Whether your kids are skating first-timers or hockey players, gliding on one of the best outdoor ice skating rinks in Boston can be a fun excursion. It's also an affordable way for families to get fresh air and exercise in the wintertime. It's pretty thrilling to glide along the ice and look at the city and park scenery. Read on for our guide to the best outdoor ice skating rinks in Boston and the surrounding communities. Our list includes the beloved Boston Common Frog Pond, the Canal District Kendall Square ice rink, and Patriot Place – all of which are open this winter!

While these fresh-air rinks have a special charm, many of these free indoor skating facilities around Boston are open this winter for public skating and lessons, too. If your kids enjoy a slope as much (or more than) a rink, check out these Northeast ski mountains.

The city's restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2023 in Boston make for a wonderful holiday. Thanksgiving is all about food and family, two of our favorite things. And while we love cooking a big meal, we also love when someone else does it for us … especially the clean-up! Going out to eat on Thanksgiving is actually pretty traditional for city families, and we're seeing this trend reach into the suburbs. With a little help from some of Boston’s best restaurants, you can have a holiday that’s delicious, relaxing, and memorable. 

We rounded up our favorite restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Boston. These local spots are serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal or something a little more innovative. We also have those that are offering Thanksgiving takeout. If you do any cooking, see our First Thanksgiving Recipes That Kids Can Help Prepare. For holiday fun wherever you go, check out 25 Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids They'll Gobble Up.

The Polar Express is coming, so all aboard for classic Christmas trains in New England! Seasonal trains are boarding and heading off on the track where kids drink hot chocolate (and eat cookies), sing songs, and see Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Holiday trains in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are already selling tickets (and selling out!) for special seasonal rides. These Christmas trains are a great way to kick-off your holiday season. 

Bookmark our our events calendars in Boston and Connecticut to stay updated on family holiday events during the 2023 holiday season and keeping check our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to make the most of your holiday calendar.   

Ask a family about the best neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in Boston, and it's likely to be their own neighborhood. It's always fun to see familiar houses lit up with spooky decorations. It's also a spooky treat to see the sweet neighbor from down the street answer the door with a witch's hat and a cackle. But sometimes, kids—and adventurous parents—are looking for an exciting alternative to their usual Halloween candy route. In that case, you might consider bringing your loot bags to trick-or-treat in one of the following Boston-area neighborhoods, where residents really take Halloween festivities to the next level. We've scoped out the best neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in Boston. Read on and happy Halloween!

If you're looking for a trunk-or-treat, don't miss our round-up of trunk-or-treating events. And what about spooky fun before the big day, like a haunted walk? Some of this year's best kids Halloween events start weeks ahead.

There are so many fun things to do in Salem, MA with kids throughout the year. Costumes are always on in Salem, but the city truly becomes Halloween Town through October. While Halloween has historically been packed with revelers, Witch City is always a great destination for an easy day trip or weekend getaway because there's always things to do in Salem. Take the ferry from Boston to learn the history of the Salem Witch Trials, experience everything from the magical to the macabre anytime of year, and explore family-friendly, hands-on exhibitions at the world-class Peabody Essex Museum. It's easy to promise families year-round fun in this historic walkable town with our list of the top things to do in Salem with kids. 

For more fun things to do this October, we've rounded up the best kids Halloween events near Boston and loaded up our Halloween Guide with the best of spooky season.