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Patriots' Day Weekend Fun for Boston Kids

The U. S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum performs at Lexington Green. Photo by SFC Richard Ruddle/CC BY 2.0
The U. S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum performs at Lexington Green. Photo by SFC Richard Ruddle/CC BY 2.0
4/10/19 - By Clementina Verge

History buffs, lovers of liberty, marathon runners, and cheering spectators: Welcome to your favorite weekend of the year! Commemorating the opening engagement in the American Revolution, Patriots' Day is celebrated with various events, from parades to battle reenactments. To cheer on runners rather than revolutionaries, scope out a family-friendly spot to watch the racers with kids at the 123rd Boston Marathon.  

If you and your kids' tastes run more toward the arts, grab your seats to Tap Dogs, put on your dancing shoes at the New England Folk Festival. Of course, April is a month filled with opportunities to soak up the increasing sunshine. Do not forget to check out our April GoList: Best Things to Do With Kids in Boston and the spring fun guide. For even more ideas, browse our Event Calendar, like our Facebook page, and subscribe to our free newsletter.

 

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Cambridge Science Festival at the MIT Museum. Photo by George Imirzian
Cambridge Science Festival at the MIT Museum. Photo by George Imirzian

All Weekend

Boston Marathon Days

Boston
Find out what it takes to train for a long distance race like the Boston Marathon through interpretations with Museum staff and volunteers, guest speakers, and human biology-related exhibits in the permanent exhibit Hall of Human Life. READ MORE

Boston Marathon Fan Fest

Boston
Fan Fest will feature official Boston Marathon sponsors, live music, returning champions, activity stations, and a race weekend clinic. READ MORE

CraftBoston Spring 2019

Boston
CraftBoston Spring is an intimate gathering of 90 local and national craft artists who will exhibit and sell handmade wearable art, decor, furniture, and more. READ MORE

Cambridge Science Festival

Cambridge
The Cambridge Science Festival is a celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).  READ MORE

Saturday

Visit Whittemore House

Lexington
As part of the festivities of Patriots Day weekend, families can visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children's clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775. READ MORE

Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration

Lexington
Hundreds of British and Colonial Reenactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration, showing the running battle that took place along this deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. This event involves musket firing and fast-paced battle action. READ MORE

Count Me In: A Special Democracy Day Just for Kids

Boston
Young people will create civic art projects, share their ideas for a more vibrant and inclusive world, and work together to come up with a design for a playground that is welcoming to all during this free, kid-friendly program day. Register here.   READ MORE

Sunday

Home to Two Revolutions

Concord
Meet the minister who sparked a revolution, his grandson who inspired the transcendental movement, and artists, musicians, and scientists who all called the Old Manse home during this house tour. From the American Revolution of 1775 through the literary revolution of the mid-19th century, you'll discover why the Old Manse is home is home to revolutions in both thought and deed that helped to define the American nation. READ MORE

Annual Lantern Ceremony

Boston
One If by land, Two if by sea. The enduring fame of the Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman, climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land. This fateful event ignited the American Revolution.  READ MORE

Paul Revere and William Dawes Rides Reenactments

Lexington
Paul Revere arrives at Hanover Street in Boston at 9:30 a.m., and William Dawes arrives at Eliot Square in Roxbury at 9:30 a.m. Both riders depart at 10:30 a.m., warning the people while on their way to Lexington Green (arrival 1 p.m.- 1:25p.m.).   READ MORE

The House of Hancock

Lexington
This fun-filled, Hamilton-style musical tells the intriguing story of the rise of the Hancock family against the backdrop of the town where it happened: Boston! READ MORE
Lexington Battle Reenactment. Photo courtesy of Lexington Historical Society
Lexington Battle Reenactment. Photo courtesy of Lexington Historical Society

Monday

Patriots' Day at the Old Manse

Concord
Tour the Old Manse as its opens for the summer visitor season and help Concord recognize its revolutionary heritage during Patriots' Day celebrations. The Old Manse will be open for guided tours focusing on William Emerson and the legacies of Concord history that also inspired Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Tours will depart on the hour and are limited to 12 people; tickets available online and at the door.   READ MORE

Patriot's Day Brickyard Hike

Martha's Vineyard
Explore the brickwork ruins of the Chilmark Brick & Tile Factory and hear stories of a once prosperous island industry. Hot drinks and treats will close this family hike. READ MORE

Cupola with a View

Ipswich
Designed to showcase the highlights of the house, you’ll get to see original Crane plumbing, learn the history of the property beyond the Crane family, peek into servant life in the house, but most importantly – you will get to step out onto the roof.  READ MORE

Lexington Battle Reenactment

Lexington
The central event of Patriots’ Day weekend, the Lexington Minute Men have organized and sponsored the Reenactment for 48 years to recreate the birth of American Liberty on Lexington Common in 1775. “They nobly dared to be free!” READ MORE

Sunrise Youth Parade

Lexington
A special parade for a variety of youth organizations such as Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League Teams, Youth Soccer, School Bands, etc. The Parade starts at the Munroe Cemetery Driveway and proceeds through Lexington Center and onto the Battle Green.   READ MORE

Patriots' Day Handbell Concert

Lexington
The family-friendly concert includes music played on 5 octaves of handbells and 6 octaves of hand chimes, sure to please listeners of all ages. This year the concert is a multimedia production of American movie and show tunes from such favorites as “The Wizard of Oz”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, The Best of John Williams and many more. READ MORE

Patriots' Day at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge
Listen to the peal of bells, the stirring beat of drums, and the thrilling call of the fife, as the Sturbridge Militia musters in the countryside. Special programs and activities throughout the day will invite visitors to experience the sights and sounds of our colonial ancestors as the Revolutionary War began. READ MORE

Boston Marathon

Various Locations
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and is one of the world's most prestigious road races. Spectators can cheer the runners on throughout the course. READ MORE

Boston (Children’s Museum) Marathon

Boston
 Kids can stride through the Museum’s marathon course and complete the challenges that they find throughout the exhibits. READ MORE

Marathon Spectacular 2019

Hopkinton
Weston Nurseries invites you to party less than 1 mile from the start of the race. Eat, drink, dance, and have fun all while cheering on the runners as they go by. Weston Nurseries, along with Start Line Brewing Company, and Marty’s Fine Wines are hosting this event to support the 26.2 Foundation. All proceeds from this event will benefit their mission to promote the sport of marathoning. The kids will have a great time, playing giant Jenga, getting their faces painted, playing corn hole, dancing, or watching the race on our ginormous TV screen. The MetroWest YMCA for... READ MORE

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