Boston is one of America’s most family-friendly big cities, packed with hands-on museums, harbourside fun, and enough history to make a school trip feel like an adventure. Whether you’ve got toddlers, tweens, or a mix of ages to keep happy, there’s plenty here to fill a few days without ever hearing “I’m bored.”
Below are our 10 favourite things to do in Boston with kids, covering everything from marine life to major league baseball.
In this guide:
1. Boston Aquarium
2. Discovery at Boston Children’s Museum
3. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
4. Go Quackers and Explore Boston on a Duck Tour
5. Picnic in Boston’s Beautiful Parks
6. Walk the Freedom Trail
7. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Fenway Park
8. Explore Boston Art
9. Get a Big View of the City
10. Experiment at the Museum of Science
If you’re visiting in summer, you’re only a few hours’ drive from the beaches of Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard. In winter, head for the mountains of Vermont for some family skiing. And if you’re spending a few days in the city itself, it’s worth looking into a multi-attraction sightseeing pass, which can bundle discounted entry to places like the Children’s Museum and the New England Aquarium, sometimes with fast-track admission too.
Here’s your city adventure, entry by entry.
1. Boston Aquarium
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Right on the waterfront, the New England Aquarium is educational, entertaining, and genuinely exciting for kids. Even before you get inside, you can often spot the seals playing in their outdoor enclosure while you queue.
Inside, the penguins are a firm favourite, but the real showstopper is the giant cylindrical tank in the centre of the building — four storeys tall, with a walkway spiralling around it so you can view reef animals, sea turtles, stingrays, eels and fish from every angle.
Walk-up tickets can be limited, so it’s worth booking online in advance of your visit.
2. Discovery at Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum is one of the leading children’s museums in the world, with hands-on exhibits covering science, space, construction, culture and art — all delivered in the most playful way possible. It works brilliantly for a wide age range, from toddlers to older kids.
Opening days and admission timeslots can vary, and online reservations are sometimes required, so check the museum’s website for current hours before you visit.
3. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
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Faneuil Hall (pronounced “fan-yule”) and Quincy Market together make a lively, easy stop with kids. There’s shopping, street performers, occasional live music, and plenty to browse. Keep an eye out for the magic and novelty shops tucked into the market for a fun browse with older kids.
There are also plenty of family-friendly places to eat here, from casual noodle bars to classic New England seafood and chowder (“chow-dah,” if you want to say it like a local).
4. Go Quackers and Explore Boston on a Duck Tour
The Boston Duck Tour is a brilliant way to get your bearings in the city, and kids tend to love it from start to finish. The amphibious vehicles look like something between a tank and a bus, and they drive straight off the road and into the Charles River, giving you a completely different view of the skyline.
Tours are informative but kept light and funny, and kids are actively encouraged to “quack” at passers-by from the vehicle — a small detail that goes down surprisingly well with younger children.
5. Picnic in Boston’s Beautiful Parks
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Boston has some genuinely lovely green spaces, perfect for an impromptu family picnic between sightseeing stops. Boston Common is the country’s oldest public park, and a traditional carousel operates there in the warmer months. The Boston Esplanade and Rose Kennedy Greenway are also great choices for a breather with kids.
Pick up picnic supplies from one of Boston’s food markets or bakeries, or grab something from one of the seasonal outdoor markets that pop up along the Greenway and other green spaces around the city.
6. Walk the Freedom Trail
“Boston by Little Feet” is a walking tour designed specifically for children aged 6 to 12, following Boston’s famous Freedom Trail. Each child gets an Explorers’ Map to follow as they go, learning about the city’s role in American independence through stories and landmarks along the way.
It’s best to book online ahead of time. Tours typically meet in front of Faneuil Hall at the Samuel Adams statue.
7. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Fenway Park
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Sports-mad kids will love a visit to this historic ballpark. Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is often called “America’s most beloved ballpark,” and it’s easy to see why once you’re inside.
A tour of the park is worthwhile even if you can’t catch a game, though seeing a live match is the true classic Boston experience if your visit lines up. Bag policies can be strict for tours and games, so it’s worth checking what you’re allowed to bring in before you go.
8. Explore Boston Art
Boston’s galleries and museums do a genuinely good job of welcoming families, not just tolerating them.
ICA Boston
ICA Boston is a contemporary art gallery that’s easy to navigate with a stroller, with baby-changing facilities available. The gallery runs family-friendly Play Dates on a regular basis, combining art-making, performances and films aimed at kids. It’s worth checking their current schedule and any family admission offers before you go, as these can change.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum also welcomes families, with drop-in art activities in the Bertucci Education Studio and strollers permitted throughout. Free family guides are usually available at the information desk to help you explore the museum together, along with sketching materials near the Courtyard. Check current admission policies for children when booking.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
The MFA, as it’s known locally, runs plenty of exhibitions and family-focused activities to keep kids engaged, including self-guided activity cards designed to help children explore the collection. Strollers are permitted in the galleries. It’s worth checking the MFA’s family visit page for current admission details and family offerings before you go.
9. Get a Big View of the City
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The Prudential Observatory sits on the 50th floor of the Prudential Center, giving you a 360-degree view of Boston roughly 750 feet up. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the city and beyond, taking in Boston’s famous landmarks from above.
An audio guide is typically included, walking you through the sights below along with some of the city’s history — a nice, low-effort activity if little legs need a rest from walking.
10. Experiment at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science is a genuine highlight for kids and adults alike. There’s enough here to fill a whole day, with hands-on exhibits covering everything from electricity to space. The live Electricity Show and the 4D Theatre are particular crowd-pleasers.
The Butterfly Garden and planetarium shows are also worth building into your visit, and there’s a playground just across the street if the kids still have energy to burn afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best age range for these Boston activities?
Most of these attractions work well for a wide range of ages, from toddlers to teens. The Children’s Museum and Boston Common carousel suit younger kids especially well, while the Freedom Trail tour, Duck Tours and Fenway Park tend to land best with kids aged six and up.
How many days do we need to see the highlights with kids?
Three to four days gives you a comfortable pace to cover most of this list without rushing, including a proper half-day each for the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium.
Is Boston walkable with children?
Yes, central Boston is compact and stroller-friendly in most areas, and many of the attractions on this list are within walking distance of each other, particularly around the waterfront, Faneuil Hall and Boston Common.
Do we need to book tickets in advance?
For popular attractions like the Aquarium, Children’s Museum, Fenway Park tours and the Freedom Trail walking tour, booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially during busy summer months.
What should we do if the weather turns bad?
Boston has excellent indoor options for a rainy day, including the Children’s Museum, the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and any of the art museums covered above.
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Before You Go
Not ready to plan the whole trip yet? Save this list for later and come back to it when you’re ready to book — Boston isn’t going anywhere, and neither is this guide.
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