Family Activities
Massachusetts family activities can keep kids entertained year-round
Massachusetts has welcomed families since the first one landed at Plymouth.
Any time of the year, you’ll find family friendly lodging, activities, and adventures on day trips, weekend getaways, and longer vacations.
Enjoy a full menu from museums to indoor and outdoor amusement parks and water parks, beaches, zoos and ziplines, whitewater rafting and kayaking, and the largest family go-cart track in New England.
The most complete set of early American historic sites are here with tales to tell and there are great beaches and endless scenic places to stop, relax, and snap some pictures.
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12 listings
Charlemont, MA
Crab Apple Whitewater (MA)
2056 Mohawk Trail 800-553-7238Members of rafting company’s family join trips to make sure they’re fun, comfortable for all families
At Crab Apple Whitewater, members of their family join every rafting trip to ensure a comfortable, exceptional experience for members of your family. In Massachusetts, there are trips just perfect for families. The Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River features Class I to III rapids, exciting but family-friendly, through mild whitewater for 2.5 hours followed by a hearty meal at the Mohawk Trail base camp, with a patio overlooking the river. And kids love the Funyaks option, where they can fire giant squirt guns from inflatable kayaks as they float through five miles of the lower Deerfield River. The Funyaks hold one or two; the self-bailing rafts hold six to seven paddlers. Spend the night in a nearby hotel or motel recommended by Crap Apple.
Plymouth, MA
See Plymouth
4 North Street 508-747-0100Interactive history museums, boating excursions, kid-friendly dining and lodging make Plymouth a must for families
Check out some more great things to do while visiting Plymouth County, MA!
A walk through the streets of picturesque Plymouth will show you right away why it’s a family-favorite vacation spot. Kids love going on board the Mayflower II and leaning over the nearby barrier to get a peek at Plymouth Rock. At the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, interpreters are happy to answer questions as you explore life in a 17-century English village and a Wampanoag homesite. Sometimes children can help scrape out a dugout canoe or play with a Pilgrim child’s toy. At the Plimoth Grist Mill, you can see how corn was ground. At the harbor, go on a pirate cruise, whale-watch, or take a harbor cruise aboard a paddlewheel boat. There are arcades, ice cream shops, family-friendly restaurants and the Edaville Family Theme Park a short drive away. Please visit our website to learn more about these activities and others to prepare for your trip to Plymouth.
Sturbridge, MA
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 508-347-3362Family fun is around every corner in this re-created 19th-century New England village
Everywhere you turn at Old Sturbridge Village in historic Sturbridge, MA, there is a shop, store, farm or home designed to draw families into life in a rural 1830s New England village. Watch the blacksmith or printer at work, see how food was cooked at a kitchen hearth, help with animals at the Freeman Farm. See how wool was prepared for spinning and how lumber was cut for the village in the sawmill. Kids will love visiting heritage-breed chickens, cows and pigs, riding in a horse-drawn wagon and checking out the graffiti on the original schoolhouse desks. There are nature walks, covered bridges, bakeries and souvenir shops, and dining is casual and delicious at the Bullard Tavern or Ox & Yoke Cafe. (Afterward, stop by the Village Scoop Shop across from the playground.)
Worcester, MA
Worcester Art Museum
55 Salisbury Street 508-799-4406Discover, explore, and interact with art from around the world
Connect with global stories at the Worcester Art Museum. Discover ancient mosaics, medieval arms and armor, contemporary paintings and sculptures, and much more in the Museum’s wide-ranging collection and exhibitions. Meet your new favorite artist, ask questions, or enjoy an escape. Find creative and hands-on activities for all ages across the Museum’s many galleries. There are endless ways to experience the Worcester Art Museum.
Looking to dive deeper? Develop your own skills and expand your creativity in studio art classes for youths, teens, and adults. Want more art during the school year? Explore our special school break class offerings for children and teens.
Free admission for Members, children 17 and under, and students at participating College Partner schools.
The Berkshires Region, MA
Visit the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts
413-499-1600Fall is Family Time
Bring the family to the Berkshires for unique adventures certain to make everyone happy! Find trail hiking for beginners through the most experienced climber, including accessible trails. Guided walks throughout Berkshire County feature stops at intriguing historic places. View the colorful foliage from a new angle by riding a mountain coaster, trying out a zipline, or challenging yourself at an aerial adventure park. Take the family to one of many fall festivals and fairs to sample taste treats, pet animals, and enjoy the sounds of local musicians. You can even find hands-on adventures, from guided immersion into the local wildlife scene and creating your own art. Hungry? Flavors abound, with everything from homemade pizza to fine dining - something to fill every belly! You’ll want to spend several days taking it all in!
Falmouth, MA
Island Queen
75 Falmouth Heights Road 508-548-4800Beginning, middle and end: Every part of this voyage from Cape to Vineyard is a blast for kids
It’s hard to predict which your kids will love more: their time on the Cape, their time on the Vineyard, or their time on the Island Queen, the passenger ferry taking them from one place to the other. They’ll love hanging out on the deck during the 35-minute trip. And they like being able to bring their bikes and paddle boards – and pets! In Oak Bluffs, MA. they can ride the Flying Horses carousel; in Edgartown, MA, there are fun shops to explore; and Martha’s Vineyard’s bike trails and harbors are spectacular. Back in Falmouth, MA, there’s the Shining Sea Bikeway, an aquarium, a Cape Cod Baseball League team, a county fair and beautiful beaches. The ferry has a snack bar and restrooms, and kids 4 and under travel for free.
Boston, MA
Meet Boston
Information Centers on Boston Common and Prudential Towers (Center Court) 888-733-2678Family-friendly Boston has something for everyone – and it’s all a short walk away
Families love Boston, and it’s no secret why: It’s so walkable, and there’s so much to do, everyone leaves happy. See tea tossed overboard at the Tea Party Ships & Museum, then take in the Children’s Museum practically next door. Visit the Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution on the exciting Freedom Trail, catch a game at Fenway or take a relaxing trip on the famous Swan Boats in the Public Garden (don’t forget to visit the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues while you’re there). There are plenty of playgrounds, a classic carousel, trolley and duck boat tours, street performers at fun Faneuil Hall, seals, penguins and sharks in the New England Aquarium – and you can watch a lightning storm happen indoors in the Museum of Science.
MA
Visit Concord MA
Discover History, Culture, and Outdoor Fun for the Whole Family in Concord, MA
Concord, MA offers an abundance of family-friendly activities and events that blend history, culture, and outdoor fun. Retrace the steps of Revolutionary War soldiers, literary greats, and more with a walking tour where guides bring the town’s rich history to life. Indulge in Concord’s bustling food scene, take a guided Chocolate Tour of the downtown area, and stroll between locally owned shops. Tour the Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott, where fans of Little Women can explore the home where the beloved novel was written and took place. For a scenic outdoor experience, check out the area’s many walking and hiking trails, and don’t miss a visit to Minute Man National Historical Park to hear tales of the first shots of the American Revolution. Between Concord’s many museums, its local charm, and well-preserved historic sites, your family will be begging you to stay longer.
Duxbury, MA
Art Complex Museum
189 Alden Street 781-934-6634Art, Nature, and Hands-On Fun – Plus, Admission is Free
The Art Complex Museum is a cultural destination offering art, history, and natural beauty -all housed in a sleek modern space overlooking tranquil gardens. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions showcasing contemporary artists, American paintings, Works on Paper, Asian art, and Shaker furniture, along with engaging lectures, workshops, and family-friendly programs. Outdoors, the beautifully landscaped grounds invite strolls among sculptures. Free admission makes it an accessible destination for all. With year-round events and special exhibits, every visit offers something new. It's a must-stop for art lovers and anyone seeking inspiration in Plymouth County.
Admission: Free
Arlington, MA
Arlington Historical Society
7 Jason Street, 781-648-4300Bring History to Life With Hands-On Family Adventures
The Arlington Historical Society: Jason Russell House & Museum has a way of making history feel immediate — and for kids, that's everything. Step inside the Jason Russell House, the site of the largest skirmish of the Battle of Lexington, Concord & Menotomy, and see surviving bullet holes from 1775 up close. The Society offers educational programs and group visits tailored for school classes, homeschool groups, and scouts, with hands-on activities designed to bring colonial life to life. Throughout the year, the Society hosts community events that welcome families of all ages, with free admission to many.
Gloucester, MA
Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus Avenue 978-283-2080A Castle Built for Curious Minds
Built by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., Hammond Castle Museum offers families a one-of-a-kind experience where history, science, art, and imagination meet along Gloucester’s rocky Atlantic coastline. Families can explore at their own pace with guided or self-guided tours that feature towers, courtyards, seaside views, and a Bingo-style scavenger hunt for children. Seasonal family programming includes:
- Bubbles & Books Story Times
- Princess & Prince events
- Trick-or-Treat at the Castle
- Renaissance Faire Days
- Santa Returns to the Castle
- Kid Free Weeks during school vacations.
Children ages four and under receive free admission. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
Hancock, MA
Huttopia - Berkshires
312 Kittle Road, 413-343-8192Create Unforgettable Family Moments in the Berkshires
Create lasting memories with included activities designed for all ages at Huttopia Berkshires. Kids love our heated swimming pool with Jiminy Peak views, while families bond over bocce, pétanque, ping pong, and badminton. Evening entertainment includes local musicians, magicians, s’mores nights, and outdoor movie screenings under the stars. Explore nearby adventures like Jiminy Peak mountain biking (3 miles away), swimming and fishing at local state parks, or hiking to spectacular Bash Bish Falls. Our Café-Bistro serves family favorites from morning croissants to wood-fired pizzas, while organized nature activities help children discover local wildlife and learn about conservation.
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