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10 Great Summer Camps for Preschoolers in and Around Boston

Submitted by Fiona Haley on

Ready or not, summer is just a few months away and it's time to plan a way to keep your Boston kids occupied. This is especially true for preschool-aged kids, for whom summer planning can be particularly tricky: They're old enough to want (and need) some mental and social stimulation outside the house, but not so mature that you can plant them at any old camp and trust they'll make do (or articulate why they're not). The good news is that the Boston area offers lots of great summer programs for preschoolers, from traditional day camps to out-of-the-box options. We've listed some of our favorite summer camps that cater to the little kids, even as young as toddlers.

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

Best Pizza and Ice Cream Near Family Attractions in Boston

Submitted by Rachel Becker on

Introducing children to a great hiking trail, museum, or landmark is always fun; that is until someone suddenly—and it's always suddenly—gets hungry. We've found that the best strategy for a smooth outing en famille is to pair an activity with a quick meal and easy dessert. Avoid frantic last-minute smartphone searches and map out these pizza and ice cream parlors, which are conveniently close to some of our favorite day-trip sites and also just happen to serve up some of the best slices and scoops in the area.

5 Kids' Farm Camps Near Boston for Little Plant and Animal Lovers

Submitted by Fiona Haley on

If your Boston kid is enchanted by things that grow in the dirt, whether they're pea shoots or baby piglets, it might be time to consider farm camp. Trust me when I tell you your kids will love it—when else are children encouraged to get messy and play with farm animals? Hosting summer camp on the farm offers kids the chance to explore the countryside while still in close proximity to the city, and your kids will get to be outside, do a lot of learning about ecology and environmental science, and discover the wonders of vegetables.

Here are five summer farm camps within about a half hour of Boston in Newton, Waltham, Natick and more nearby cities and towns. Please check the websites or call for exact prices, which may fluctuate seasonally. 

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

Top Boston Area STEM Camps to Make Summer a Blast

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

If a summer filled with flying drones, engineering robots, launching rockets, and modding Minecraft sounds a dream come true for your kiddo, then the Boston Area camp scene certainly won't disappoint! With loads of STEM and STEAM programs available at nearby universities, parks, libraries, and more, there are plenty of options for you and your curious kid to choose from. Plus, with the growing importance of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math studies, you can feel extra good about signing your child up for these hands-on, highly-interactive, enriching summer programs.

9 Summer Art Camps for Boston Kids

Kelley Heyworth's picture Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on

Sure, kids dabble in paint and clay once a week or so throughout the Boston school year. But if you have a child who really loves to create, a weeklong (or longer) summer art camp might be just the thing to ignite a passion.

These nine visual art camps, happening throughout the summer around Boston, span ages and art media, so you're sure to find one that gets your creative kid excited.

Be sure to check out our complete Boston Camp Guide for other art-based programs, including theater camps and more.

The deCordova: An Art Museum That's Just Right for Families

Kelley Heyworth's picture Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on

Art museums and kids aren't always a natural pairing. But here in Boston, cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art go out of their way to be welcoming to children, providing them with special guides at the door and recurring educational programs. But our family's favorite is one that remains relatively under the radar, tucked away as it is in the farmland of Lincoln: The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, which reopened on October 6 after a month-long closure as new exhibits were installed. Here are some tips for making a perfect day of it–and helping children appreciate the art and nature that surrounds them.

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Walden Pond With Kids

Elyse Andrews's picture Submitted by Elyse Andrews on

Walden Pond was made famous by Henry David Thoreau, who lived at the site from 1845-1847 and wrote the book Walden based on his experience. Today, Walden is known locally for being a beautiful, pristine recreation area. It’s one of our favorite places to visit year-round, but we especially love to go in the summer. There’s so much to do with kids at Walden and it provides a great alternative to heading to the beach on a hot day. Here’s our advice on how to make the most of your visit.

Drop-off Programs for Boston Kids on President's Day

Elyse Andrews's picture Submitted by Elyse Andrews on

Kids might have President's Day off from school, but that doesn’t always mean that mom and dad can stay home too. Many business are in full swing despite the holiday, which can leave parents in a tight spot when it comes to childcare. Even tougher, many February vacation week drop-off camps don’t start until the Tuesday after President’s Day. To make life easier, we've compiled a list of Boston-area drop-off programs that are available on the holiday.

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