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32 Things To Do in Boston with Kids Before School Starts 2025

There's still plenty of Summer left, so head out for fun before school starts in Boston! Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
There's still plenty of Summer left, so head out for fun before school starts in Boston! Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
8/10/25 - By Tara D

Skip the school supply aisle—there’s still plenty of time for ice cream runs, splash pad adventures, and memory-making moments. These final weeks of summer are packed with family-friendly fun, and Boston is bursting with ways to enjoy them. From seaside escapes to neighborhood festivals, this end-of-summer bucket list is full of must-do activities for kids and parents alike. So hold off on packing those backpacks—New England summer is still going strong. Let’s make the most of it.

Seize the summer days before they start slipping away! If you're looking to stretch your budget, see our 50 Free Things To Do in Boston This Summer. Don't miss our Boston summer fun guide for plenty of ideas to fill the last days of August. And be sure to check our event calendar for the latest family fun in and around Boston.

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End of Summer Bucket List: 33 Things to Do in Boston Before School Starts

 Image of St. Anthony's Feast - Things To Do in Boston Before School Starts
There are several fun summer festivals in Boston before scholol starts. St. Anthony's Feast photo by Matt Conti

1. Feast Like a Local

Greater Boston’s summer festivals are bursting with flavor, music, and fun. From the Fisherman’s Feast and St. Anthony’s Feast in the North End to the classic Marshfield Fair, there’s something delicious and delightful for everyone.

2. Swing into Summer

Not all playgrounds are created equal. These Boston-area playgrounds go above and beyond, with giant slides, splash pads, and climbing structures worth the drive.

3. Make a Splash

Free city pools and neighborhood splash pads are summer lifesavers. When the temps spike, these spots keep everyone cool and happy.

4. Head to the Harbor

Boston’s a boating town, and the options are plenty—harbor cruises, swan boats, and even pirate adventures. No sea legs required.

5. Treat the Kids (and Yourself) to Ice Cream

There’s always room for one more cone. Discover a new favorite scoop shop and turn dessert into an adventure.
 
image of boat in Boston - Things To Do Before School Starts 
There's time to make a big splash this summer bfore school starts! Ferry photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

6. Hit the Best Beaches Near Boston

Whether you’re beachcombing at Crane or catching waves at Nantasket, a few last days of salty air and sandy toes are essential.

7. Take a Hike

These family-friendly hiking trails near Boston offer fresh air, wide-open spaces, and the kind of peaceful moments you’ll want to bottle up for back-to-school season.

8. Dive into a Swimming Lake

Pack the floaties and lunch—these lakes near Boston are calm, clear, and just right for a low-key summer day.

9. Dance Under the Stars

From city concerts to town green performances, outdoor music nights let the kids wiggle while you relax.

10. Hunt for Crabs in Tide Pools

Grab a bucket and explore tide pools at local beaches. You might spot sea stars, tiny fish, and your new favorite beach.

11. Cast Off on a Whale Watch

Whales off the Boston coast? Absolutely. Hop on a boat and watch their tails splash—your kids will never forget it.

12. Visit the Zoo or a Petting Farm

From giraffes to goats, animal encounters spark curiosity and joy. And yes, ice cream is often involved.

13. Pick Blueberries

Late summer is peak blueberry season! Fill your baskets and bake something sweet—or just snack all the way home.

14. Camp Under the Stars

Pitch a tent or rent a cabin. Campgrounds around New England offer nature, s’mores, and memories that stick.

15. Go Mini Golfing

Tee up a little friendly competition. Windmills, loops, and the occasional pirate ship await.

16. Take a Day Trip

Escape the city with a quick trip to somewhere new—like charming Rockport, fruit-picking farms in Central Mass, or cool museums on the Cape.
 
New England theme parks will keep the summer fun rolling before school starts! Photo courtesy of Story Land

17. Try a Theme Park

Before school starts, chase a few thrills. Theme parks such as Story Land, Canobie Lake, and Edaville offer rides for big kids and tiny adventurers alike.

18. Go to a Drive-In Movie

There’s magic in watching a movie from the back of the car in PJs. Don’t forget the popcorn and bug spray.

19. Check Out a Family-Friendly Brewery

Boston's breweries are surprisingly kid-welcoming, with outdoor space, snacks, and live music for all ages. Parents: the cold IPA is for you.

20. Explore a New Playground Town

Wander through walkable neighborhoods like Salem, Concord, or Newburyport. Ice cream, cute shops, and a little local charm? Yes, please.

21. See an Outdoor Movie

Bring the blanket, lawn chairs, and glow sticks. Free outdoor movie nights are the perfect blend of summer chill and big-screen magic.

22. Stroll Through a Flower Field

Sunflower fields and pick-your-own bouquets are blooming—and begging for family photo ops.

23. Get Wet and Wild at a Splashy Water Park

Upgrade your usual pool day with a full-blown water park. Day passes give you access to slides, lazy rivers, and big-time summer fun.

24. Visit a Museum (For Free!)

Some of Boston’s best museums—like the MFA and Gardner—offer free days or pay-what-you-can times. Culture + air conditioning = win.

25. Play Backyard Water Games

Sometimes the best summer fun happens right at home. Fill up the water balloons, set up the sprinkler, and let the chaos begin.

26. Visit a Carousel or Historic Ride

The Rose Kennedy Greenway carousel and the Flying Horses Carousel on Martha’s Vineyard (if they’re heading farther afield) are iconic—and magical for little ones.

Fenway Park - Things To Do in Boston with kids before School Starts 
The Red Sox are red hot in 2025, and there are plenty of games beofre school starts. Fenway Park photo by Nairn McWilliams via Flickr 2 0

27. Catch a Ball Game

Summer in Boston = baseball. A Red Sox game at Fenway or a more affordable, family-friendly outing to a WooSox or North Shore Navigators game could be perfect.

28. Ride a Ferry

Boston Harbor ferries offer low-cost, breezy boat rides to places like Spectacle Island or Salem. It feels like a mini-vacation without the effort.

29. Watch the Sunset

Whether it’s at Castle Island, the Esplanade, or a favorite beach, soaking in a sunset is a simple but magical way to slow down summer.

30. Explore a Local Library Program

Many local libraries offer end-of-summer reading parties, crafts, puppet shows, and other free programming perfect for squeezing in one last adventure.

31. Visit a Botanical Garden

The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill or the Arnold Arboretum can be peaceful and stroller-friendly while still offering lots of flowers (and more) to see and do.

32. Volunteer as a Family

For families who want to model giving back, consider a kid-friendly volunteer opportunity—beach cleanups, food drives, or making care packages for shelters.

Originally published August 2014; updated July 2015, July 2017, August 2024, and August 2025

 

About the Author

Tara D

Tara constantly seeks out opportunities for enrichment and exploration with her kids. When she started writing about it as the Boston Community Ambassador for Ziptivity.com, she discovered a passion for sharing her unique finds with parents, helping to make their lives a little easier and a lot more fun. Her work, which has been highlighted by Huffington Post, can be seen nationally across the Mommy Poppins sites and on Appalachian Mountain Club's Kids Outdoors blog.

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