Boston

4th of July Fireworks in and Around Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 8:18pm

If you’re looking for a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a classic choice. Heading over to the Esplanade in the morning to stake out a spot, enjoying a picnic and the outdoors all afternoon, then in the evening hearing the 1812 overture as fireworks explode in the sky is a Boston tradition families have been enjoying for decades.

But if the sounds and crowds on the Esplanade seem a bit overwhelming, there are plenty of other great options. Lots of towns around Boston put on their own 4th of July displays that are just right for families with young children. Read on for some wonderful local celebrations with fireworks from June 30th through July 4th, and check out other Independence Day activities (an Ice Cream Cruise!) on our events calendar.

Free Summer Outdoor Movies for Boston Families

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Fri, 06/08/2018 - 10:40am

Enjoying a film on the big screen in the great outdoors is as much a summertime tradition in Boston as taking in music at an outdoor festival. Bring a picnic dinner and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show at one of these outdoor summer movie series in and around Boston. Movies usually begin at dusk, but you'll want to arrive early for the best viewing spots and to take advantage of pre-movie entertainment when offered.

10 Summer Festivals For Boston Families

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 8:22pm

Summer is just about here and there’s no better time to get outside with the kids than right now. Whether you’re headed to the beach or going on a hike, outdoor fun abounds during this season. And one of the best ways to soak it up is at Boston’s many summertime festivals. The 10 listed here are all super kid-friendly and will make for a memorable summer day.

Free Water Fun for Boston Kids: Spray Parks, Fountains and Wading Pools

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 05/25/2018 - 11:45am

You know it's summertime in Boston when kids are running through fountains and splashing in shallow pools of water on the Greenway and Boston Common. There's plenty of water fun to be had in neighborhoods all around the city, and we've rounded up some of our favorite spots. Most locations are open on weekends after Memorial Day, and then daily from the end of June through Labor Day. Bonus: they're all free!

10 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 2:02pm

It’s one thing to go to a kid-friendly restaurant, where you know you won’t get any dirty looks from the proprietors or other patrons. But family dining heaven might just be a place that also allows kids to play—the idea being that you can actually enjoy your meal after they wolf down theirs. We decided to round up a list of such restaurants, focusing on ones that serve up truly good food along with some sort of entertainment. We call that a win-win!

50 Free Things To Do in Boston With Kids This Summer

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 05/20/2018 - 8:29pm

You don't have to go broke to have fun with kids in and around Boston this summer. There are lots of free things to do, whether you want to enjoy the sunshine outside or cool off indoors . Read on for a summer of free water fun, festivals, crafts, music, games, movies, and more.

11 Innovative Boston Playgrounds Where Kids Learn as They Play

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Fri, 05/11/2018 - 6:14pm

Playgrounds just aren’t what they used to be, and that's a good thing. As more attention is being paid to playground design concepts, the scorching metal slides and concrete jungle gyms of our childhood are giving way to nature-inspired layouts, brain-boosting equipment, and wheelchair-accessible structures that promote—and model for kids—inclusivity. These new-school playgrounds—two of which are also on our "destination playgrounds" list—are beautiful, safe spaces for kids of all ages and abilities to entertain and challenge themselves, so parents can watch from a distance as kids do what they were born to do: play.

6 Summer Birthday Party Spots for Boston Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 05/06/2018 - 8:31pm

Summer is nearly upon us and that means it’s time to plan birthday parties for kids born when school is out. I have a summer baby, so I’ve thought a lot about where to have a party when the weather is nice and everyone’s on vacation. We've shared ideas for outdoor options where you can plan a free, spontaneous celebration, but we discovered several more venues—some indoors, some out—that specialize in summery kids' parties. Here are six of our favorite warm-weather birthday bash spots around Boston.

Kids Obstacle Course Challenge Coming to Boston

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 04/30/2018 - 11:08am

Calling all active kids! A nationwide adventure race created just for children ages 5 and up is swinging through Boston, and it promises some heart-pumping fun for families. The Kids Obstacle Challenge will be held one day only, on May 19 at Kalon Farm in Lancaster (just less than hour west of the city) before it moves on to Washington, D.C. Expect mud pits, rock walls, ball pits, rope challenges, and more mud...basically an outdoor version of the ninja warrior courses that have become so popular. If you have kids who love to have fun, get messy, and challenge themselves, read on for more details about this one-day-only event.

May GoList - Best Things to Do with Kids in Boston

Submitted by Lucie T on Sun, 04/29/2018 - 8:09pm

We’re feeling festive this month! For our May edition of the GoList, we’re highlighting fabulous and free spring festivals, annual Mother's Day traditions, and performances you won't want to miss. As you check out our top ten picks for things to do with kids in Boston this month, click through to the event listings so you can add them to your calendar. Plus, we'll still send our free e-newsletters with our family-friendly event picks every week.