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Boston, MA · Guide

Things to do with kids in Boston

Boston is a city where colonial history sits right beside modern discovery. Families can spend a morning tracking the Freedom Trail through the busy North End and an afternoon watching the swan boats glide across the lagoon in the Public Garden. The city is condensed and walkable, making it easy to transition from a structured museum visit to unstructured play in the many green spaces lining the harbor and riverfront.

This guide skews toward preschool and school-age children, offering a mix of high-energy outdoor parks and hands-on science and history centers. From the rowdy enthusiasm of a Red Sox game at Fenway to the sensory-rich exhibits at the Children's Museum, there is a clear focus on interactive learning and active exploration. The locations selected provide a balance of Boston’s historical gravity and its identity as a playful, accessible destination for families.

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  1. 01

    Fenway Park

    4.8 (45,338)4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Kids' menu likelyLoudBest for school-age

    This historic MLB stadium is constructed of brick and features nostalgic wooden foldable seats. Families can watch games from the grandstand with views close to the field or take organized tours through the team apparel shop to learn about its history as the first MLB stadium in the USA.

    When to go: book tours in advance

    Parent tip · Look for seats in Grandstand 23, Row 5, seats 8-11 to avoid support posts that block the view.
    Featured on Boston Central Family
  2. 02

    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    4.8 (19,824)465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
    Kids' menuCalmAll ages

    A massive art institution housing Egyptian pharaohs, Japanese art, and an extensive collection of Monet paintings. The building features a sprawling layout with a dedicated Art of the Americas Wing and peaceful soaring glass galleries.

    When to go: no wait weekdays

    Parent tip · Enjoy your meal outside in the courtyard and plan for at least 3-4 hours to see the galleries.
  3. 03

    Public Garden

    4.8 (18,641)Boston, MA 02116, USA
    CalmAll ages

    Established in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in the U.S., this park features manicured lawns and weeping willows. It is famous for its iconic duckling statues and seasonal swan boat rides on the lagoon.

    Parent tip · The park is ideal for a picnic, but signs remind visitors not to feed the birds.
    Featured on Boston Central Family
  4. 04

    Boston Common

    4.7 (38,569)139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
    LivelyAll ages

    This central city park serves as the starting point for the Freedom Trail and features numerous large sculptures. The grounds include paved walking trails, an off-leash dog park, and the Frog Pond, which serves as an ice-skating rink during winter months.

    Parent tip · Use the visitor center at the park to start your walk on the Freedom Trail.
    Featured on Boston Central Family
  5. 05

    Museum of Science

    4.7 (23,298)1 Science Pk, Boston, MA 02114, USA
    Kids' menuHigh chairsLivelyBest for school-age

    A three-floor science center focused on interactive, hands-on learning including a live electricity demonstration and a robot dog. Exhibits cover a range of topics from taxidermy animals to AI-powered technology and macro-sized displays.

    When to go: no wait

    Parent tip · The museum offers free strollers which are helpful for navigating the three floors during a long visit.
  6. 06

    The Harvard Museum of Natural History

    4.8 (5,676)26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
    CalmAll ages

    This university museum features dinosaur fossils, a unique glass flower exhibit, and an extensive collection of minerals and rocks. The galleries display taxidermy animals alongside their bone skeletons to show internal structures.

    When to go: arrive at 9:00 AM

    Parent tip · Sign up for parking at the 52 Oxford garage to get a spot very close to the entrance.
  7. 07

    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

    4.7 (11,058)25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115, USA
    CalmAll ages

    A historic Venetian-style palace housing a private art collection across three floors surrounding a central floral courtyard. The museum is famously known as the site of a 1990 art heist where several empty frames remain on display.

    When to go: no advance ticket required

    Parent tip · Use the free lockers provided as food and water are not allowed inside the galleries.
  8. 08

    Charles River Esplanade

    4.8 (4,894)Storrow Dr, Boston, MA 02116, USA
    LivelyAll ages

    A 64-acre riverside park along the Charles River featuring well-paved paths for cyclists and runners. The space includes cherry blossom trees, views of rowing crews on the water, and the Hatch Memorial Shell for cultural events.

    Parent tip · Bikes and rollerblades are welcome on the Paul Dudley White Bike Path that runs through the park.
  9. 09

    Faneuil Hall Marketplace

    4.5 (48,867)Boston, MA 02109, USA
    Kids' menuLoudAll ages

    A historic marketplace consisting of three bright buildings filled with international food stalls, bakeries, and souvenir shops. The outdoor plaza is a hub for street performers and lively crowds near the landmark Quincy Market.

    When to go: walk-in only

    Parent tip · The central seating area has heavy wooden tables where you can watch street performers while you eat.
  10. 10

    Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

    4.8 (4,699)125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130, USA
    CalmAll ages

    A quiet botanical research institution with extensive grounds for walking and viewing a diverse collection of trees and shrubs. The park offers peaceful open spaces and clear paths for those seeking a nature escape within the city.

    Parent tip · Note that picnicking is generally not allowed here, except during the annual Lilac Sunday on Mother's Day.
  11. 11

    Boston Children's Museum

    4.7 (6,673)308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA
    LivelyBest for preschool

    An interactive indoor playground with three floors of themed exhibits, including a giant climbing structure and water play stations. Specialized areas are designed for different developmental stages, focusing on fine motor skills and imaginative play.

    When to go: book in advance

    Parent tip · Bring a change of clothes because kids will get wet at the Peeps water play station despite the smocks.
  12. 12

    Harvard Square

    4.6 (11,411)Two Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
    Kids' menu likelyLivelyAll ages

    A historic commercial hub adjacent to the university featuring bookstores, street performers, and various eateries. Visitors can walk through the campus to see the John Harvard statue or browse merchandise at the Harvard Coop.

    Parent tip · The area is very walkable with plenty of benches to sit and listen to street performers.
  13. 13

    Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

    4.6 (9,613)306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA
    LivelyBest for school-age

    A live-action museum where visitors participate in historical reenactments and throw tea overboard from a replica ship. Actors in period costume guide tourists through interactive presentations and displays of authentic colonial artifacts.

    When to go: buy tickets 2 weeks out

    Parent tip · Guides often help children get to the front of the portrait area so they can see the presentations clearly.
  14. 14

    New England Aquarium

    4.4 (28,412)1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA
    LivelyBest for toddlers

    This aquarium features a giant central ocean tank, a penguin colony, and interactive touch tanks for sea animals. The facility also houses an IMAX theater showing nature films and offers tactile 3D displays for visually impaired visitors.

    When to go: buy tickets online

    Parent tip · Adding a movie ticket is only about $5 extra and is a great way to extend the visit.
  15. 15

    The Paul Revere House

    4.5 (4,898)19 N Square, Boston, MA 02113, USA
    CalmBest for school-age

    A restored 1700s home and mini museum showcasing the life and furniture of the Revere family. Knowledgeable docents provide educational details about the American Revolution and what it was like for a middle-class family to live in the North End.

    When to go: buy tickets ahead

    Parent tip · Photography is prohibited inside the actual house but is allowed in the museum and courtyard area.

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