Waltham

Boston-Area Spring Festivals and Fairs for Kids and Families

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 03/17/2019 - 10:09am

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!

10 Fall Festivals in Boston You Don't Want to Miss

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 8:00pm

It’s not officially autumn yet, but it will be soon and that means it’s time for fall festivals. There are so many in the Boston area that it can be hard to know which ones are good for families. We took the guesswork out of it by narrowing the field down to our favorites. You’ll find good food, fun activities, music, performances, and much more at these 10 fall festivities in Boston that are perfect for both parents and kids.

7 Destination Swimming Pools with Slides or Special Features for Boston Families

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Fri, 07/20/2018 - 9:29am

We all could use a dip in the pool during Boston's humid summertime. If you're looking for a little more than the basics you'll find at Boston's free or nearly free pools, you might want to consider paying for a day pass or a seasonal membership at one of the splashier aquatic centers around town or the 'burbs. Here are seven gloriously refreshing options, many with slides and spray features that will keep kids entertained all day. On a scorcher of a long day, the fees—and a bit of a drive, in some cases—will feel well worth it.

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

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 3:18pm

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.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Eco-Pop, Tidepools, and Yoga with Goats; Aug 7-Aug 11

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 08/06/2017 - 6:00pm

Crabs in the library? Yoga with goats? Some of the events we're excited about sound more like a Seuss story than real life, but that's partly what makes this early-August week so much fun around Boston. On Wednesday, the Aquarium folks bring their mobile touch tank to Brighton bookstacks. The next day, you can bring your limber little ones up to Bedford for barnyard yoga and some farm treats.

Speaking of farm treats, Gore Place is once again hosting its fantastically simple (and delicious) roast corn party, where the kids can let loose some energy on the property while you take care of dinner. (If you have a yen for more peak produce, you can pick-your-own blueberries this week, too).

It's also a good time to help kids think beyond themselves. A workshop in Dorchester bring children's attention to the historic buildings that shape our city, while an event in J.P. teaches environmental awareness through music. Still eager for more activities? Check out our Events Calendar for other exciting events this week and beyond.

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.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Sculpture, Farming, and Music Exploration; May 15-19

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 6:51pm

Monday, 5/15—Newton

Boston Kids' Activities That Fit Working Parents' Schedules

Submitted by Therese Sison on Sat, 01/28/2017 - 9:00am

Music, art, swimming, dance, playgroups: When you're the parent of a young child, the opportunities to introduce your son or daughter to new experiences and friends can seem limitless. But if you're a working parent, the last thing you want to do is cram your already packed calendar with classes that happen at inconvenient times. Luckily, Boston is home to many stellar programs that are particularly accommodating to working parents' schedules. Here are some of our favorites.

9 Places for Family-Friendly Snowshoeing Near Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 01/20/2017 - 10:00am

When temperatures start to drop in Boston, it’s tempting to want to hibernate inside with the kids. But that almost always leads to a bad case of cabin fever. So when winter strikes, we try to embrace it. This means getting out for activities like wintertime walks, skiing, and ice skating. And our other favorite winter activity, that’s perfect for the whole family: snowshoeing. Whether you have your own snowshoes or need to rent them, there are plenty of options for where to try snowshoeing near Boston.

Sailing, Kayaking, Duck Tours, and Other Fun Ways to Experience the Charles River With Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 2:50pm

The banks of the Charles River are perfect places for families to walk, run, bike or play. The Esplanade, which lines the Boston side of the Charles, is even a perfect place to picnic. But there’s a lot of fun to be had on the water, too. From kayaking and sailing to riverboat cruises and Duck Tours, there are plenty of ways to get on the Charles with kids. Here are six of the best options to explore this summer.