South Suburbs

11 New Ice Cream Shops in or Near Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 10:41am

There are few things more quintessentially summer than eating an ice cream cone or sipping a frappe on a hot day. And we can’t think of a better time to expand your treat horizons beyond your neighborhood shop than on National Ice Cream Day, a mid-July annual tradition. So we’re bringing you a rundown of some of Boston's most drive-worthy destination ice cream shops, from old-fashioned soft serve purveyors to trendy rolled ice cream makers.

Best Swimming Ponds and Lakes Around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 10:00am

Living in or near Boston means that there are plenty of beaches that are perfect for families looking to spend the day outside. But swimming in the ocean can be tricky. First of all, it's usually freezing, which may not bother your kids, but makes most parents feel like popsicles. Also, the sizeable waves at many coastal beaches are often too strong for little ones to enjoy. Luckily, there are many local ponds and lakes where swimming is not only easy, but super-fun. So we’ve rounded up 10 places near Boston where you and your kids can splash around in freshwater all summer long.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Independence Day Fun and More; July 3-7

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 07/02/2017 - 5:14pm

It's finally time for the flags, sparklers, and red, white and blue: Independence Day is here! There's plenty of festive fun to be had in the city known as the birthplace of the revolution: Kids can pretend they're 18th century patriots on the eve of the big day, and then continue celebrations at fireworks shows and festivities near and far. The rest of the week tends to be quiet in and around the city, but a drum circle and exotic creatures are worth venturing out for. If all this excitement has you and the kids feeling exhausted by Friday, get cozy at a sleepy Brookline storytime. Whether you're on vacation this week or just looking for things to do in between camp days, you'll find loads of ideas for patriotic and everyday revelry on our Events Calendar. Huzzah!

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: STEM, Yoga, and Summer Solstice; June 19-23

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 06/18/2017 - 8:37pm

It's a week of wonders here in Boston. Whether your child is more fascinated in things nautical or meteorological, science or circus acts, there's sure to be something that will inspire awe between now and next weekend. If you haven't gotten a glimpse at the glorious tall ships which have taken up temporary residence in our waters, be sure to head down to the harbor before they depart for the next port of call. There are kid-friendly introductions to engineering downtown and to yoga in Chestnut Hill. If watching contortionists sounds more appealing than acting like one, be sure to check out the circus acts, musical numbers, and museum activities in Cambridge. Hilltop sunsets and a free glimpse at one of our city's most underrated exhibits close out this wondrous week. If you're craving more, connect to our Events Calendar for fun ideas this week and beyond.

Best Beaches for Families Within an Hour of Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 06/16/2017 - 12:01pm

We’re lucky here in Massachusetts to have so many beautiful beaches to choose from when the temperature soars. With lots of room to dig, play, and swim, a stretch of sand on the edge of the salty surf might be the perfect place to take kids in the summer. But with so many beaches to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones are really right for families. So we’ve rounded up eight of our favorite sandy spots to visit each summer—all within an hour of Boston!

Carson Beach—South Boston

Free Summer Outdoor Concerts for Boston Families

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 11:28am

Summertime is jam time, whether your genre of choice is kindie rock, roots, jazz, blues, world, or classical music. Boston neighborhoods and surrounding towns feature lots of popular local musicians in their summer outdoor music series, and some concerts are aimed specifically at kids. With our roundup of summer music series as your guide, you could take your kids to a community concert almost every day this season. Best of all, the performances are all free!
Editor's note: Be sure to check back often through June for updates, as concert dates are still being added and websites updated.

11 Places Where Kids Can Pick Flowers Near Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 10:12am

With ample room to roam around, farms are a great place to bring kids on a nice afternoon.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Puppet Palooza, Swords, and Flag Garden; May 22-26

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 05/21/2017 - 9:34pm

Thanks to all the smart cookies who joined me, Peppa Pig and PAW Patrol's Marshall at Bedford's Learning Express to do brainy games with Summer Brain Quest. It was a blast to see so many kids excited about learning—and about summer. This week gives us more reasons to get out of the house and learn something new. There are pop-up puppets telling classic fairy tales north of the river, and an event celebrating swords throughout history in the 'burbs. A beloved toy store will teach children about the Jewish holiday of Shavout through stories, and a South Shore museum will show kids how dirt is beneficial to a variety of critters and creatures. At week's end, parents can help kids absorb the meaning of Memorial Day through just the sort of visual display that children respond to: a breathtaking garden of flags planted in Boston Common. Have a great week, and take a peek at our Events Calendar for more fun ideas.

15 Spots in Boston to Get an Amazingly Delicious Frappe

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 10:36am

It may be below freezing for long chunks of the year in Boston, but that doesn’t stop our city from absolutely loving ice cream. And to show just how serious they are about cool treats, northern New Englanders have developed their own term for a thick, creamy ice-cream-based drink—a frappe. Basically, a frappe is just a fancy term for what the rest of the country calls a milkshake (and what Rhode Islanders, no joke, call a cabinet—because, duh, that's where the blender is kept.) Whatever term your household uses, these frozen drinks are huge hit with kids, especially when temperatures rise. The next time a special treat is in order, hit one of these amazing frappe joints, which range from a 19th-century dairy farm to a lactose-free creamery. We can hear the happy slurping already.

Rock Music Camps for Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 10:00am

If your house sounds like CBGB all day long, or you’re looking for a Boston summer camp that will help your aspiring Hendrix hone some real skills, then you’re in luck. The Boston area offers a plethora of summer rock music camps that cater to kids of all ages, abilities, and specialties—guitar, drums, bass, or vocals. Thanks to these camps, blossoming musicians will be jamming from Andover to Seekonk.

Find more great camp options for your Massachusetts kids in our Camp Guide and Directory of listings, which is searchable by interest, age, or location.