11 Things to Do in Boston with Kids

Boston is a historic city, it was the cradle of the country's independence, it is home to important universities such as Harvard and it is also a beautiful city to visit if you go with children.

Camilla Graciano

Camilla Graciano

10 min read

11 Things to Do in Boston with Kids

Boston | ©Holly Bourne

It is the capital of the state of Massachusetts and one of the cities most chosen by tourists because it has a wide variety of activities to explore and enjoy its charm. Walking around it you can appreciate its historical places and famous Victorian buildings that give it a European style.

Far from being boring for children, Boston is an excellent option to enjoy with the family. It offers many plans for the little ones to have fun getting to know the city, learning a bit of its history and even playing games. Here is a guide to 10 things to do with kids in Boston.

1. Go see the Red Sox at the emblematic Fenway Park

At Fenway Park| ©Joe Passe
At Fenway Park| ©Joe Passe

The home stadium of the Red Sox, the baseball team of the city of Boston, is one of the most admired in the United States and a typical place you can't miss. You can take a guided tour of Fenway Park by purchasing your tickets here or get tickets to see a Red Sox baseball game by checking the calendar with the dates of the games and enjoy a unique and traditional Boston experience with your family.

Get your Red Sox tickets here

2. Learn about the latest in science at the Museum of Sciences

Museum of Sciences exterior| ©Chris Rycroft
Museum of Sciences exterior| ©Chris Rycroft

The Museum of Sciences in Boston is one of the most recommended and visited museums in the city. It has a wide variety of permanent exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to nanotechnology and other temporary ones that are renewed and show you the latest in science and technology.

It is a great place to enjoy with the family and have fun learning with the wonderful planetarium shows, live presentations and interesting 4-D movies.

Tickets for the exhibition halls will cost about 22 euros and for the different activities the prices vary between 5 and 9 euros. More information is available on the museum's official website. Also, if you have the Go Boston Cardyou will have free admission.

Another option you will find in this museum is Riverview Café, a quaint cafe where you can stop for a bite to eat while enjoying the beautiful views of the river.

Buy your Boston Go City All-Inclusive Pass

3. Visit the New England Aquarium and interact with the most popular aquatic animals

New England Aquarium| ©Beyond My Ken
New England Aquarium| ©Beyond My Ken

Adults and children alike can have a fun and interesting day at the New England Aquarium, while learning a little more about marine life. This aquarium offers a wide variety of educational and didactic activities to entertain its visitors.

Children will be amazed by all the exhibits and will be able to pet rays or sharks, starfish, crabs or sea urchins. In addition, they will explore various species, including northern fur seals, giant Pacific octopuses and African penguins.

For a complete experience, you can also enjoy a movie at the aquarium's Simons Theater, check available times and movies to plan your visit.

Please note that the aquarium is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets start at 30 euros. I recommend getting your ticket in advance so you don't have to stand in endless lines at the site and waste time.

Buy your tickets to the New England Aquarium and avoid the lines

4. Enjoy a complete walk through the Boston Common park with games included

Boston Common| ©King of Hearts
Boston Common| ©King of Hearts

Take the opportunity to visit one of the oldest parks in the United States and one of the most important in the city. It is an activity that you will love, it is ideal for the whole family and it is free!

In the heart of Boston Common you will find the Frog Pond, a small playground for children. There the little ones can enjoy riding the carousel, playing with water from the pond or practicing ice skating.

In the Boston Common you can also enjoy the Swan Boats, where you can take a ride on a swan boat pedaling through the Public Garden Lagoon, accompanied by a driver for about 15 minutes. Tickets start at 2 euros.

5. Tour the city by land and water in a very particular amphibious vehicle

Boston Ducks| ©Tony Hisgett
Boston Ducks| ©Tony Hisgett

Boston is a beautiful city to tour and learn about its history, but maybe if you go with kids, the best plan is not to walk all over the city and walk around all the historical monuments. Chances are they won't enjoy it and will end up exhausted.

That is why I recommend you to choose between the cruises and Duck Boats the sightseeing tour of the city in an amphibious vehicle with cruise on the Charles River.

It is a unique proposal , very fun and interesting so you can tour the city with children, without missing anything.

It is a land and water tour in a private vehicle. It is a kind of "boat on wheels" that is adapted to tour the historic sites of the city such as Old State House, Boston Common, Public Garden, Quincy Market, Prudential Tower and Faneuil Hall.

Then it dives to navigate the waters of the Charles River through various neighborhoods to enjoy the wonderful views of the skyline of Boston and Cambridge.

The adventure will last one hour and twenty minutes and will be led by a driver-guide who will make the ride more educational and entertaining. Tickets start at approximately 50 euros.

Book a tour of Boston by amphibious vehicle with cruise

6. Other fun and different water activities

Whale watching| ©Wouter de Bruijn
Whale watching| ©Wouter de Bruijn

Continuing with the aquatic experiences, another activity that children can enjoy is the Boston whale watching cruise. Who wouldn't be impressed to see one of these sea animals just a few meters away? The visit consists of a catamaran excursion to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. If you want to enjoy this incredible experience with your children you can include this tour in your trip by booking your tickets in advance.

And, if you are looking for a little more excitement, another water activity option that we recommend is the Codzilla speedboat ride along the coast of Boston. A very fun plan for the whole family! While different stories of the city are told, you can experience the sensations of a 'roller coaster', but in the water! And at a speed of 65km/hour. You can buy your tickets for this activity now

Buy your tickets to the New England Aquarium and avoid the lines

7. Get a taste of Boston's sporting history at The Sport Museum

Inside The Sport Museum| ©ajay_suresh
Inside The Sport Museum| ©ajay_suresh

Visits to the Boston Sport Museum are a great family-friendly experience.

It's a one-hour tour of the premium levels of the TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics. There you can learn about the various treasures of the city's sports history and its influence on the social life and evolution of Boston.

The tour is led by expert guides who will accompany the tour with valuable information and begins every half hour between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm, every day.

In addition, you will not have to worry about buying tickets in advance, as they are sold at the museum's information desk.

You will also have the option of taking a Private VIP Tour exclusively for your family or group. The difference is that it will be more extensive and will last between one and two hours, offering a more personalized service.

8. Travel through part of American history at the Uss Constitution Museum.

Uss Constitution Museum| ©MamaKitty
Uss Constitution Museum| ©MamaKitty

Visiting the USS Constitution Museum and ship is a must-do activity if you are in Boston with children.

You and your children will have fun while learning as you tour this iconic museum that brings to life the history of the ship that was never defeated in battle.

Both in the museum and on the ship, you will be able to experience first-hand part of American history in a different and more educational way. You will live unique experiences and will be able to participate in several exhibits and enjoy with your family.

To plan your visit, keep in mind that the museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. And the ship is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

In addition, it is also closed on the same days as the museum and on Jan. 15 for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

Suggested admission to the museum costs from about 4 euros and up to about 14 euros, while access to the boat is free.

9. Learn through play at Boston Children's Museum

Entering the Museum| ©philipp_anna
Entering the Museum| ©philipp_anna

The Boston Children's Museum is an excellent plan to do with the little ones and enjoy as a family.

The little ones will find plenty of activities to do, from games, lab experiments, construction and art tasks, to research activities and galleries to explore. Kids will put all their senses into action and let their imaginations run wild!

This children's museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and you can secure your spot by purchasing tickets online.

10. Experience Boston by Little Feet

On the Tour| ©Dtrain891
On the Tour| ©Dtrain891

This activity is designed for families with children and is a must-do. As I mentioned before, I don't know if the best plan for the little ones is a traditional walking tour of the city, but this option is different: you will be able to walk through Boston's historic sites, but in a fun way designed exclusively for kids.

Boston by Little Feet is a journey through 300 years of history following a fun and interactive route along Boston's Freedom Trail.

It is an ideal option to get to know, discover and explore the city with trained guides to make this an entertaining and educational experience for the little ones.

The tour will take about an hour and a half and will pass through key places of the American Revolution. It also includes the oldest cemetery in Boston and the site of the first public school in the United States.

I recommend that you bring comfortable walking shoes for easy walking, clothing that is appropriate for the weather and, most importantly, water bottles for everyone, as you will spend many hours on your feet. The whole family will love this experience!

11. Stroll through the Boston Harbor Islands

Boston Harbor Islands| ©gbeachness
Boston Harbor Islands| ©gbeachness

It's not all history in Boston, it also has incredible scenery and outdoor locations to take advantage of. Just a few minutes from downtown Boston, you'll find Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park made up of 34 unique islands and peninsulas scattered throughout the city's harbor.

The park is a great family-friendly plan for the kids to relax and learn a little about the islands. There you can explore the Civil War era, visit the oldest lighthouse in the United States, go for a hike and even spend a night camping if you want.

You can purchase your ferry tickets to and from the park at the official Boston Harbor Islands website and start planning your adventure. However, we recommend that you arrive 20 minutes early so you can board the ferry at your leisure.

You also have the option of going to Spectacle Island along five miles of trails and panoramic views of Boston Harbor or visit Georges Island to explore historic Fort Warren.

There is also Peddocks Island which is a popular wilderness destination. Even on Lovells, Grape and Bumpkin Islands you'll have some rustic camping spots.

Get access to the best discounts with this tourist card.

Go Boston Pass| ©Klook
Go Boston Pass| ©Klook

Some of the activities I mentioned above are included in the Boston City Pass. Plus, with the Boston City Pass, you'll have many more options for sightseeing and can tour the city from end to end.

Get your Boston City Pass at the best price

Where to eat in Boston with kids

Boston Pizza| ©Xiaoyin (Yin) L
Boston Pizza| ©Xiaoyin (Yin) L

Among so many excursions and activities that the city offers, you will surely want to make some stops to eat and recharge your batteries.

Here are the best options for you to enjoy a meal with your family and where you will find delicious dishes for adults and children.

  • Quincy Market: It is undoubtedly the perfect place to eat in Boston as it has multiple options for all members of the family. It is a market full of stalls with a lot of gastronomic diversity, one better than the other!
  • Boston Public Market: If you want to get away from the crowds of people that will surely be at Quincy Market, this is the ideal option for you. It is the same style, you have several food stalls to choose what you want, but quieter and less crowded.
  • The Friendly Toast: This is a great option to enjoy typical American food with the family. The dishes are plentiful and varied and it is located in the center of the city.
  • Mike's Pastry: The best cannoli in Boston are here and you have to try them! Plus, the kids will love it. You'll only have to face one big problem when you have to choose from the wide variety of flavors that the place offers.
  • Union Oyster House: This is a historic and traditional place in Boston and the oldest in the United States, since it started serving food in 1826. I tell you a curiosity of this mythical restaurant: inside the place is marked the place where former President John F. Kennedy used to sit.
  • Subway Donut Tour in Boston: In this tour, which is sure to delight the little ones, you can discover on foot the most emblematic places of the city that are the cradle of some of the best donuts in the United States. In addition, you will visit the most famous donut stores in the area and, of course, try them! You can get your tickets for the tour here

Boston is an ideal city for you to visit and tour with children, with a wide variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. They are sure to enjoy each of the plans learning and getting to know the most interesting facts about the history of the city and the country, and of course, at the same time discovering its wonderful scenery.