Best Ice Cream Shops in Boston for Kids

1. North End Creamery - Boston

This quaint shop is the place to stop a scoop when exploring Boston's North End. Perfect for a cool treat on the Freedom Trail or a family desert in Boston's Little Italy.

Known for: Innovative homemade ice cream and vegan options

Flavors Kids Love: Birthday Cake, Fudge Brownie, Fruity Cereal

2. Christina’s Ice Cream - Cambridge

Christina's Ice Cream is sure to offer unusual and inventive flavors - typically over 50! - make each visit to Christina’s in Inman Square an adventure.

Known for: Some of the most unique ice cream flavors in Boston

Flavors Kids Love: Banana Cinamon, Carrot Cake, Sweet Cream

 
With multiple locations, J.P. Licks has long been the go-to for ice cream for families in Boston. Photo courtesy of JP Licks.

3. J.P. Licks - Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville & Suburbs

J.P. Licks features special Ice cream flavors use fresh, seasonal ingredients (try one of the peach-based flavors this month!), hard frozen yogurt, and regular flavors throughout the year. They also roast their own coffee, and have hand-made ice cream cakes that can be picked up in the stores or customized (with 48 hours notice). The first shop opened in 1981 in Jamaica Plain (Thus, the “J.P.”).

Known for: Being the standard-bearer of local ice cream in Beantown (with 17 Greater Boston locations)

Flavors Kids Love: Cookies 'n Cake Batter, Moon Pie, Cotton Candy

4. Toscanini’s - Cambridge

A Cambridge favorite since 1981, Toscanini’s serves up some of the most unique and best-tasting flavors around often taking inspiration from what’s in season.

Known for: Being dubbed "the world's best ice cream" in the New York Times

Flavors Kids Love: Belgian Chocolate, Nutella, Lime Fluff

Best Ice Cream Shops near Boston for Kids

5. Richardson's Farm - Middleton & Reading

Richardson's ice cream has been a staple of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore since the 1950's. The kids can say hello to the dairy cows at this Middleton farm. Richardson's is conveniently located next to Golf Country for a round of mini golf before treating the family to some scrumptious ice cream.

Known for: Ice cream so yummy, there's a stand at Jordan's Furniture in Reading

Flavors Kids Love: Blueberry Pie, Crunch-a-saurus, Toll House

6. Bedford Farms - Bedford & Concord

Bedford Farms has been making ice cream since the late 1800s, and now serves a wide variety of premium ice cream flavors, gourmet frozen yogurt selections, and soft serve ice cream in Bedford (picnic tables available) and Concord (indoor seating available).

Known for: Custom-made ice cream cakes and ice cream pies

Flavors Kids Love: Chunky Chocolate Pudding, Milky Way, Cherry Bomb

7. Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar - Sharon

You can enjoy 40 flavors of delicious, super premium ice cream that starts with the 40-year-old Parrish family recipe. It'ss carefully churned and hand packed. We know they start with great milk, and you get to visit with the cows too!

Known for: A huge selection of ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and frozen yogurt

Flavors Kids Love: Peanut Butter Cup, Extreme Chocolate, Graham Central Station

8. Kimball Farm - Westford, Lancaster, Carlisle & Lincoln NH

Kimball’s is famous for its huge portions and delicious homemade flavors (be prepared to wait in line!). The Westford location is a “destination” spot - you can play mini golf, ride the bumper boats, or try the nine-hole pitch-n-putt and a driving range while you’re there.

Known for: Gargantuan sundaes and banana splits

Flavors Kids Love: Frozen Pudding, S'mores, Heath Bar Crunch

9. Rancatore's - Belmont, Lexington & Newton

Rancatore’s makes its ice cream in a small batch freezer at a factory behind its Lexington store. Try multiple flavors (you can have two flavors in the small, three in the medium, and up to four in the large) to find your favorite!

Known for: Modern flavors in a retro-chic ice cream shoppe vibe

Flavors Kids Love: Callebaut Milk Chocolate, Gingersnap Molasses, Chocolate Galaxy

 
Get some delicious ice cream kids will love at White Farms Ice Cream on Cape Ann. Photo courtesy of White Farms.

10. White Farms Ice Cream - Ipswich & Gloucester

A long-time favorite of beach-goers and others, White Farms has been making its own ice cream since the early 1950s. and serves up huge portions of old time favorites like chocolate chip and strawberry and more creative flavors like Caramel Cow and Outrageous, plus soft serve flavors, ice cream sundaes, and frappes. Picnic tables are available (no indoor facilities).

Known for: Huge portions and creamy frappes

Flavors Kids Love: Vanilla Fudge Brownie, Bubble Gum, Blueberry Crumble

Of course, we also love Ben & Jerry’s and Emack & Bolio’s (locations throughout the area) and can always count on them for a tasty ice cream outing.

Originally published July 2012; updated in 2015, 2022, 2025