Boston offers fun activities for children of all ages throughout all four seasons, and some of them also provide an opportunity to get some healthy exercise. Summer brings the chance to ride boats or catch a glimpse of sea life. Winter is the time to ice skate in a historic park. Any time of year, families can explore Boston's world-class museums and learn about art, science and nature.
Boston by Boat
Boston Harbor Cruises specializes in tours of the harbor, lighthouse cruises, weekend brunch cruises and trips to Provincetown on Cape Cod. Probably the most popular cruise, however, is the three-hour whale watch. The whole family will have a good time learning about the giant mammals from the on-board professional researchers from the Whale Center of New England. High-speed catamarans travel the waters in search of whales, but dolphins are often spotted as well.
Science Museum
Adults and children can learn something new and be entertained at the Museum of Science. Interactive exhibits teach about natural resources, space, animals and technology. Many exhibits teach families about health and nutrition with displays like dynamic, hands-on looks inside the human body. Children have an opportunity to be a part of the daily live shows on topics like lightning and electricity. The IMAX theater, Planetarium and 3-D Digital Cinema and museum café are places to relax after exploring the large exhibit halls.
Entertainment Along the Waterfront
The Boston Waterfront reinvented itself in the early 21st century, adding new attractions and retaining old favorites. The Boston Children's Museum has meaningful, hands-on exhibits that appeal to a mix of interests such as science, environmental awareness, health and fitness and the arts. Near the museum families can catch a bite to eat at the legendary Barking Crab clam shack. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) opened its waterfront location in 2006 and is free for children and their accompanying adults on the last Saturday of the month, when special family activities are planned. Summer evenings often bring live entertainment at various locations along the waterfront.
Fish and Sea Life
The New England Aquarium is committed to protecting the planet. Children can meet penguins and turtles and see a whole host of fish varieties. Hands-on areas invite kids to pet sea urchins and sea stars and to play with seals. One of the exciting live animal presentations each day is the feeding, when members of the museum staff dive into the largest tank in their wetsuits and scuba gear to feed the marine life up close. The feedings teach children about nutrition for marine life.
Seasonal Fun in the Parks
Once the weather warms up, the Swan Boats start their season in the lagoon in Boston's Public Garden. Even the youngest children can enjoy a gentle ride on the historic boats. Children love to have their pictures taken next to the famous "Make Way for Ducklings" bronze statues, which immortalize the duck family from Robert McCloskey's Caldecott Award winning book. Adjacent to the garden is Boston Commons, which has been open to the public since 1634. Its popular Frog Pond is where kids can keep cool in the summer under the fountains, including a 70-foot spray plum. In the winter the pond is transformed into a skating rink, and kids can tie on their skates and take a twirl and then warm up with a hot chocolate from the snack stand. The Tadpole Playground has swings, slides and climbing apparatus and is a place to exercise and run around.
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