Summer is short, but the days can often feel endless. Although there are plenty of free and easy things to do in and around Boston, a day trip to a cool locale in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, or Rhode Island can often be the perfect diversion to break up a long week, with minimal time (and financial) commitment. Here are 25, fun-packed towns Boston families can reach in under two hours from city limits—and return home in the evening to their own beds.

When you're not attending a graduation or crafting keepsakes or special treats for dad, we know you want the lowdown on the best things to do with your kids this month. June brings the start of summer and school vacation, which makes it the perfect time of year to get active, get outdoors, and explore nature. It's also a great time to introduce your kids to Boston's rich cultural scene, with festivals and performances filling our events calendar throughout the month. Don't forget to bookmark our summer fun guide for even more ideas for making the most of the sunshine and extra free time for family.

April is jam-packed full of fun ways to soak up springtime...and as always, our Boston GoList features a carefully curated roundup of the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month. Sheepshearing, stargazing, Easter egg hunts, and Patriots Day parades are just some of the awesome events on tap for April. And with warmer weather on its way, it's a good time to bookmark our spring fun guide, too.