Holiday magic means it's time for the best things to do in Boston for December 2024! Taunton Christmas Lights photo by Samina Quareshi for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

15 Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Boston Kids

Make the season bright with best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Boston! Naumkeag Winterlights photo by Stephanie Zollshan Photography, courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Boston 2025

Free Christmas fun is coming to town, with these free 2025 holiday events in Boston! Photo courtesy of Enchanted Village Jordan's Furniture

Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Boston for Kids 2025

From stage shows to magical experiences, book these Boston Christmas events before it's too late! Twas the Night Before photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Boston Must Do Christmas Events To Book Now Before They Sell Out

All around Boston, the best neighborhood Christmas light displays are making the season bright! Illuminations Tour in Somerville photo by Andrew Malone via Flickr 2.0

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Boston 2025

There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex

25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens

From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty

100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids

Get active and have fun as a family at the top spots for indoor golf in Boston!

Best Indoor Golf in Boston: Indoor Golfing Fun for Kids and Families

Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground

Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston

Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park

Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids

Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall

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This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway

Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website

100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up

Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.

Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families

Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza

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Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids

15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)

Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!

These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston

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Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide

100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids

Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day

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Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide

Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!

25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids

10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston

Perfect for a day trip from Boston, Cape Ann has miles of beaches, great food, and plenty of family fun. Good Harbor Beach photo by Bex Walton via Flickr 2.0

Things To Do on Cape Ann: Day Trips from Boston to Gloucester and More

Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.

25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids

The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service

Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston

Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids

Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels

30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving

Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their

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Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities

New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp

New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug

No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.

15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier

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Games & Activities Guide for Kids

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Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families

A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.

Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids

Nantucket's Daffodil Festival is one of many spring celebrations around Massachusetts.

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Spring Break Ideas Guide for Boston Kids and Families

Things are getting merrier and brighter for kids in Boston this weekend! Night Lights: Dazzling Gardens at New England Botanic Garden by Troy B. Thompson Photography

Holiday Sing-Alongs, Menorah Lightings, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids

Boston New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

New Year's Eve in Boston brings some magical and fun celebrations for kids, in the day and at night. Copley Square Ice sculpture photo by Bob P.B. via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

12/22/24 - By N Ferreira

Boston knows how to ring in the New Year with families in mind—and no one has to yawn their way to midnight to join the fun. From daytime celebrations and early countdowns to beloved First Night traditions and glowing winter light displays, there are plenty of things to do with kids on New Year’s Eve that feel festive and bedtime-friendly. Whether your crew is craving hands-on museum fun, outdoor winter magic, or cozy celebrations at home in pajamas, this guide rounds up the best New Year’s Eve events for families in Boston to help everyone welcome 2026 with smiles, not sleepy meltdowns.

What Are the Best Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in Boston?

Midnight fireworks aren’t for every family—and we totally get that. The city shines with daytime New Year’s Eve events, early countdowns, and flexible celebrations designed for younger kids. Think noon ball drops, afternoon performances, winter strolls, and twinkly light displays that wrap up well before bedtime. These kid-friendly New Year’s Eve Boston options let families celebrate in ways that fit nap schedules, dinner plans, and winter weather moods—so everyone can start the new year feeling festive, happy, and well-rested.