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There are so many fun things to do in Boston with kids – that won’t cost a fortune! Taking a vacation with the family is an exciting, but stressful trip to plan. Making sure everyone is having fun and being entertained yourself can be a challenge.
Did I mention you also need to ensure you’re meeting all of your family’s needs on a budget? It’s time to pack up and head to the one perfect place for this: Boston.
The purpose of this guide is to help you find the best cheap or free fun things to do with kids in Boston. With fun activities and attractions to suit all ages, you will soon have the perfect Boston itinerary planned in no time.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON WITH KIDS (FOR FREE OR CHEAP)
You can easily walk around this city and find a new adventure waiting for you around every corner. There are different museums, scenery, zoos, parks and more for you and your family to explore.
Here are some different kids activities you and your whole family can enjoy while spending a few days in Boston.
Learn Something New
Who said learning can’t be fun? You can take your kids to different areas within the city to learn exciting new discoveries.
Head to the Boston Children’s Museum to find one of the biggest children’s museums in the world. You’ll experience several different activities like race cars and interactive exhibits.
There is also a playspace and three-story maze for your kids to have a ball on and enjoy themselves. Head into the museum on Friday between 5 pm and 9 pm to only pay one dollar entry.
The learning doesn’t have to stop there. The Boston Museum of Science is also an educational museum you and the family won’t want to miss visiting.
If your kids are huge science buffs, this is the perfect spot to learn more about all kinds of scientific discoveries and inventions.
Once you’ve had your fill on science, check out the Boston Public Library where you’ll find several selections of library books for both you and the kids to enjoy.
There is a special children’s library inside that you can visit to find various children’s books. You may even get a chance to engage in their storytime hour being offered throughout the day.
Visit the Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum. This interactive museum brings the Boston Tea Party to life, with educational exhibits and reenactments. Kids can learn about the events that led up to the tea party and see what life was like in colonial Boston.
Check Out Gorgeous Scenery & Greenery
Once you’ve filled your minds with knowledge, take a nature break. Head out to the Boston Common to show your children how beautiful plants and flowers can bloom. Boston Common is the oldest public garden in the country and a great place to take a break from sightseeing.
As an added bonus, if you visit in the summertime you’ll find the Frog Pond has been transformed into a spray park for children to run through water and sprinklers.
If you visit in the wintertime, you’ll find an ice rink in place of the pond. This is one of the best things to do in Boston in the winter.
If you are craving more of the beautiful sights, head over to the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Here, you’ll find more gorgeous scenery where a highway used to be located. As you stroll along, your kids will find a carousel to play on. As they play, you can gaze at the gorgeous flowers and trees all along the park grounds.
Discover Different Animal Species
Get ready for a wild time with the family. If your children are interested in learning more about different animals and their habitats, visit the popular Franklin Park Zoo.
The children’s zoo is interactive and there are several different opportunities for you to learn all kinds of facts about animals, big and small. They also have a giant playground for your kids to play on.
Take the adventure underwater as you dive on over to the New England Aquarium.
You’ll find many different creatures here like penguins, sea turtles and sharks! You and your kids will have the chance to feed some of the animals, see live presentations and more.
>Get your Aquarium tickets online & skip the queue
Go whale watching
Whale-watching tours leave from Boston Harbor, and kids will love getting a chance to see these majestic creatures up close.
Get Some Play Time In
Remember when you were younger and maybe had a giant lego collection you loved to play with? Or maybe you have a lego collection now that you still use.
Either way, you and your kids will love taking a look at the many fascinating lego shapes at the Boston Legoland Discovery Center. Who doesn’t love LEGO?
Afterwards, head over to one or two of several Boston playgrounds to release some energy.
This is one of the best free things to do in Boston. You will find all kinds of unique playgrounds in Boston, in parks like The Esplanade, Christopher Columbus Park and Paul Revere Park.
No matter where in the world, kids love to play so a visit to the playgrounds will likely be one of the most fun things to do in Boston with kids during your visit – completely for free!
Take a break from all the morning and afternoon fun by cooling down with some ice cream. Walk to JP Licks for some refreshing homemade ice cream.
They switch up their menu constantly, so you’ll be sure to find a new flavour you’ll like every time you visit.
Stroll along the Boston Harborwalk
Enjoy scenic views of the waterfront, public art installations, and parks along the Harborwalk. Let your kids burn off energy at the playgrounds and splash pads.
Attend the Boston Public Market
Explore this indoor market filled with local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal goods, and tasty treats. Take advantage of free samples and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Exploring Boston With Kids
Family vacation can’t get more fun than this. Boston is the perfect place to get a good amount of walking and exercise in. It’s easy to walk everywhere in this city as you travel to different playgrounds, parks, zoos and more.
Keep an eye out for free concerts and family-friendly festivals happening throughout the city, especially during the summer months.
From live music to cultural celebrations, there’s always something happening in Boston.
Your children will love all the activities they can engage in as there are so many things to do in Boston. And you’ll love seeing how much fun they’re having while you also have an exciting time yourself.
Visit Fenway Park – Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is a historic ballpark that offers tours and hosts events throughout the year. Kids can learn about the history of the park and the team, and see some of the iconic features up close.
Explore along The Freedom Trail – A 2.5-mile walking trail that passes by 16 historically significant sites, the Freedom Trail is a great way to learn about Boston’s role in the American Revolution.
Kids will love following the red line through the city and seeing where important events took place.
Where To Stay In Boston
There is a huge range of accommodation options in and around Boston to suit every budget. We have listed some highly rated recommendations below. Alternatively, you may wish to stay in a private holiday rental.
Boston Accommodation For Families:
- Budget Hotel – Hi Boston
- Mid Range Hotel – The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- Luxury Hotel – Mandarin Oriental Boston
How To Save Money On Boston Attractions
With so many fun Boston attractions for families, you will want to do as many as you can… without breaking the bank!
A GO City Boston Card is the perfect way to cut your costs and still see and do all the things you want to when visiting Boston with kids.
The card gives you entry into over 40 attractions and sightseeing locations around Boston, saving you up to 55% off the full-price admissions.
You also get discounts on selected dining and shopping locations around Boston too, helping you to save even more during your Boston family holiday.
The GO City Boston Card is available for 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days, so you can choose the right card to suit the length of your stay. This means no need to rush through everything on day one if you want to spend a few days in Boston.
Some of the great attractions included are the Hop on Hop off bus Tour, New England Aquarium, Fenway Park tour, Museum of Science and so many more!
This is a great way to experience even more of the fun things to do with kids in Boston, without blowing your budget!
We hope these cheap things to do in Boston with kids help you plan some fun family time together!
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FIND MORE MONEY SAVING FAMILY TRAVEL TIPS.
Author bio: Stacey from Boston Central is focused on sharing family-friendly events and activities in the Greater Boston area, to help families make the most of their time in the city, whether they are local or visiting from elsewhere in the world.
