Outdoor Winter Activities Near Boston

1. Snowshoe at the Boston Nature Center

Families can borrow snowshoes and explore peaceful winter trails right in the city.

2. Go sledding at Larz Anderson Park

This Brookline hill is a classic local favorite with perfect slopes for all ages.

3. Ice Skate at Frog Pond

Boston Common’s iconic rink offers a festive skating experience with skyline views.

Enjoy snow tubing near Boston, one of the top winter activities. Photo courtesy of Nashoba Valley

4. Go Snow Tubing at Nashoba Valley

Nashoba Valley's high-speed tubing lanes make for an easy, no-skill-needed winter thrill!

5. Hike the Middlesex Fells

Bundle up and wander wooded trails that feel miles away from the city.

6. Spot Wildlife at the Mass Audobon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Naturalists lead kids in spotting tracks and cold-weather critters.

7. Explore the Winter Trails at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport

Kids love watching the waves crash against the granite cliffs, and the quarry looks especially dramatic in winter.

8. Take a Stroll To Find Bald Eagles

Head to the Neponset River Greenway for a Bald Eagle Walk along the Neponset River.

9. Stroll around Jamaica Pond

Walk a peaceful loop with gorgeous frosty views on calm days.

10. Spot a Winter Visitor

Hike North Shore beaches in search of the wisest of birds on a guided Family Snowy Owl Prowl. 

Seasonal Winter Events in Boston

11. Visit the Museum of Science for the All Aboard! Trains at Science Park exhibit

The All Aboard! Trains at Science Park exhibit features miniature trains running through snowy landscapes, interactive train‑design areas, and a wintery model of Boston landmarks.

12. Try outdoor curling at Snowport

Kids can try the rock-sliding basics at this fun, free Seaport setup.

13. Head to Mill City for Winterfest

Lowell Winterfest offers families a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and performances.

14. Check out a Kid-Friendly Film Festival 

Catch some of the world's most charming and clever movies for kids ages 3 to 12 at a hybrid edition of the annual (and locally produced) annual Belmont World Film's Family Festival.

15. Twirl in an Ice Castle

Pretend to be Elsa and visit a real ice castle opening January 22, just over the border in New Hampshire. 

See some amazing sights around New England this winter. Photo courtesy of Ice Castles

16. Track Winter Birds

Join your neighbors and share your backyard birding sightings with the Great Backyard Bird Count (beginning mid-February). 

17. Ring in Japanese New Year

Head up to Somerville for a festive Japanese New Year Celebration at Bow Market.

18. Honor an Icon

Every January, Faneuil Hall hosts the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, with an inspirational tribute to an American hero.

19. Visit WinterFEST Newton

For three days, Newton celebrates the season with ice sculpting, live performances, crafts, and more family fun.

Winter in Boston - Indoor Fun Centers and Museum Days

20. Explore Snowmazing! Polar Playground at Boston Children’s Museum

This beloved event returns this year with sock skating, igloo forts, and the stunning Crystalline Entities art installation inspired by the Northern Lights. Kids can also cozy up in the Winter Book Nook or enjoy drop-in winter-themed programs and character meet & greets throughout the season.

 
Warm up in the greenhouse and take in all the lush greenery. Photo courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden

21. Catch Warm Vibes Visiting a Conservatory

Check out Tower Hill Botanic Garden's spectacular 171-acres of outdoor gardens and lush indoor conservatories. They are accessible with advanced ticketing. Check the calendar for fun events.

22. Spend a few hours at the Boston Fire Museum 

Open to the public every Saturday, this free museum offers interactive exhibits allowing kids to learn about fire safety in a hands-on way.

23. Explore the New England Aquarium

Kids can get up close with penguins, touch tanks, and colorful marine life while staying warm inside the large, engaging indoor exhibits.

24. Climb the indoor ropes course at Jordan’s Furniture Reading

Kids can climb, swing, and navigate fun indoor ropes and obstacle challenges designed to build confidence and burn energy on chilly winter days.

25. Play at the Discovery Museum in Acton

STEAM-rich exhibits and imaginative spaces make it ideal for young learners, plus special inclusive afternoons offer a sensory-friendly option.

26. See a show at the Puppet Showplace Theater

At this Brookline theater, high-quality puppet performances engage even the youngest audiences.

27. Tour the USS Constitution Museum

Hands-on exhibits teach kids what life was like for sailors aboard "Old Ironsides."

28. Explore the Harvard Museum of Natural History

At this Cambridge museum, kids can explore dinosaur and prehistoric fossils along with gleaming gemstones and interactive nature exhibits.

29. Visit the MIT Museum

Young innovators can explore hands-on robotics, holograms, and interactive engineering exhibits that make science and technology exciting and fun.
 
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is a great spot on a cold winter day! Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts

30. Explore art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Kids can explore colorful art from around the world, try hands-on family art activities, and wander through exhibits that make history, culture, and creativity come alive.

Creative, Hands-On & Learning Activities

31. Make pottery at Clayroom Brookline

Kids can paint and personalize their own mugs, bowls, and figures.

32. Cook up fun at Taste Buds Kitchen

With three locations in MA, this spot allows kids to roll up their sleeves in fun, hands-on cooking classes, making tasty recipes while learning real culinary skills.

33. Build something cool at LEGO Discovery Center Boston

Kids can build and play with thousands of LEGO bricks and let their imaginations run wild in hands-on, indoor adventures perfect for chilly winter days.

34. Take a family art workshop at the MFA

Special weekend programs let toddlers, older kids, and teens create art under the guidance of professional artists.

35. Try a glass fusing class at The Glass Bar in Needham

Kids can create colorful glass art in hands-on, instructor-led classes, making bowls, ornaments, and fun projects at this Needham studio.

36. Attend a STEM lab session at Einstein’s Workshop in Burlington

Kids can experiment with hands-on STEAM projects like building simple machines, coding games, and engineering gadgets, all in an interactive space that makes learning science feel like play.

37. Visit Plimoth Patuxet Museums for winter programs

Kids can step back in time in Plymouth to explore 17th-century Pilgrim and Wampanoag life through hands-on activities, historic homes, and interactive programs that bring history to life, even in the winter months.

38. Enjoy Winter Storytime at the Boston Public Library

Younger kids can enjoy stories, songs ,crafts, and interactive reading activities in a warm, welcoming space that sparks curiosity and imagination.

39. Take a family music class at Jammin’ With You 

Take a trip to Wellesley so your kids can get the wiggles out as they sing, dance, and play instruments during an interactive music class. 

40. Move and shake at Little Groove

Designed for kids 3 months to 4 years, Little Groove uses sound, sight, and touch to let little ones explore music and movement in lively, interactive classes across multiple locations.

Sports, Movement & Indoor Energy Burners

41. Splash and play at Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is a family resort featuring a huge indoor water park, daily dance parties and story times, arcade games, and dry-land attractions for all ages. AND there are two New England destinations!

42. Jump at Sky Zone Everett and Danvers

Trampolines, foam pits, and dodgeball arenas help kids and parents burn serious energy.

43. Climb at Central Rock Gym

Kids and families can climb, swing, and tackle indoor rock walls of all levels, building confidence, strength, and problem-solving skills in a safe, energetic environment.

44. Roller-skate at the Chez-Vous skating rink

The entire family can enjoy themed skate nights at Chez-Vous that offer classic, lively fun for all skill levels.

45. Putt at Aloha Mini Glow Golf in Peabody

Kids can putt through colorful, themed courses with fun obstacles and interactive surprises, enjoying an exciting indoor mini-golf adventure.

46. Solve quests at Boda Borg

Kids ages 7 and up can work together to solve challenges, navigate interactive “quests,” and test their brains and bodies in a unique indoor adventure playground.

47. Play indoor soccer at Super Soccer Stars clinics

 Kids stay active in fun, structured indoor soccer sessions all winter long.

48. Bounce at Launch Trampoline Park

With multiple locations, Launch Trampoline Park offers fun for the whole family and has special “toddler” time to allow little ones to bounce without bigger kids nearby.  

49. Race and play at Apex Entertainment

At Apex Entertainment, kids and families can zoom around indoor go-kart tracks, play laser tag, and enjoy arcade games, all in a lively, action-packed space.

50. Move and Grow at The GreenHouse Children’s Yoga Studio

Kids can stretch, breathe, and move through playful yoga classes designed to build balance, focus, and confidence in a fun, welcoming environment.

FAQ

• What are the best winter activities for kids in Boston?

A mix of indoor museums, outdoor adventures, and festive events makes winter in Boston magical.

• What can kids do indoors on a cold day?

Check out the Museum of Science, Children’s Museum, Aquarium, trampoline parks, or indoor climbing gyms.

• What about free winter activities?

Sledding, tree lightings, winter walks, and First Night are great low or no-cost options.

• What are toddler-friendly winter activities?

Jam Time, Enchanted Village, the aquarium, and the Discovery Museum are especially good for littler ones.
 

Bundle up and explore the magic of winter in and around Boston! Whether you're planning a snowy day trip or a cozy indoor afternoon, these 50 activities offer plenty of opportunities for family fun. Be sure to bookmark our Boston Family Calendar for current events, and check back as we update with new winter-season happenings.

Originally published in December 2013

Updated January 2023, 2024; December 2024, 2025