Springfield always surprises me with its rich culture, history, and capacity for family fun. It is a city of firsts, and learning about its past may inspire your child to become a pioneer of the future. There is much to do in Greater Springfield, from riding roller coasters to enjoying a peaceful meeting with an alpaca. It’s just the right distance for a short getaway from Boston. Read on for 25 fun family activities to do while you’re there, whether it’s for a day or two, or more.

The Heckscher Museum of Art is well worth a visit. The atmosphere is family-friendly, children's guides are provided, and a table is set up for hands-on art, inspired by a current work of art on display. While the museum is small and manageable for small children, its collections are huge, meaning you may want to come back again and again as the curators rotate their displays. Its location is also ideal for families as well, situated in Heckscher Park, with its wildlife, ponds and playgrounds, you could certainly make a day out of an outing here. 

I wasn't sure what to expect before our visit to Europa Park, a large theme park in the middle of Europe that rivals EuroDisney. Would it be cheesy? Would it live up to the big American parks we are used to, like Universal and Disney? Would there be any European-ness to it that would make it a valuable cultural spot as well as entertainment for my kids?

Get messy, get creative and have a great time learning about art at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill. This charming small museum features first-class ever-changing exhibits of fine American art from the 19th century to the present, with particular focus on the artists of the East End. This is an art museum, not a children’s museum, and while the whimsical sculptures currently on display in the sculpture garden invite play, they most definitely cannot be climbed on. But while running in the galleries and touching the art is definitely forbidden, the museum offers a really marvelous and extensive program of art workshops, camps, tours, and performances aimed at teaching children and their families how to appreciate fine art and how to create art for themselves. Many of these programs are completely free, although advanced registration may be required. 

Letter-what? 

Letterboxing  n. a type of treasure hunt, in which a box, known as a letterbox is hidden in a remote rural location and clues are provided as to its whereabouts.*

Treasure hunt.  Clues.  Free.  Need I say more?  And forget the gadgets of geocaching.  This is antique -- something straight off the activity roster of some rustic sleepover camp in northern New Hampshire. All you'll need for this adventure is your signature rubber stamp and an ink pad.