10 Best Things To Do With Young Kids In Boston

If your kid is too young to care about history, there are still so many fun activities you can enjoy. These are the 10 best things to do with young kids in Boston!

Visiting Boston with young kids is such a fun way to spend quality time together. Planning a day trip or weekend away in Boston is a fun way to break out of your regular routine and see what this city has to offer.

While there are many historical sites and tours in Boston, I wanted to focus more on some fun things to do with young kids in Boston that aren’t generally geared towards history. Here is my list of the 10 best things to do with young kids in Boston.

1. Boston Children’s Museum

There’s nothing better than watching young kids play while they’re learning. That’s exactly what you’ll experience when you visit Boston Children’s Museum while you’re in Boston with young kids. This museum offers hands-on exhibits and much more all with a science learning base and it is just plain fun.

The Boston Children’s Museum was absolutely our favorite place to visit in Boston. When you enter the lobby, kids are greeted with a multi-story climbing structure that looks like it is taken straight out of a Dali painting. Have a seat and get cozy– your kids will be climbing in and around this indoor play-space for a while.

Other favorite areas included the bubble room, Johnny’s Workbench, and the Construction Zone. Oh, and check the website or app for daily events. When we were there, my daughter got a kick out of splattering paint everywhere with drum sticks. She was in heaven.

Know Before You Go

Website: https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
Location: 308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Your best bet for parking when visiting the Boston Children’s Museum is Stillings Street Garage that has the following fees:
- Weekdays – $24 when you get your parking stub validated at Boston Children’s Museum Information Desk.
- Weekends – $15 flat rate – no parking validation required.
- You may use public transportation instead of parking in the garage, it’s best to visit the Boston Children’s Museum website and click on parking to find options other than this garage parking.
Admission: Adults: $17 Children (1-15): $17 Children (Under 12 months): FREE
If you’re planning to visit Boston Children’s Museum with children who have special needs, it’s best to call ahead and discuss your needs with their highly trained staff. They can prepare the visit to run smoothly for your young kids and you while you’re visiting this location.

2. New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is a fantastic place to take your kids to see all kinds of aquatic animals. Our favorites were the penguins, the giant sea turtles, and the seals. However, the aquarium is huge and you can spend the better part of a day here, especially if you take a whale watching tour or see one of the IMAX movies.

Kids will love the multiple touch tanks, including a tank where they can touch ray’s and sharks. Of course, the centerpiece of this fantastic aquarium is the 200,000 gallon Giant Ocean Tank, which covers 4-floors!

Know Before you Go

Location: 1 Central Wharf Boston MA 02110
Website: https://www.neaq.org/
***The New England Aquarium is a VERY popular attraction for both locals and out of town tourists. If at all possible, you should time your visit for a weekday, as opposed to a weekend… unless you don’t mind squeezing to see the exhibits in the dark with 100,000 of your closest friends.
Parking is not included with any ticket pricing, as New England Aquarium doesn’t own any parking areas near their aquatic center. Your best bet is to park in The Harbor Garage or to take the T into Boston from any major MBTA location in Boston.
Fall/Winter Hours – September 1st through June 30th Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday 9am to 6pm
Summer Hours – July 1st through August 31st – Sunday – Thursday 9am to 6pm Friday – Saturday 9am to 7pm.
Other attractions that are part of the New England Aquarium include Whale Watching offered from April through November as well as Simons IMAX Theatre that has daily shows.
Admission: pricing varies on whether you’re going to buy combination tickets, such as IMAX Theatre tickets with your New England Aquarium tickets or combine a Whale Watch with your New England Aquariums tickets. If you’re just going to New England Aquarium then the tickets cost $27.95 per adult, $18.95 for children ages 3-11, $25.95 for seniors ages 60+. Children under 3 are free.

3. Franklin Park Zoo

I have to be honest, when we first strolled through the front gate of the Franklin Park Zoo I was a bit skeptical. The main lawn area isn’t very pretty. However, push past the front yard and you will be in for a treat. The lion exhibit is super cool because kids can get into a safari vehicle and pretty close to the lions.

We also loved the Gorillas, Giraffes, Tigers, and the Butterfly exhibit. Also, the Franklin Park Zoo has an outstanding Children’s Zoo area (prairie dogs are so cute!) and the 10,000 square foot playground is totally amaze-balls.

Know Before You Go

Website: https://www.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo.aspx
Location: 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121
free parking at the zoo. There are three options to enjoy free parking at this zoo; Giraffe entrance parking lot on Pierpont Road, Zebra entrance parking lot between Franklin Park Road and Blue Hill Ave. (Peabody Circle), and Parking lot on Circuit Drive/N.Jewish War Vets Drive.
Summer Hours: (April 1 – September 30) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays & 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. weekends and major holidays.
Winter Hours: (October 1- March 31) Daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Franklin Park Zoo has a sensory friendly option for enjoying this zoo in Boston with young kids on the spectrum. Simply visit their website, click on hours & info, then scroll down to their Sensory Friendly Guide.
Admission: Adult: $16.95 Senior (62+): $14.95 Child (ages 2-12): $11.95 Children under 2: Free Please Note: you can save up to 15% off admission costs when you order online and print the tickets at home.

4. Museum of Science

The Museum of Science in Boston is one of the best things to do with young kids in Boston. The entertainment and exhibits in this science museum will keep the entire family busy for hours. From dinosaurs to butterflies and everything in between, it’s a must see when you’re in Boston with young kids.

The best bets for young kids are the dinosaurs, watching a lightening storm, and drop-in activities such as investigation station, design challenges, and the hands-on laboratory.

Know Before you Go

Website: https://www.mos.org/
Location: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
The Museum of Science in Boston has its own parking garage, but it can get full quickly during peak seasons. The pricing to park in the garage varies based on how long you’re staying here, so it’s best to check The Museum of Science website for full details on parking information.
Or, just take an Uber.
Admission: The admission price varies depending on what you’re going to do while at the Museum of Science. See info below for basic pricing and visit their website to learn about other add on items to enjoy during your visit.
Exhibit Halls Adults 12+: $28.00 Seniors 60+: $24.00 Children 3-11: $23.00
Regular Museum Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm & Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

5. Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Quincy Market is just plain fun. On weekends and over the summer there are tons of street performers and concerts. And your kids will get a kick out of walking through Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is probably the original food court.

Know Before you Go

Website: http://www.quincy-market.com/ or https://faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
Location: 4 South Market St, Boston, MA 02109
The best place to park when you’re visiting Quincy Market with young kids is 75 State Street Garage. The garage entrance is located on 5 Broad Street. It is open 24/7.
Hours of Operation: Mon – Sat: 10:00a.m. – 9:00p.m. & Sunday: noon – 6:00p.m.
There are free guided tours of Quincy Market if you’d like to sign up for one just visit their website to learn more.

6. Boston Commons

This 50 acre area is the central park located in Boston where you can enjoy some downtime with young kids in Boston. Enjoy baseball, public art and tennis while you venture around this large common that’s known as America’s oldest park.

Know Before you Go

Website: https://www.boston.gov/parks/boston-common
Location: 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111
You can park at the Boston Common Garage so that you’re able to have a well-lit location to get back to once you’re done enjoying the natural beauty of Boston Commons.
Admission is free as this is a park open to the public to enjoy theater, picnics and 50 acres of nature in the middle of the city of Boston.

7. Boston Tea Party Ships

Whether you’re into history or not, this is one of the best things to do with young kids in Boston. You get to be part of the famous event that forever changed history and America! There’s so many different things to enjoy while you’re visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships like re-enact the actual tea party, or even enjoy an afternoon tea party with your kids!

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Know Before you Go

Website: https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/
Location: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
You can enjoy discounted parking when you visit Boston Tea Party Ships. You will just need to have your parking validated while you’re at Boston Tea Party Ships and enjoy a discount when you park at the Farnsworth Street Garage.
You can save money with admission when you purchase your tickets online, but here are both pricing options:
- Adults: $29.95, online $28.45 Senior/Student/Military: $26.95, online $25.60 Child (5-12): $18.00, online $17.10.
Hours of Operation: First Tour: 10am, Last Tour: 5pm Off Season: First Tour: 10am, Last Tour: 4pm

8. USS Constitution and Bunker Hill

Swing in a hammock, create a sail, the opens are endless when you opt to visit USS Constitution and Bunker Hill with young kids in Boston. While this is a historical location, there are so many fun activities and showings to delight young kids when they’re visiting this location with parents.

Know Before you go

Website: https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/
Location: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA 02129
There are many ways to get to this location and parking is quite limited, it’s highly recommend that you take public transportation such as the MBTA subway or Bus to get here.
The museum is open daily: Open Daily | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. While the ships’ are open Wednesday-Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The ships are closed Monday & Tuesday
The USS Constitution is open to the public on a first-come, first serve basis and adults need a valid passport or photo identification to enter. Admission has a suggested donated price of $10-$15 for adults, $5-$10 for children with a suggested donated price of $25-$45 for families. They do appreciate any amount donated though.

9. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Your kids will absolutely love playing at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston with your kids. From family fun with reds, 1 LEGO builds and play zones as well as a 4D cinema you won’t get bored with young kids in Boston when you visit this place!

Know Before you Go

Webiste: https://boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/
Location: 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
Parking is pretty reasonable for LEGOLAND, a there is a public parking garage located on Artisan Way. If the lot is full, street parking is available.
Admission for LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston varies from $24.95 per person to $37.95 when you purchase discounted tickets on their website.
This location has a Great LEGO Race VR experience, so you may want to check that out before you leave this location!

10. Playgrounds

Last, but certainly not least, if you’re looking for some recommended playgrounds in Boston so that you can enjoy some fun with young kids, then these are the best ones to visit while in Boston with young kids:

Alexander W. Kemp Playground, 36 Waterhouse St, Cambridge, MA
- This playground has many wooden structures and water fun for young kids visiting Boston with their family.
Tadpole Playground, 131 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
- This is the perfect playground to enjoy while you’re visiting Boston Commons as it’s located directly in the same area.
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Atlantic Ave & Richmond St, Boston, MA
- - Enjoy open green space and watch as your young kids enjoy running through the sprinklers at this playground in Boston, MA that’s perfect to get the wiggles out with young kids.
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There you have it, 10 best things to do with young kids in Boston. Whether you’ve lived in Boston forever, new to the area or simply planning a family vacation with young kids in Boston, I hope that this list has provided you some fabulous ways to keep young kids entertained while you’re in the city of Boston.