Boston

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Earth Day, Sailing, and a Folk Festival, Apr 21-22

Submitted by Lucie T on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 8:54pm

One more weekend to go before everyone is back in school, parents—you've got this! Hopefully the weather cooperates because Community Boating is having their annual open house with boathouse tours, and free sailing on the Charles. Celebrate the Earth this weekend at a party for the planet, a spring clean-up, and an upcycling craft project. Get folksy, meet an author, and even try lollipops for breakfast.

6 Spring Family Day Trips That Boston Kids Will Love

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 04/16/2018 - 8:42pm

If there's a season when Bostonians are itching to get out and explore, it's spring: After a long, cold New England winter, it's liberating to pile the family in the car and discover someplace new, preferably one that showcases flora and fauna in kid-friendly ways. We're blessed to be in driving distance of many beautiful places fit for a weekend escape, but sometimes, you don't have multiple days to spare. All of these places offer unique ways to celebrate the season, and clocking in at around or under two hours from city limits, make for a fine springtime day trip.

9 Family-Friendly Spots to Watch the Boston Marathon with Kids

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Sun, 04/15/2018 - 8:47am

It's finally mid-April again, and Boston’s time to shine. Marathon Monday brings out the best of Boston, as half a million people come together to cheer on competitors from around the world. With 26 miles to choose from, it’s hard to know the best places to go to get the best view, while staying away from rowdy crowds. Here are a few spots along the marathon route where you can get a great view, while staying close to transportation and places to eat. If watching fife and drum brigades, battles, and other historical enactments is more your family's speed, check out these other Patriots' Day activity ideas.

10 Great Places to Hike with Kids Around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 04/13/2018 - 8:00pm

I’ve always loved hiking, so I was eager to get back to it not long after having my first baby. Last fall, we joined the Babes in the Woods' weekly guided hikes for baby-wearing caregivers at the Middlesex Fells, one of my favorite local hiking spots. And this spring, I'd love to explore even more local trails. Whether your kids are in a carrier or old enough to hike alongside you, there are plenty of fun and scenic trails throughout the Boston area to enjoy. Here are 10 nearby spots to take in the great outdoors on foot.

The Greenway Carousel is a One-of-a-Kind Kids' Birthday Party Spot

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 04/12/2018 - 9:00am

Picking the perfect kids' party spot is no easy feat, so we're pretty much in birthday-planning heaven when we come across an option that's sure to standout from the crowd. And if you didn't already know you could host a celebration at the completely one-of-a-kind Greenway Carousel at the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, you're bound to be as thrilled as we were to realize this city hotspot is totally up for grabs.

If this gem isn't already on your venue-searching radar, we've got a solid list of reasons why the Greenway Carousel is one of the best places to blow out the candles with your kiddo!

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Swan Boats, Stuart Little, and Patriots Day Fun, Apr 14-15

Submitted by Lucie T on Wed, 04/11/2018 - 8:11pm

Let's kick this April vacation week off with a bang! You know it's spring when Wheelock Children's Theatre opens with a show like Stuart Little, the beloved tale about an adventurous mouse.

Got a Dino Lover? Catch the Life-Sized Dinosaurs Coming to Franklin Park Zoo!

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 04/09/2018 - 1:15pm

Catch 'em before they disappear again! For the first time since 2012, an animatronic dinosaur exhibit will be on loan to the Franklin Park Zoo. Destination Dino will feature more than a dozen moving, roaring, life-sized dinos, on display from May 26 through December 3. It's like Dino Dan or Dana come to life...right here in Boston.

8 Sheepshearing and Wool Festivals in New England

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 04/08/2018 - 1:00pm

We're finally seeing the first signs of spring! On the farm at this time of year there is new life everywhere, and the sheep are due for haircuts. That means it's shearing festival time. Locally, Gore Place and North Andover are celebrating sheepshearing season with big shindigs. (It’s not that strange—think of the big deal you made about your child’s first haircut.) If you want to make a fun family day trip or even a weekend getaway out of it, there are also sheepshearing and wool festivals in nearby Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts.

Patriots' Day Weekend Events for Families in Boston, Lexington, and Concord

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Fri, 04/06/2018 - 12:44pm

Patriots' Day commemorates the April anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first clashes of the American Revolutionary War. It is a Massachusetts state holiday, officially observed on the third Monday in April, and is celebrated with parades and ceremonies from Boston to Roxbury, and all along the Battle Road.

We’ve rounded up some of the key reenactments, parades, and special events leading up to and on Patriots' Day, as well as special events at local museums, historical houses and Minute Man National Park. Note: most of the events listed are free but also very popular, so plan to arrive early and expect crowds. (If you're interested in more happenings or places to eat while in Concord, check out our 20-plus things to do in Concord post.)

Beyond the Goody Bag: 10 Great Birthday Party Favor Ideas for Kids

Submitted by Danielle Halibey on Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:55am

Whether you love them or hate them, party favors are still a huge part of any child’s birthday celebration. I happen to love figuring out favors for these festive occasions, because it’s creative and challenging—something I can happily pat myself on the back for, if done successfully. For that to happen, it needs to be equal parts pleasing for the kids and their parents, and either edible, memorable, practical, shareable, or charitable.

Do yourself a favor and read on for 10 ultra unique ideas to take your little guy or girl’s goody bag from basic to brag-worthy.

For more unique ways to fete your youngsters, check out our list of free ways to celebrate and 10 sweet alternatives to birthday cake, or learn how to create a DIY photo booth for the big event. Planning to celebrate your little one's first birthday soon? We've got ideas for your soon-to-be-turning-one babes, too. Whatever you're looking for, we’ve got birthday hints in the bag.