Things to Do with Kids in Boston: Boston Harborfest, Fourth of July and More, June 30-July 4
Fourth of July activities overtake the city this week, as Boston Harborfest celebrations run from June 28-July 4. The War of 1812 Bicentennial is also underway, bringing visiting ships from around the globe to Boston Harbor on June 30 that are available for public viewing this week. Running in conjunction with the Bicentennial is Boston Navy Week, a series of events that includes ship visits, Navy Band concerts, Blue Angels shows, and more.
Boston’s Fireworks on the Esplanade have long set the standard for Fourth of July celebrations across the country, but if the prospect of the crowds seems a bit overwhelming to your family, there are plenty of other options - we’ve rounded up some of our favorites in towns around Boston. And if Harborfest events aren’t enough “history” for you and your family, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum opened this week and is an interactive experience about the events that started the whole Revolution.
Read on for Harborfest highlights and other special happenings this week, and be sure to check our events calendar for more ideas. And thanks to those who are helping build our list of free things to do this summer in Boston with kids - we'd love to hear what else you're planning!
Enjoy, and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Please visit our Boston Harborfest post for updated information.
One Ship, One Crew, One Nation! - USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown
Thursday, 6/28-Wednesday, 7/4
Pick up a family fun Seabag discovery kits to use while checking out at the Navy Yard Visitor Center and at the USS Constitution Museum. At the new Discovery Center, families can find:
- USS Constitution War of 1812 – era gun-drills (12pm, 2pm, 4pm)
- Public tours from of USS Constitution (10 am – 6 pm excluding during the underway on July 4th)
- Public tours of USS Cassin Young (9am – 6pm)
- Meet and mingle with the Commandant’s wife and 1812 sailors (interpreters) at the Commandant’s House (10am - 4 pm)
- Video presentations about the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard (Visitor Center - Building 5)
- “History on Wheels,” NPS rangers manning pushcarts throughout the Yard help visitors learn how to repair a ship, discover children’s games and toys, and explore the age of sail and steam.
- “Stories with Rangers,” Park Service Rangers read share stories and provide hands-on activities for families to explore the many activities of a working Navy Yard.
- Visitors find fun character cut outs throughout the yard, each with introductions and QR codes to learn more. Many new outdoor exhibition panels illuminate “Life and Work in the Navy Yard in 1812.”
A series of colorful, interpretive banners will guide visitors across the Charles River bridge and into the Charlestown Navy Yard to usher in the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. FREE
Scavenger Hunt: Where the Boston Tea Party Began! - Old South Meeting House, Boston
Thursday, 6/28, Friday, 6/29, Sunday, 7/1, Wednesday, 7/4
What was all the fuss about tea in 1773? Piece together clues to discover how the Boston Tea Party all started at the historic Old South Meeting House in a challenging and fun scavenger hunt for all ages. Win a prize for completing it successfully. FREE with admission
Two if by Sea: Family Fun - Old North Church, Boston
Thursday, 6/28 - Wednesday, 7/4
Families learn the story of the lanterns, make their own replicas, and go on a scavenger hunt inside the church. $2/family
Children’s Day - City Hall Plaza, Boston
Friday, 6/29
Kids can celebrate the nation’s birthday with a wide variety of entertaining and educational activities. Historic New England and the New England Aquarium are just a few Boston organizations providing children with a chance to learn something new and exciting about their city and its history.
Children’s Day also features juggling and entertainment by Fly by Night, original music by Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, dance performances by the Eleanor Rubino Dancers, a Boston Duck, balloon fun and more. FREE
Plays in the Park: Tall Tale of a Tall Ship - Georges Island, Boston Harbor
Friday, 6/29
Families can enjoy a kids’ theater performance on the stage in Fort Warren. All shows include audience participation! Today’s performance: Tall Tale of a Tall Ship. FREE
Play Date: To Infinity and Beyond - ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art , Boston
Saturday, 6/30
Families look at the works on view in Josiah McElheny: Some Pictures of the Infinite, then join visiting artist Liza Corsillo to create sculpture that reflects their own ideas about space, time, and infinity. Final projects will be added to a collaborative installation. Free for families: up to two adults per family accompanied by children ages 6–12
Arrival of the Tall Ships - Deer Island, Boston Harbor
Saturday, 6/30
View the majestic Class A Tall Ships as they sail into Boston Harbor from Deer Island. FREE
Chowderfest - City Hall Plaza, Boston
Sunday, 7/1
Over two thousand gallons of New England’s signature dish, clam chowder, is ladled out to thousands at Boston City Hall Plaza. This is a Fourth of July tradition in Boston in which restaurants vie for the affections of attendees and the prestigious title of “Boston’s Best Chowder.” Adults $13; Children (under 12) $9
Twisted Strands: Ropemaking - Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center, Charlestown
Sunday, 7/1 & Wednesday, 7/4
Join a park ranger to explore 19th century rope making innovations at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Learn how simple machines help make rope. FREE
Little Redcoats: Kids Reenact the Boston Massacre - Old State House, Boston
Monday, 7/2
With little red coats and styrofoam snowballs, young visitors are the stars in a recreation of the Boston Massacre. The specific roles (soldiers, victims, etc.) are chosen just before the event begins; if your children are very interested in being one of the soldiers or victims, the Old State House recommends coming coming early. FREE
A Visit with Paul Revere - Paul Revere House, Boston
Tuesday, 7/3
David Connor brings Boston’s favorite patriot vividly to life in the museum courtyard. Ask him about the details of his midnight ride, inquire about his 16 children, or engage him in conversation about his activities as a member of the Sons of Liberty. Free with admission
Boston Pops July 4th Concert - Hatch Shell Esplanade, Boston
Wednesday, 7/4
Music superstars Jennifer Hudsson, Michael Chiklis, and others rock the Esplanade with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops.The Oval (the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell) opens at 9am; concert begins at 8:20pm; Fireworks start at 10:35pm.
Please see the website for details about where to watch and how to reserve spots and for a map of viewing spots. FREE
Happy Birthday, USA! - Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, Weston
Wednesday, 7/4
Activities for children and adults include stamp scavenger hunts, games and puzzles, designing patriotic stamps, making envelopes from recycled paper to use to send letters to friends (the Museum pays the postage) and arts and crafts activities using stamps. Children can also help create a flag mosaic using postage stamps, make a collection of American flags on stamps to take home and can have their photograph made into a postage stamp. Adults $8; Seniors and students $5; Children (5 to 16) Free
WALK THROUGH HISTORY
Boston by Foot has special tours for Harborfest, including the kid-friendly:
Captain Kidd’s Treasure Hunt - Faneuil Hall, Boston
Friday, 6/29 to Wednesday, 7/4
A short self-guided tour for buccaneers of all ages. Each participant receives clues on a pirate’s treasure map leading to a trove of architectural and historical gems.
The tour is self-guided at your own pace. Simply purchase the map during one of the available times at the Sam Adams statue in front of Faneuil Hall. $10 for a group of up to 10
Johnny Tremain’s Boston - Copps Hill Burying Ground, Boston
Friday, 6/29 & Tuesday, 7/3
Relive the adventures of Johnny Tremain in Colonial Boston during a tour that’s based on Esther Forbes’ prize-winning coming-of-age novel featuring a young boy who gets caught up in the whirlwind of events that lead up to the American Revolution. On this tour, hear of Johnny’s fictional friends, like Rab and Cilla, but also of the actual patriots he met along the way, such as Dr. Joseph Warren, John Hancock, William Dawes, and Paul Revere. Get acquainted with the bustling and political town of Johnny’s Boston that has become the great American city of today.
Meet your guide at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the Hull Street entrance, North End, Boston. Purchase tickets for the Johnny Tremain tour directly from your guide. No reservations required. Tours begin on time and are offered rain or shine. Arrive ten minutes before start time. $10
MORE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE 4TH
We’ve included details of some of the bigger and kid-friendly Boston Harborfest, War of 1812 Bicentennial, and Boston Navy Week events in this roundup and on our calendar, but with over 200 activities going on, it’s worth checking the events schedules for these three celebrations for more ideas:
- Boston Harborfest: Complete Schedule
- War of 1812 Bicentennial: Tall Ship Viewings
- Boston Navy Week: Complete Schedule
