25 Things To Do in Springfield with Kids - Indoor Fun

1. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Try visiting the National Basketball Hall of Fame, where you can learn about the history of basketball in the city where basketball was born. 

2. Amelia Park Children's Museum

Explore, play and pretend at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

3. Interskate 91

With a pair of Springfield-area locations in Hadley and Wilbraham, Interskate 91 has two of the top roller skating rinks in the area. So keep the family fun rolling!

Get into the Seuss of things at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss. Photo courtesy of the Dr. Seuss Museum.

4. Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

Celebrate all things Seuss—author Theodor Seuss Geisel was born and raised in Springfield. Visit the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, where kids can interact with their favorite characters, like the Cat in the Hat, and try their hand at storytelling and other fun activities. 

5. Wistariahurst Museum

While away the hours, conferrin’ with the flowers in the Gardens of the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke.

6. Springfield Thunderbirds

Catch a game with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the town's new minor league hockey team. Games run from October through April.

7. Springfield Armory

Learn about David Lyle's "Life-Saving Gun" that threw ropes to ships and crews in distress at Springfield Armory.

8. Volleyball Hall of Fame

Discover the significance of the Holyoke YMCA circa 1895 to the sport of volleyball at the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke Heritage State Park.  

9 Springfield Museums

Engage in explorations of art, science and history at the Springfield Museums. 

10. Titanic Historical Society Museum

View rare artifacts that tell stories of the passengers and crew on the infamous gargantuan ship at the Titanic Historical Society Museum in the antique-lovers dream village of Indian Orchard.

25 Things To Do in Springfield with Kids - Outdoor Activities

Experience 19th century village life at the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield.

11. Storrowtown Village Museum

Take a culinary journey back in time with a meal at Storrowton Tavern, where they serve New England fare and continental cuisine in the historic setting of Storrowton Village Museum, a recreation of a 19th century village, on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition.

12. Six Flags New England

Thrill your older kids with a day at Six Flags New England in Agawam, where they can spin, dip and drop to their heart’s content. When they need to cool off, they can try the water rides in Hurricane Harbor.

13. Holyoke Merry-Go-Round

Go round and round on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round in Holyoke Heritage State Park. If you happen to be visiting in late June, enjoy characters, food, crafts and rides during the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round Fun Fest.

14. The Zoo in Forest Park

Go wild with literature during “Animal Tales” in July and August – or make new furry friends any time of the year – at The Zoo in Forest Park.

15. Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden

You can also Galumph with Horton or make up new characters with Theodore Geisel at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial, a whimsical and delightful sculpture garden on the grounds of the Springfield Museums.

16. Connecticut River Walk & Bikeway

Go for a walk or a bike ride along the longest river in New England on the Connecticut River Walk & Bikeway.

17. Randall's Farm & Greenhouse

After finding your way through the corn maze at Randall's Farm & Greenhouse in Ludlow, reward yourselves with ice cream from the Farm’s very own Elsie’s Creamery (seasonal).

18. Visit Stanley Park

Carve out some picnic-and-play time at Westfield's lovely Stanley Park, which has a Japanese botanical garden, a playground, and lots of green space for running around.

25 Things To Do in Springfield with Kids - Events and Seasonal Activities

Cheer on the Dragon Boats at River Front Park while visiting Springfield with Kids.

19. Dragon Boat Races

Dragon Boat RacesSpread out a blanket at River Front Park and watch the Dragon Boat Races in the warm-weather months.

20. The Big E

Every September, the Massachusetts State Fair, the Big E, brings food, rides, games, live music, and more fun to Springfield.

21. St. Patrick's Day Parade

Every March, the St. Patrick's Day Parade in nearby Holyoke is one of the nation's biggest; so you can make a family trip to Springfield a celebration of all things Irish!

22. Bright Nights at Forest Park

Take a carriage ride through magical light displays during Bright Nights at Forest Park, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

23. Mattoon Street Arts Festival

Listen to live music and munch on festival fare while you shop for handmade gifts at the Mattoon Street Arts Festival, the longest running arts and crafts fair in Western Massachusetts. Admission and parking are free (early September).

24. Water Lantern Festival

Every Year, Springfield hosts a traditional Water Lantern Festival on the Connecticut River..

25. World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

In mid-May, participate in the spectacle of the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. The kids will have full bellies, maple-sticky fingers, and bragging rights when breakfast is over.

Top photo courtesy of the Dr. Seuss Museum. Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Originally published in 2017; updated in 2024