MetroWest
Things to do with kids in MetroWest
Just west of the city, MetroWest is full of roomy indoor playspaces, farm stands, conservation trails and town libraries with busy story-time calendars. From Lexington and Concord’s history to Natick and Framingham’s big rainy-day options, it’s an easy drive for a full family day.
Upcoming local events
National Chemistry Week: Chemistry Under Construction!
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM · Acton · STEM Learning
Celebrate National Chemistry Week with guest educators from the local American Chemical Society chapter and hands-on activities inspired by the theme…
Wilson Farm Pumpkin Village
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · Lexington · Special Event
Make a fall photo stop among the pumpkin houses at Wilson Farm’s Pumpkin Village. The farm also advertises a “haunted” Wild West area, which…
Cow Safari
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM · Framingham · Special Event
Climb aboard Eastleigh Farm’s covered wagon for a ride through the 100-acre former dairy farm and animal sanctuary to visit its cow family. Tickets…
Children’s Storytime with Mary E. Cronin
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · Natick · Stories & Songs
Have a little firefighter fan at home? Author Mary E. Cronin visits Ten Trees Books to read from Trucks, Boots, and Bells: Firehouse Poems. This…
Contortion (7-17) — Beginner
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM · Natick · Active Play
A beginner class in the art of flexibility, balances, poses, and handstands. Students work progressively on backbends, splits, shoulder and hip…
Kids Tumbling (7-17) — Beginner
Sat, Oct 24 · 4:00 PM · Natick · Active Play
A beginner tumbling class focused on clean technique, momentum, and consistent practice. Progressive drills help students work toward handsprings…
Lil’ Witching Hours: Chenille Stem Ghost or Spider
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · Framingham · Arts & Crafts
Drop into Michaels for a free kids event and use chenille stems to make a plush spider or ghost. Designed for ages 4 and older. This session takes…
Halloween Craft Event at Pottery Barn Kids
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · Natick · Arts & Crafts
Make some Halloween-themed crafts with your little one at the Natick Mall Pottery Barn Kids. This is a free, space-limited event; use the…
Circus Tots (2-4) — Open Level
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM · Natick · Active Play
Young movers and their caregivers build coordination and confidence through playful, structured movement. Classes use walking, climbing, sliding…
Circus Tots (4-6) — Open Level
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:55 AM · Natick · Active Play
A high-energy, beginner-friendly class where young students build coordination, confidence, and motor skills while exploring circus apparatus…
Memorial School Boo Bash + Trunk or Treat
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM · Natick · Special Event
Save the date for Memorial School’s Boo Bash + Trunk or Treat in Natick on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 2–4 PM. Bloom & Grow Creative is sharing…
Nature Process Art
Sun, Oct 25 · 10:00 AM · Acton · Arts & Crafts
Gather natural objects in Discovery Woods, add them to a collaborative art project, and reflect on how time outdoors feels. This program may change…
Places to play
Action Athletics
Wellesley · Indoor Playspace
Real-life Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses where kids can climb, swing, and zoom through challenges until they are happily worn out.
Beaver Brook Spray Deck
Belmont · Playgrounds & Parks
A popular state-run facility with diverse water jets, shaded picnic areas, and walking trails.
Belkin Family Lookout Farm
South Natick · Farm Fun
One of the country’s oldest continuously operating farms, Lookout combines a working orchard with a polished family outing. Seasonal pick-your-own…
Blue Bunny Books & Toys
Dedham · Toys & Shops
A magical children's bookshop in Dedham Square, founded by author-illustrator Peter H. Reynolds (of The Dot fame). Blue Bunny is brimming with…
Bobby Connors Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A neighborhood spray park in Waltham with playground structures alongside the water jets.
Chesterbrook Housing
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A community splash spot in the Chesterbrook neighborhood of Waltham.
Discovery Museum
Acton · Museums & History
Hands-on STEAM exhibits, water play, and light and sound experiments, plus an epic outdoor treehouse for curious kids.
Drake Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A local Waltham playground with a summer spray area for quick cool-downs.
Eastleigh Farm
Framingham · Farm Fun
Explore a picturesque 100-acre former dairy farm and animal sanctuary in Framingham. Families can meet cows, goats, and peacocks, see historic barns…
Emerson Playground
Concord · Playgrounds & Parks
A popular town park featuring a modern, multi-jet summer splash pad.
Fitch Spray Park
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A dedicated Waltham spray park with multiple water features for splashing.
Graverson Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A quiet Waltham neighborhood playground with summer water sprays.
Hanson’s Farm
Framingham · Farm Fun
A working Framingham family farm with an old-school, low-key atmosphere. Families visit for seasonal produce and pumpkins, and fall may bring a corn…
Henry Bear's Park
Dedham · Toys & Shops
A beloved local toy store packed with quality toys, games, books, and crafts for babies through big kids. The Dedham shop regularly hosts free story…
Henry Bear's Park
Wellesley · Toys & Shops
A beloved local toy store packed with quality toys, games, books, and crafts for babies through big kids. The Wellesley shop regularly hosts free…
Jam Time
Natick · Indoor Playspace
Soft play structures, slides, ride ons, and pretend play for littles, plus sensory friendly sessions for a gentler experience. Birthday parties…
Launch Trampoline Park
Framingham · Indoor Playspace
High energy trampoline parks where you can mix and match jumping, ninja courses, laser tag, arcades, and Krave pizza.
Lazazzero Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A Waltham community playground with a splash zone and open green space.
Learning Express Toys & Gifts
Acton · Toys & Shops
A go-to neighborhood toy store stocked with the latest trends plus classic toys, games, and books for babies through tweens. The Acton shop offers…
Learning Express Toys & Gifts
Natick · Toys & Shops
A go-to neighborhood toy store stocked with the latest trends plus classic toys, games, and books for babies through tweens. The Natick shop offers…
McDonald Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A compact Waltham playground with push-button water sprays.
Msgr. McCabe/Warrendale Playground
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A Warrendale neighborhood playground with a summer spray area.
Nipper Mahar Park
Waltham · Playgrounds & Parks
A Waltham park with ballfields and a summer splash area for kids.
Ten Trees Books
Natick · Books & Hidden Nooks
An inviting indie bookstore in downtown Natick with regular children's storytimes, often featuring award-winning local authors. A sweet stop for…
Kid-friendly places to eat
Agostino's
Natick · Italian
Old school Italian spot with classic dishes the whole family will enjoy.
Ben & Jerry's - Natick
Natick · Ice Cream
The Natick Ben & Jerry's keeps mall marathons sweet — every legendary chunk-filled flavor, kid-size scoops, and non-dairy options for allergy-aware…
Burton's Grill & Bar - Framingham
Framingham · American | Gluten-Free Friendly
On Route 9 at the Natick border, Burton's Framingham is a dependable GF family dinner spot — dedicated gluten-free menu, careful kitchen handling…
Buttercup
Natick · American
Family-friendly restaurant with changing tables and high chairs available.
Craft Food Halls - Waltham
Waltham · American | Pizza | Burgers
A lively food hall at CityPoint where everyone in the family gets exactly what they're craving — from tacos and burgers to poke bowls and wood-fired…
J.P. Licks - Legacy Place
Dedham · Ice Cream
The Legacy Place J.P. Licks is the built-in finale to a Dedham movie-and-shopping family outing — homemade scoops, soft serve, and dairy-free picks.
J.P. Licks - Wellesley Square
Wellesley · Ice Cream
The Wellesley Square J.P. Licks keeps town-center afternoons sweet with homemade ice cream, kid-size cones, and intensely flavorful frozen yogurt.
Jack's Abby Craft Lagers
Framingham · Brewery
Founded by parents of young kids, Jack's Abby's Framingham beer hall shows it — high chairs at the ready, a full lunch and dinner menu, and a…
Kura Sushi - Framingham
Framingham · Japanese
This revolving sushi bar is a hit with families! Plates glide by on a conveyor belt, and a friendly robot delivers drinks right to your table. Little…
Legal Sea Foods
Framingham · Seafood | Gluten-Free Friendly
Classic New England seafood restaurant known for fresh, high-quality dishes.
Lexington Beer Garden at Revolution Hall
Lexington · Brewery | Pizza
Craft Food Halls' Lexington beer garden pairs picnic tables and bean bag toss for the kids with a big menu of salads, pizzas, burgers, wraps, and…
Life Alive Organic Café (Legacy Place)
Dedham · Mediterranean | Gluten-Free Friendly
A light-filled café at Legacy Place serving Life Alive's colorful organic bowls, wraps, and smoothies — an easy healthy option mid-shopping-trip…