14 Best Outdoor Things to do with Kids in Boston: Summer 2024
When:
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00a -
Monday, Sep 30, 2024 10:00p
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00a -
Monday, Sep 30, 2024 10:00p
Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
Admission:
$Varies
Categories:
Classes, Festivals & Fairs, Good for Groups, Kid Friendly, Nature, Outside, Seasonal, Sports & Active Life
Event website:
https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/14-best-outdoor-things-to-do-with-kids-in-boston-summer-2023
Happy Summer! Now that your kiddo is done with science fairs and math tests, it’s time to celebrate the sunny weather. Warm temps mean plenty of time to play outside, and June’s the perfect month to bond with your little one. Fam-friendly Boston is our specialty, and we’ve got the perfect activities for you to check out this season.
By Kenneal Patterson
Splash it out at a public splash pad
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
What: It’s heating up in Boston, and there’s no better way to cool down than to splash around with your lil tadpoles. Let your kiddos play at the North Point Park Spray Deck (along with 11 other spray decks operated by the DCR), the Christian Science Plaza Children's Fountain, any of the seven Fountains at The Greenway, the interactive water playground area at Government Center, or the Boston Common Frog Pond Spray Pool, which is set to open in June 2024.
Enjoy a family night out
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
What: It’s fun for the kids and parents alike. Thursdays on the Lawn at the Loring Greenough House invite all families to enjoy live music, food trucks, and kids activities (plus a beer garden for the grown-ups when the kids are off playing!) Over at Cambridge Crossing, CX Summer Nights welcomes you to three installments of fam-friendly (and pet-friendly) concerts, along with local brews, food trucks, lawn games.
Wander down Newbury Street
Where: Back Bay
Cost: FREE
What: Open Newbury Streets returns this July with fun for all ages. The street is completely shut down and car-free so that pedestrians can walk around freely! It’s a fun and safer way for kiddos to explore the city.
Take a trip to Cider Hill Farm
Where: Amesbury, MA
Cost: FREE
What: The long drive is worth it. Take a day trip to Cider Hill Farm and explore the natural world. You can pick your own strawberries during the mid-June Strawberry Festival or attend a “buzz-worthy” celebration of birds, bats, ladybugs, and other critters at the Pollinator Festival.
Spend a day on Memorial Drive
Where: Riverbend Park, Cambridge
Cost: FREE
What: Memorial Drive Recreation Sundays are back for the season, which means the street is shut down for everyone around the city to enjoy the riverfront. Bring your kids for a fun day of roller-skating, cycling, running, or strolling.
Watch an outdoor movie
Where: Jamaica Plain
Cost: Varies
What: Three, two, one, action. Enjoy a summer series of the very best outdoor movies, from Disney favorites to classic comedies. See outdoor movies at the Loring Greenough House, Coolidge at the Speedway, and movie nights at Boston Landing.
Learn history with a walking tour
Where: Various locations
Cost: Varies
What: Are you and your kiddo a history buff? Learn the history of some of Boston’s best spots with a walking tour of Jamaica Pond, a Self-Guided Boston Graffiti and Street Art Tours, Hyde Square, or Seaport through a free trivia tour.
Ride on a swan boat
Where: Downtown
Cost: $3-4.50
What: It’s one of Boston’s most famous attractions. The Boston Public Garden Swan Boats invite people of all ages to enjoy the beauty of summer while gliding on the water.
Soak up sun at a beach
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
What: What’s summer without a beach day? Boston’s got some of the best beaches in all of New England, so make sure to lather up sunscreen, bring a beach ball for the kiddos, and take a family trip to the shore!
Visit a kid-friendly museum
Where: Cambridge
Cost: $10-15
What: Okay, sure, this one is inside. But the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Discovery Museum in Acton, and the Museum of Science all have entire worlds hidden behind their doors. Explore sea creatures, cool rocks, ancient peoples, and more. Plus, check out a cool art display in Wellesley (better known as Ribbit the Exhibit) and introduce your kids to sculpture art with 18 frog-tastic copper statues.
*Pro tip: Get free tickets if you sign up for a local library card.
Party at an outdoor festival
Where: Brookline
Cost: FREE
What: Enjoy a celebration for the whole family. The three-day Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is a sight to behold, and you and your kids will both be awed by the sandy creations. Plus, grab a slice at the Boston Pizza Festival (extra cheese, please!).
Learn to skate
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
What: Tony Hawk who? Bring your kids to skateboard lessons in Boston this summer and learn the coolest tricks in the city. On June 21, or Go Skateboarding Day 2024, GOSKATE hosts free lessons at multiple public skateparks. If you miss the event, you can take a lesson at any time.
Dance and sing at an outdoor concert
Where: Various locations
Cost: Varies
What: Outdoor music? Say less. There’s no better way to shape a youngster’s mind than to introduce them to the best tunes.Check out Seaport Smalls for a rotating selection of free children’s programming for ages 0-8 years old, all hosted outdoors. Bonus, check out Punk Rock Aerobics for Kidz at Play Union (not outdoors).
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Photo by @cityofboston
