborhood. We keep track of what’s happening this week across the city and its closest neighbors, from Cambridge and Somerville to Brookline and Newton, so you can spend less time searching and more time playing.
Upcoming local events
Brick or Treat at LEGO Discovery Center
Through Sat, Oct 31 · Somerville · Special Event
Build a little Halloween fun into your visit to LEGO Discovery Center Boston. Seasonal activities include Halloween building challenges, glowing…
Pumpkin Patch of Play at Boston Children’s Museum
Through Sun, Nov 1 · Seaport, Boston · Special Event
Make a fall visit to the Museum a little more Halloween-y: try family-friendly pinball, listen to the talking jack-o’-lanterns, look for pumpkins on…
Cityside Pumpkin Patch — Boston Seaport
Through Sun, Nov 1 · Seaport, Boston · Special Event
Find a little fall fun in the Seaport at Cityside Pumpkin Patch, a seasonal takeover of Island Creek Raw Bar. Browse locally sourced pumpkins, snap a…
Toddler Time at Rock Spot — Boston-Dedham
Sat, Oct 24 · 8:00 AM · Hyde Park, Boston · Active Play
Toddlers can explore climbing-related activities during a 50-minute session at Rock Spot Climbing Boston-Dedham, with sections of the gym reserved…
Saturday Art Lab Drop-In at Essem Art Studio
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM · Charlestown · Arts & Crafts
Little artists ages 1.5–4 explore new art materials and processes with age-appropriate choices that build confidence and self-expression. About 25–30…
Halloween Spooktacular at Boston Children’s Museum
Sat, Oct 24 · 5:00 PM · Seaport, Boston · Special Event
The Museum opens after hours for a Halloween evening of exhibit exploring and trick-or-treating. Families can play Pumpkin Putt-Putt and other games…
Halloweek: Trick or Treat at The Street
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · Chestnut Hill · Special Event
Bring the costumes and make a daytime trick-or-treat loop around The Street. Local businesses will hand out treats, with a live DJ, family…
Truck-Or-Treat at Suffolk Downs
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · East Boston, Boston · Special Event
Put on a costume and bring your truck-loving kids to The Track at Suffolk Downs for a Halloween outing with big vehicles and little treats. Families…
Perfect Memory at ICA Boston
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM · Seaport, Boston · Arts & Crafts
Visit the ICA's Bank of America Art Lab for Perfect Memory, an installation by Boston artist crystal bi inspired by water, memory, imagination, and…
Expectant and New Dads Group
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM · Newton · Parenting & Wellness
A welcoming monthly gathering for expectant dads and dads with babies 0–12 months. Led by John Carr, LICSW, the group offers honest conversation…
Boston Landing Indoor Movie Night: Halloweentown
Sat, Oct 24 · 3:30 PM · Brighton, Boston · Special Event
Dress up and bring the family inside the TRACK at new balance for a Halloween afternoon followed by Halloweentown on the big screen. The pre-party…
Children's Magical Halloween Castle
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM · South Boston, Boston · Special Event
Explore the Children's Magical Halloween Castle inside Fort Independence at Castle Island in South Boston. The Castle Island Association's family…
Places to play
Action Athletics
Brighton · Indoor Playspace
Real-life Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses where kids can climb, swing, and zoom through challenges until they are happily worn out.
Albion Playground
Somerville · Playgrounds & Parks
A unique neighborhood park featuring a climbing structure and a stylized water spray zone.
Alden Playground
Cambridge · Playgrounds & Parks
A shaded neighborhood pocket park with simple, toddler-friendly ground sprays.
Alexander W. Kemp Playground
Cambridge · Playgrounds & Parks
A whimsical, nature-inspired playground featuring an interactive water-and-mud play stream.
Alexander W. Kemp Playground at Cambridge Common
Cambridge · Playgrounds & Parks
A redesigned playground that is a landscape of hills, valleys, sand, wooden branches and stumps, living plant material, and loose wooden blocks to…
Alfond Memorial Spray Deck
Boston · Playgrounds & Parks
Situated on the Charles River Esplanade with excellent city views and standard ground jets.
Allied Veterans Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool
Everett · Playgrounds & Parks
A large public complex featuring a dedicated, shallow concrete wading pool. Check the pool's website for current open hours before you go — pools can…
Allo Boston
Charlestown · Indoor Playspace
A beautifully designed indoor play space where tiny voyagers can climb, slide, and explore to their heart's content. Featuring wooden climbing…
Arnold Arboretum
Jamaica Plain, Boston · Playgrounds & Parks
A 265-acre park in Jamaica Plain with 7,000+ trees and beautiful trails perfect for biking or walking. One of Boston's best spots for a peaceful…
Artesani Playground Wading Pool and Spray Deck
Brighton, Boston · Playgrounds & Parks
A massive, fenced-in wading pool paired with an interactive spray area. Check the pool's website for current open hours before you go — pools can…
BCYF Blackstone (Temporarily Closed)
South End, Boston · Water Play
Heads up: this pool is currently closed. An indoor community pool at BCYF Blackstone in Boston — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF…
BCYF Charlestown
Charlestown, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Charlestown — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check the center's…
BCYF Clougherty Pool
Charlestown, Boston · Water Play
A freshly renovated outdoor community pool at BCYF Clougherty in Charlestown — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston…
BCYF Condon
South Boston, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Condon in South Boston — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check…
BCYF Curley Beach
South Boston, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Curley Beach in South Boston — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents)…
BCYF Curtis Hall
Jamaica Plain, Boston · Water Play
Heads up: open now, but scheduled to close for maintenance mid-summer 2026 — check before you go. An indoor community pool at BCYF Curtis Hall in…
BCYF Draper Pool
West Roxbury, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Draper in West Roxbury — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check…
BCYF Flaherty Pool
Roslindale, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Flaherty in Roslindale — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check…
BCYF Hennigan
Jamaica Plain, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Hennigan in Jamaica Plain — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check…
BCYF Holland (Temporarily Closed)
Dorchester, Boston · Water Play
Heads up: this pool is currently closed. An indoor community pool at BCYF Holland in Dorchester — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF…
BCYF Leahy-Holloran
Dorchester, Boston · Water Play
Heads up: open now, but scheduled to close for maintenance mid-summer 2026 — check before you go. An indoor community pool at BCYF Leahy-Holloran in…
BCYF Marshall
Dorchester, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Marshall in Dorchester — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check…
BCYF Mason Pool
Roxbury, Boston · Water Play
An indoor community pool at BCYF Mason in Roxbury — free swim for the whole family with a BCYF membership (free for Boston residents). Check the…
BCYF Mattahunt (Opens Mid-Summer)
Mattapan, Boston · Water Play
Heads up: currently closed for maintenance, reopening mid-summer 2026. An indoor community pool at BCYF Mattahunt in Mattapan — free swim for the…
Kid-friendly places to eat
Abigail's Tea Room & Terrace
Seaport, Boston · American | Tea Room | Coffee
Charming tea room offering afternoon tea service with kid-friendly options. A delightful way to introduce little ones to a special treat in a…
Aeronaut Brewing Company
Somerville · Brewery
A science-forward Somerville brewery with a busy calendar of live music and trivia, in-house food vendors, and a bring-your-own-food policy that…
American Flatbread - Brighton
Brighton · Pizza | American
Candlepin bowling meets family fun! Enjoy kid-friendly lanes, delicious wood-fired pizza from American Flatbread, and plenty of space for little ones…
American Flatbread at Sacco's Bowl Haven
Somerville · Pizza | Gluten-Free Friendly
This Davis Square gem pairs American Flatbread's wood-fired, organic-ingredient pizzas with candlepin bowling under one roof — the ultimate family…
Arlington Brewing Beer Garden
Arlington · Brewery
Every Saturday from mid-May through September, the lawn of the historic Jason Russell House becomes Arlington's community beer garden — live music…
Banners Kitchen & Tap
West End, Boston · American
Located at the Hub on Causeway near TD Garden, this sports-themed restaurant is a slam dunk for families. With TVs everywhere, arcade games, and a…
Bardo's Bar Pizza
South Boston, Boston · Pizza
A beloved South Boston pizza spot serving up crispy, flavorful bar-style pizza that's perfect for the whole family. Located inside Castle Island…
bartaco Seaport
Seaport, Boston · Mexican
bartaco's Seaport outpost brings the same beachy, upscale street-taco vibes to Fort Point — tacos, rice bowls, and fresh guac with a customizable…
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
Beacon Hill, Boston · American
Whimsical storybook-style café inside a historic bookstore; has a charming kids' reading nook and child-sized pastries at the cafe.
Ben & Jerry's - Arsenal Yards
Watertown · Ice Cream
Ben & Jerry's at Arsenal Yards — grab a Phish Food cone after the splash pad or a movie. Classic and non-dairy flavors in Watertown's easiest family…
Ben & Jerry's - Harvard Square
Cambridge · Ice Cream
The Harvard Square Ben & Jerry's scoops the famous flavor roster right on JFK Street — an easy win after the science museum-bookstore-street…
Ben & Jerry's - Newbury Street
Back Bay, Boston · Ice Cream
The Vermont classic's Back Bay scoop shop — Cherry Garcia, Tonight Dough, and every wacky flavor kids know from the freezer aisle, fresh-scooped…
Family-friendly places to stay
Boston Harbor Hotel
Rowes Wharf, Boston · Hotel
A waterfront luxury stay designed for families—indoor pool, "Kidventure" scavenger hunt, cupcake activity, and easy access to the aquarium and…
Boston Marriott Long Wharf
North End, Boston · Hotel
Waterfront hotel with an indoor pool for splashy fun—steps from the aquarium, harborwalk, playgrounds, and kid-loved attractions.
Bricco Suites
North End, Boston · Hotel
Suite-style stays with room to spread out—right in the North End for easy walks to treats, playgrounds, and waterfront adventures.
Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown
North End, Boston · Hotel
A stylish downtown stay that keeps families connected—free bike rentals for little riders, connecting rooms for siblings, and a location steps from…
Copley House
Back Bay, Boston · Boutique
A cozy brownstone stay with pack-and-play options and a calm, residential feel—perfect for families wanting a relaxed Back Bay base.
Fairmont Copley Plaza
Copley Square, Boston · Hotel
An iconic hotel that quietly excels at family fun. Meet the Canine Ambassador, enjoy in-hotel scavenger hunts, and kids under 5 eat free.
Four Seasons Hotel Boston
Back Bay, Boston · Hotel
Luxury and kid-friendliness combined: children's welcome amenities, in-room toys, kids' robes, and one of the city's best indoor pools.
Hotel Commonwealth
Kenmore Square, Boston · Hotel
Next to Fenway Park, this stylish hotel's "Family Fenway Excursion" offers game tickets, treat baskets, and space for families to spread out.
InterContinental Boston
Waterfront, Boston · Hotel
This waterfront luxury hotel rolls out the red carpet for tiny travelers! The Kids Club program includes adventure kits with coloring books, a…
Kimpton Marlowe Hotel
Cambridge · Hotel
A playful Cambridge escape — bikes, games, and kid-friendly suites just minutes from the Museum of Science.
Omni Parker House
Downtown, Boston · Hotel
Right on the Freedom Trail, this historic downtown hotel offers a cozy "Omni Kids" experience with welcome packs, coloring books, and family suites…
Royal Sonesta Boston
Cambridge · Hotel
A fun-forward family stay with one of the best kid packages around. Indoor pool, milk & cookies at check-in, and kids eat breakfast free every…