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Things to Do in Boston this Weekend & Beyond: Wolf Moon, Seal Stroll, Animal Tracking

Take a seaside seal stroll on Gooseberry Island. Photo courtesy of Buzzards Bay Coalition
Take a seaside seal stroll on Gooseberry Island. Photo courtesy of Buzzards Bay Coalition
1/27/21 - By Caitlin Dowling

Lace up those boots, bundle up the kids, and feel free to fib about the number on the thermometer: We're getting outside this weekend! There are plenty of opportunities for adventurous winter day trips, including a seaside seal stroll out in Westport and a guided walk by the light of the full "wolf" moon in Hingham. Become wildlife detectives by tracking animals in Southborough, or take a hike with goats in Georgetown. 

Looking to stay in and warm up at home? Sign your kids up for a virtual program—from Happy Feet Soccer to The Science of Wizarding School/Magical Potions—via our online programs platform, Poppins At Home. And make sure to check out our free January online events and classes. As always, keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for daily updates on local and virtual happenings. Just remember to bring your masks and practice social distancing whenever you're out and about. 

While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our events calendar to find something else to do. Note new travel restrictions for out-of-state events.

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Get happy with houseplants. Photo courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Get happy with houseplants. Photo courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Best Things To Do in Boston This Week with Kids

Full Moon Hike at World’s End

Hingham—January 28
The gates will open after hours to invite you and your family to World’s End for a guided full moon hike on their century-old cart paths. This is a great opportunity to bond, to get your kids outside under the stars, and share the joys of nature at night with your family. READ MORE

Seaside Seal Stroll

Westport—January 28
Enjoy a family hike on Gooseberry Island that is focused on learning about and looking for seals. The group will walk the perimeter of the island looking for two of the most commonly sighted species, harbor and grey seals. READ MORE

Happy Houseplants

Boylston—January 28
Learn the basics of plant care, and pot up your own easy to care for houseplant. Bring a bit of greenery inside this winter, and learn the basics of plant care and propagation. Each child will design their own unique planter using acrylic paint and a 5" terracotta pot. READ MORE

Yeti Hunt

Boylston—January 29
Join Tower Hill Botanic Garden for a behind the scenes tour of the outdoor winter exhibit. Learn about camouflage, Yeti adaptations and lore, and embark on a guided magical hunt to meet and learn about all 15 Yetis residing in the gardens. READ MORE

Animal Tracking Family Night Hike

Southborough—January 30
Register for this special evening hike along Chestnut Hill Farm's trails. Learn how to recognize different animal tracks and other signs of wildlife on the farm and in the woods! At the end of the hike enjoy a campfire with popcorn, hot cocoa, and s’mores.  READ MORE

Snowy Owl Prowl

Ipswich— January 30
Join the Trustees for a family snowy owl prowl, hiking the dunes in search of these magnificent birds. As a family hike, this adventure is shorter and slower than a standard snowy owl prowl, focusing on engaging children along the way.  READ MORE

“National Croissant Day” Goat Hike

Georgetown—January 30
Celebrate National Croissant Day with a stroll in the woods with goats on leads and some roaming free. The hike also includes a meet & greet with other animals on the farm such as llama, sheep, and dogs.  READ MORE

Drive-In Theater at Revolution Hall

Lexington—Fridays & Saturdays through January 30
Come park, eat and watch! Grab tickets to these weekly drive-in screenings and catch some of your favorite hit movies like Soul, Inside Out, and Monsters Inc. READ MORE

Winter StoryWalk on the Trails

Southborough—Daily through January
Looking to change up your strolls outside? Go for a StoryWalk on the farm. StoryWalk is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.  READ MORE

MLK Jr. Self Guided Walk

Walpole—Daily through January 31
Take a self-guided walk and learn about the heroic work of MLK Jr. Learn about King’s connections to Boston and some lesser known facts that may pique your interest in discovering more about the man who helped unite a divided nation. READ MORE

Hatched Breaking the Silence

Daily through February 21
Enjoy a family-friendly illumination and sound experience.“ Hatched” will cut through the darkness of the winter months, offering a public space for joy and optimism in the New Year. Shows begin every 20 minutes.  READ MORE

Ice Castles

Lincoln, NH—Daily through February
Visit a castle made of ice. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and much more. READ MORE

Hike & Seek: Winter Wonderland

North Andover—Daily through March 8
Curious children are invited to discover their own magic in the woods with this outdoor self-guided program. Participants will be emailed an activity bundle to help them look for clues along the trail and work as a team to discover the tiny world beneath their feet and under their nose. READ MORE

Winter Fest

Harvard—Fridays-Sundays through March 21
Enjoy sledding runs down many wonderful hills. Go for a nature walk on the trails. See a human dog sled race. There is so much fun to be had for all ages in the winter woods!  READ MORE

Hot Chocolate Hike at Appleton Farms

Ipswich—Fridays-Sundays through March 28
Cozy up to a warm, delicious cup of cocoa after walking through the grounds of Appleton Farms. The farms have over 1,000 acres to explore before heading to the Farmhouse for a delicious treat. READ MORE

Weir River Farm Private Barnyard Tour

Hingham—Wednesdays through March 31
Bundle up and visit the barnyard with your family, educational group, or neighborhood pod to meet the ponies, sheep, chickens, goats, pigs, cows, and llama. Talk to a friendly guide and learn more about life on the farm. READ MORE
Chill out with some Icy Investigations at the Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Chill out with some Icy Investigations at the Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Best Things To Do in Boston in February with Kids

Salem’s So Sweet

Salem—February 1-14
Local retailers, restaurants, and businesses of Salem invite families to attend the 20th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. READ MORE

Stargazing at Gore Place

Waltham—February 5 & 19
Calling all young astronomers—go stargazing with an expert astronomy educator at Gore Place. During this hour-long program, kids learn how to identify stars, planets, and constellations.  READ MORE

Kiddos in the Kitchen: Cupcakes

Dover—February 6
Batter up, it’s time to make the cupcakes. In this hands-on children’s cooking class, little chefs will explore three varieties of cupcakes with mix and match frosting. Children will make cake batter from scratch, delicious frostings, and then spend time decorating the cupcakes they create. READ MORE

Icy Investigations

Acton—February 6 & 8
Brrrr…Things are getting chilly at the Discovery Museum. Experiment with different types of salt as you explore the unique characteristics of this solid state of water. Add in some liquid watercolors and discover just how cool science can be. READ MORE

Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Newburyport & Amesbury—February 9-14
When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year the area hosts a grand event marking their return. READ MORE

Family Animal Tracking Adventure

Milton—February 13
Have you ever wondered how animals survive in winter? Become a 'Nature Detective' and learn about “stories in the snow” and many other signs that wildlife leave behind as clues to how and where they travel to find food and shelter. READ MORE

All Things Glowing

Andover—February 12
Enjoy a lantern guided night hike at Ward Reservation. When you reach the top of Holt Hill and the trees part you will enjoy a sky full of stars and be greeted by glowing fire pits and a fire spinning performance by Tetra. READ MORE

Skate with a Date

Peabody—February 18
Take your little valentine for a spin around the skate rink. Enjoy free skate rentals, hot cocoa (to go), a flower boutonnière to wear skating, and a “surprise and delight" per couple courtesy of Xfinity. READ MORE
Snowshoe or just hike around Gore Place grounds. Photo by Eric Workman/TMP Images courtesy of Gore Place
Snowshoe or just hike around Gore Place grounds. Photo by Eric Workman/TMP Images courtesy of Gore Place

More Things to Do in Boston in January and February

Igloos, Yurts, and Cozy Cabins: Fun Boston Outdoor Restaurants for Winter Family Dining

Eating in one of these cool or cozy spaces will be a special treat for kids. READ MORE

30 Best Things To Do this Winter in Boston

Find great winter activities, family events, and fun indoor ideas! READ MORE

Northeast Ski Mountains for Families

Nearby ski areas are welcoming families for safe winter adventures. READ MORE

Winter Day Trips from Boston for families

Make the most of winter with these day trips from Boston! READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Boston for Kids and Families

Boston's favorite outdoor skating rinks are back for more winter fun! READ MORE

Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families

Find amazing snow tubing within driving distance from Boston! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
Francis William Bird Park
Hatch Memorial Shell
The Stevens-Coolidge Place
Downtown
Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center
Charles W. Ward Reservation
McVann/O'Keefe Skating Rink
Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park