In Boston, it is easy to mix historic sites, parks and kid-friendly attractions into the same trip. You might spend a morning walking part of the Freedom Trail, glide across the lagoon in the Public Garden on a swan boat and then explore a museum designed for younger visitors. Spring brings flowers to the parks, summer fills the harbor with tour boats and ferries, fall colors the trees across the city and winter turns Boston Common into a place for skating and evening light displays. Here you’ll find family things to do in Boston for each season, as well as a few that are worth visiting any time of year.
In spring, the Boston Public Garden fills with fresh blooms, and the swan boats return to the lagoon in mid-April. Families often stop at the bronze duckling statues from the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, a tradition in the park since the 1980s. These two stops can fill part of the day before moving on to other activities.
Baseball season begins in April, and a game at the city’s ballpark is an easy afternoon outing. Family seating sections make it simpler to bring younger kids, and the pace of the day works well for first-time visitors.
The Freedom Trail links 16 historic sites along a 2.5-mile route. Some guided tours are designed for families, with shorter walking distances and stops where kids can ask questions and participate.
Summer opens up Boston’s waterfront and brings more chances to spend the day outside. A ferry ride to the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is a popular option, with beaches, hiking trails and old forts to explore. Georges Island and Spectacle Island are both family-friendly, and the ferry ride itself offers great views of the city skyline.
Whale watching tours leave from the harbor and head to feeding grounds off the Massachusetts coast. These trips often spot humpback, finback and minke whales, along with dolphins and seabirds. Naturalists on board explain what you are seeing, making it both exciting and educational.
The Boston Children’s Museum is open year-round, but its outdoor play areas are especially busy in summer. Exhibits inside focus on art, science and hands-on activities, while the outside spaces give kids room to climb and run.
Fall in Boston is a great time to be outdoors. Boston Common and the Arnold Arboretum are both popular spots for leaf peeping, where paths are lined with trees in full color. Families can take their time exploring or bring a picnic to make the most of the season.
Many pumpkin festivals take place in and around the city, and apple orchards are only a short drive away. These trips often include hayrides, corn mazes and fresh cider. They are an easy way to spend a full day together.
If the weather turns, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is a good indoor option. Kids can see dinosaur skeletons, rare gemstones and other hands-on displays. Around Halloween, a day trip to Salem adds a mix of history and seasonal fun with costumed guides and themed exhibits. In the evenings, the Ghosts & Gravestones® Trolley Tour offers a light scare and plenty of local history, making it a good choice for older kids who enjoy a little mystery.
Boston in winter can be cold, but there are plenty of activities to keep families busy. Frog Pond in Boston Common turns into a public ice skating rink with rentals available for all ages. The park is also filled with holiday lights, making it a nice place for an evening walk.
For indoor fun, the New England Aquarium is always a hit with its penguin colony, touch tanks and sea turtle exhibits. The Museum of Science also has interactive displays and seasonal exhibits that keep kids entertained while staying warm.
The Old Town Trolley Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour® is a comfortable way to see Boston’s holiday decorations from a heated seat, with stories about the city along the way. Together, these winter activities show there are many family things to do in Boston even when the temperatures drop
Boston is home to several attractions that keep families entertained no matter the season. The Museum of Science offers a mix of interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and a planetarium that makes learning about everything from dinosaurs to outer space feel exciting. Families can also watch science come to life in the museum’s live theater and special hands-on areas.
The New England Aquarium is another favorite, featuring a massive ocean tank with sharks, rays and sea turtles. Kids love watching the playful penguins and exploring touch tanks where they can get close to marine life. The Boston Children’s Museum provides colorful, creative play spaces where younger visitors can climb, build and explore through themed exhibits.
For sightseeing with a twist, Old Town Trolley Tours® let families cover more ground while enjoying live narration from friendly, knowledgeable guides. Those looking for a touch of the supernatural can join the Ghosts & Gravestones® Tour, which blends Boston’s history with eerie tales in a way that’s still family-friendly. The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum® adds a theatrical element, inviting visitors to step aboard historic ships and take part in interactive reenactments of one of America’s most famous protests.
Back Bay offers a central location and easy access to parks, the Public Garden and family-friendly dining. The Waterfront area is close to the New England Aquarium and harbor activities, while the North End offers plenty of restaurants and walkable streets. Staying in any of these neighborhoods makes it simple to reach many of the most popular family things to do in Boston.