All is merry and bright in Boston this weekend! Winterfest photo by Paige Harding for the event.
Holiday Pops, Craft Fairs, and More Fun Things To Do in Boston This Weekend
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
GUIDE
Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Boston Kids
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
17 Best Things To Do in Boston December 2024 with Kids
Concord's Colonial Inn is one of Greater Boston's coziest restaurants open on Christmas 2024. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Boston
The fun is popping out from everywhere with these top attractions and kid-friendly things to do in Boston! Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum photo by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Boston That Are Kid-Friendly
Things are lighting up with these must-do Christmas events around Boston! Festival of Illumination at the Southwick Zoo. Photo by Heart Lover 1717/ Flickr 2.0
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Boston for Kids
Fun things to do in Boston with teens include seeing priceless works of art at Boston's museums. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
Jump into fun with the top indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Family Travel Guide
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
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
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
New England Family Travel Guide
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
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
Playing in fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and fun things to do with kids in Boston in the autumn
GUIDE
Boston Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
GUIDE
Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
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
Pizza and bowling are up everyone's alley in Somerville and Salem. Photo courtesy of Flatbread Pizza Salem/Facebook
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
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
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
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
GUIDE
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
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Crafts & Games Guide: 100s of Activities for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Online and Virtual Family Fun
GUIDE
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

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Illumination, Sandcastles, and Donuts

Circus Smirkus. Photo courtesy of the circus
Circus Smirkus. Photo courtesy of the circus
7/24/19 - By Lucie T

This weekend has some of MP's favorite fests happening all over the Boston area that families will not want to miss. Kids can marvel at sandcastle masterpieces before heading in town for this annual collaborative and interactive art fest. Light up the night at not one but two events dedicated to illumination. Go a little north to catch this popular family friendly festival that celebrates cultures from around the world. There is even a new festival dedicated entirely to everyone's favorite breakfast treat!

The fun doesn't end there: This fantastic, kids-only circus returns to Boston, and there's family-friendly opera and Shakespeare happening, too. Enjoy the weekend, both outdoors and in!

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Need more family fun ideas? Check out our full events calendar, like our Facebook page, and sign up for our (free!) newsletter.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Figment Boston. Photo courtesy of the Figment
Figment Boston. Photo courtesy of the Figment

All Weekend

Circus Smirkus

Waltham
Circus Smirkus is Vermont’s own award-winning international youth circus that promotes the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus, inspiring youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts. There are shows in Marshfield and Waltham at the end of July. READ MORE

Christmas in July at the Zoo

Mendon
Experience the magic of the holiday season during the summertime. The zoo is decorated, and guests can enjoy holiday-themed entertainment and food. Santa even makes an appearance! READ MORE

Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival

Revere
The largest Sand Sculpting Festival on the East Coast is back for the 20th year. The festival features include an interactive Kid’s Zone & Learning Center, a beach-side food pavilion and a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night. READ MORE

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell
The Lowell Folk Festival brings together sounds from all across the world, showcasing West African, Irish, Quebecois, Dominican, Portuguese, Greek and many more types of music. READ MORE
The Bubble Guy provides some super bubbly family fun at the Harbor Illumination.
The Bubble Guy provides some super bubbly family fun at the Harbor Illumination.

Saturday

Harbor Illumination

Hull
At this spectacular event they light the harbor with more than one thousand flares, celebrating Hull's maritime heritage. READ MORE

Quincy Environmental Fair

Quincy
At this free outdoor environmental fair on the front lawn of the Thomas Crane Public Library, there will be fun green activities for all ages, live local entertainment, electric vehicle ride-alongs, and a free bike valet. Rain date: Saturday, August 3, 11am-2pm READ MORE

Rosalita's Puppets

Boston
Rosalita's Puppets will charm children and adults alike with new productions each week. All performances will take place at 10:30 am on South Market Street (outside Wagamama). Rosalita's Puppets will move inside to the Rotunda in case of rain. READ MORE

Urbanity Trial Class Day

Boston
Prospective students interested in trying a new style of dance are welcome and encouraged to attend this Trial Class Day where students can explore a range of styles including Urbanity’s Baby Groove, Kids Groove, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, Modern, and Ballet classes. READ MORE
Family Fun Day is enjoyed in the shade at the Daniel Webster Estate. Photo courtesy of the estate
Family Fun Day is enjoyed in the shade at the Daniel Webster Estate. Photo courtesy of the estate

Sunday

Boston Donut Fest

Boston
Boston Donut Fest features favorite New England Donut Shops, iced coffee, food and ice cream trucks, DJs and live music, kids games, sample vendors, swag giveaways, and more. READ MORE

Family-Friendly Opera

Cambridge
The Boston Lyric Opera Company will perform a family-friendly rendition of The Barber of Seville. Will Rosina escape the clutches of her guardian and marry the man she loves? Come see this abridged version of the classic opera. The opera will be followed by a selection of arias and opera favorites. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at the Daniel Webster Estate

Marshfield
Visit the Daniel Webster Estate for a day of family fun with bouncy houses, a Touch a Truck (and boat!), an antique fire truck, pony rides, a petting zoo, music, and more. READ MORE

Summer Sundays at Harvard Semitic Museum

Cambridge
Free, fun, family activities allow visitors to explore arts from the ancient Near East. READ MORE

Summer Stock Museum Style: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Waltham
Enjoy a far-out groovy time in this beach party rendition of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The nymphs will be from the sea, the music inspired by Elvis and Motown, and the wayward wonders will emulate the likes of Frankie and Annette. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: