March brings out the Irish in everyone for St. Patricks Day Parades and more! St. Patrick's Day parade photo by Liptakaa via Flickr 2.0
St. Patrick's Day Parades and More Top Best To Do in Boston March 2025 with Kids
Ziplining is one of many adventurous activities at Camp Birch Hill. Photo courtesy of the camp
GUIDE
Boston Summer Camp Guide
Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway
There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
Find the best snow tubing in Boston and around the region, like Bousquet Mountain Tubing in Pittsfield. Photo by Ogden Gigli for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Family Travel Guide
Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids
Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
New England Family Travel Guide
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
GUIDE
Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids
10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston
Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston
Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Playing in fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and fun things to do with kids in Boston in the autumn
GUIDE
Boston Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
GUIDE
Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities
New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug
No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Games & Activities Guide for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Online and Virtual Family Fun
GUIDE
Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids

15 Free and Fun Things to Do in May with Boston Kids

Photo courtesy of Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival
Photo courtesy of Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival
4/30/19 - By Lucie T

Spring may technically arrive in late March, but for those of us in New England, it doesn't really start to feel like spring until May. Getting outside and enjoying all the family-friendly spring activities Boston has to offer can definitely add up, cost-wise, so here are our picks for family fun that is also free. For even more free family activities, visit out our Boston Spring Fun Guide and check our calendar often.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Wake Up the Earth Parade & Festival. Photo by MarcoClicks.com
Wake Up the Earth Parade & Festival. Photo by MarcoClicks.com

Free in Boston

Harvard Arts Festival

Cambridge
Formerly the ARTS FIRST festival, each Harvard Arts Festival is unique but every year combines the exuberance of Harvard students, faculty, and affiliates who are passionate about the many art forms presented in four rousing days of performances, exhibitions and art-making opportunities. READ MORE

Wake Up the Earth Parade and Festival

Jamaica Plain
The Wake Up the Earth Festival brings together Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and other areas of Boston in an annual festival that celebrates diversity, the arrival of spring, music and culture, popular theater, the visual arts, and more. READ MORE

Swing into Spring

Boston
This annual event features a live animal show, arts & crafts, author readings, a magic show, plus live musical performances by Steel Rhythm Band, Soul Estate Band, and more. READ MORE

Somerville's PorchFest

Somerville
Musicians and bands in styles including funk, blues, gospel, bluegrass and so many more serenade passersby from porches throughout Somerville. READ MORE

2022 Watch City Steampunk Festival

Waltham
The Watch City Steampunk Festival returns this year to the beautiful Waltham Common. Attendees can listen to musical entertainment at the Gazebo and stroll a network of footpaths through the Festival's open-air vendors’ market (with over 60 vendors). Also on offer will be exhibitions, kids’ activities, dining at various food trucks, and live acts at multiple performance spaces. READ MORE

Tenacre Fair

Wellesley
An annual tradition, the Tenacre Fair includes carnival rides, games, face painting, pony rides, baby animal encounters, and other family-friendly activities. It also includes grilled and baked goods for lunch or snacks. Everyone is welcome! READ MORE

Lilac Sunday

Jamaica Plain
Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum, only one, the lilac, is singled out each year for a daylong celebration. This day is the only one all year when picnicking is permitted at the Arboretum. READ MORE

Revere Beach Kite Festival

Revere
The Revere Beach Kite Festival is a local tradition. Every May, families can come fly kites on Revere Beach. READ MORE

Boston Bubble Festival

Boston
Building on the popularity of “Bubble Guy” Jim Dichter’s presentations at previous Parks Department children’s events, the Boston Bubble Festival offers free outdoor activities like giant floating bubble demonstrations from bubble performers, a DJ, live entertainment, giveaways, and more. READ MORE

Harvard Square MayFair

Cambridge
The annual MayFair in Harvard Square features music, dancing, food, crafts, street art, beer gardens and entertainment for all ages.  READ MORE

Somerville Open Studios

Somerville
Somerville Open Studios is a free open house featuring art around the city.  Meet other families at the Kids’ Art Show at the Arts at the Armory (and have your child submit a piece in advance to see their own work on display). READ MORE

Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival

Boston
Go fly a kite at this 50-year Franklin Park tradition and celebrate the arrival of spring. READ MORE

Opening Weekend at the Greenway Open Market

Boston
On Saturday and Sunday the Greenway Open Market returns, featuring over 80 of the best local independent designers, makers and artists. READ MORE

Taza Chocolate Annual Spring Block Party

Somerville
Taza Chocolate Factory is ringing in spring by rocking their little Somerville block with food, beer, live music, and fun for all ages. READ MORE

Piers Park Sailing Opening Day 2019

East Boston
Come to Piers Park for free kayaking, sailing, food, and live music to celebrate 21 years on the water. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: