North Suburbs

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.

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.

10 Enrichment Classes for Boston Babies

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 03/26/2018 - 8:02pm

As a new mom, I really looked forward to doing classes in subjects like music and art with my son. At first I thought we’d have to wait until he was older to do any sort of formal enrichment activity, but I soon learned that there are a ton of options available for even the littlest babies. These classes are a great way to bond and are perfect for providing much-needed stimulation for babies that are past the newborn stage. So here’s a roundup of 10 classes that are designed especially for Boston babies.

35 Things to Do with Kids During April Vacation Week in Boston

Submitted by Kip Wilson Rechea on Sun, 03/25/2018 - 8:00pm

April vacation week is full of exciting possibilities for kids in Boston—no plane tickets required. Besides getting out to enjoy the start of spring weather, families have their pick of cool activities between April 16th and 22rd, including tons of ways to celebrate Patriots' Day, Earth Day and Easter. The Cambridge Science Festival (pictured at top) is most definitely a top pick in my household, but it's only one of many events going on, so have a peek at the additional gems below to enjoy with the kids. Here's to a fantastic week for everyone!

Boston-Area Spring Festivals You Don't Want to Miss

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 9:11pm

As March winds down and the city blossoms into springtime, there are few better ways to celebrate than by getting outside at one of Boston’s fun, family-friendly festivals. With so many to choose from, it seems like the whole city is cheering the warmer, sunnier days with music, art, flowers, and food. And the best part? Many of these special events are free. Mark your calendars now and enjoy the anticipation of balmier, more festive days ahead!

14 Science and Tech Summer Camps for Boston Kids who Love STEM

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 02/26/2018 - 11:00am

Surrounded as we are by so many tech start-ups, a world-class science museum, and some of the top college computer-science departments in the country, it's no surprise that many of our kids are fascinated by all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Luckily, a growing number of tech-minded summer camps are cropping up all over the region to meet demand, and the options for local kids range from a program for wannabe inventors to a science immersion program just for girls. We’ve rounded up a dozen great school vacation programs where kids can tinker, make, build, code, invent, and experiment. Read on to find one that’s a good fit for your sci-tech lover, and sign up soon—early-bird specials are widely available this month, and some of these camps fill up fast. For more great brain-building programs over school break, check out our complete summer camp guide.

Maple Sugar Festivals and Farms for Boston Families

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 3:00pm

One of the sweetest things about living in New England is being able to experience maple sugaring firsthand. Bostonians don’t have to go very far to enjoy maple sugar festivals, take tours of farms, watch sap being boiled down in sugar houses, or learn to tap maple trees.

Of course, the best part is tasting the final product – in syrup form poured over pancakes, as candies, and even in hot dogs. Celebrate maple sugaring season with special events and visits to these local maple farms.

Thrilling Family Fun: 5 Escape Rooms and Quests to Do With Boston Kids

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 10:35am

As kids get older, it gets harder to find indoor family activities that aren’t “boring” or “stupid.” Fear not; there’s good news. If you’re the parent of older school-age kids or 'tweens, you might want to try an escape room adventure. People all over America are paying to be locked in a room for an hour—to try to get out, together. Escape rooms are the newest trend, and your family might love it. We’ve found five nearby escape rooms, or similarly-themed quest activities, where you and your kids can test your quick-thinking and problem-solving skills (and maybe do some bonding at the same time).

Family-Friendly Shows Coming to Boston in 2018

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Fri, 01/26/2018 - 10:27am

From splashy musicals to TV-inspired celebrations, Boston is a hub of special performances suitable for all ages. Live shows are a fun way to get out of the house, learn something new, and experience the arts. Whether you've got a preschooler or a preteen, there are some great shows happening in the area this year, from Paw Patrol to—yes, it's really happening!—Hamilton. To help you plan ahead, we’ve rounded up this list of shows coming to the area this winter, spring, and fall.

Free Admission for Kids at Boston Museums and Attractions

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 10:50am

It’s been said that the best things in life are free, but when it comes to visiting museums and other attractions with kids, it’s not always clear when they are free. Mommy Poppins has set out to uncover these freebies so Boston families can enjoy the best of the city without breaking the bank. Here, we've ID'd the museums that let young children—and in some cases, all kids—in at no charge.

If you're working your way through our Boston Kids' 100 Things to Do bucket list, you may want to coordinate with the cut-off ages below; some of the museums you can catch on their free admission days, but several other attractions below really drive home the bittersweet point that you're only young once.

Note that the cut-off ages below imply that when a child reaches the age listed, he or she no longer qualifies for free admission.