Boston has real winters, so plan indoor stops from December through March.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
An indoor market of New England food vendors over the Haymarket T stop. Kids can graze.
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour. For toddler classes and every indoor playground we’ve checked, with prices and sock rules, see indoor play in Boston.
Free storytimes, baby programs and bilingual music at the Central Library and branches in every neighborhood.
Free storytimes and family programs at the Central library and branches.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Hands-on exhibits on Fort Point Channel, closed Tuesdays.
The giant ocean tank, penguins and the harbor seals out front.
A big science museum with planetarium shows.
Boston’s zoo, with a giraffe savannah, a children’s zoo and a farm area.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in Boston without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Boston.
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Boston.
Weekday and Saturday mornings at many branchesFree storytimes, baby programs and bilingual music.
Schedule ↗Most weeks at Central and the branchesFree storytimes and family programs.
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Tuesdays at 10:30am · Adams StreetJoin Miss Sarah every Tuesday at 10:30 am for short stories, songs, and rhymes.
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 11:15am · East BostonJoin us for bounces, rhymes, stories, songs, and activities.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 10:30am · East BostonJoin us for bounces, rhymes, stories, songs, and activities.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 10:30am · Jamaica PlainEvery Tuesday come celebrate story time with Librarian Chris at 10:30 am!
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 10:30am · North EndJoin Librarian Ashley for stories, songs, rhymes, bonding, and fun during a Baby Lap-sit Story Time!
Storytime calendar ↗
under 12 months
Admission page ↗2 and under
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in Boston.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Boston right now.
Yes. The Children’s Museum and the Aquarium are close together on the waterfront, and the library runs storytimes in every neighborhood.
Library storytimes and concerts, plus neighborhood park events.
Go indoors: Boston Public Library and Somerville Public Library. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
Boston Children’s Museum: Free under 12 months. New England Aquarium: Free for 2 and under. See best for under 3s.
Boston Public Library: Weekday and Saturday mornings at many branches. Somerville Public Library: Most weeks at Central and the branches. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Boston weekly list.
Every one of the 7 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 2 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 28, 2026. How we choose and check.
Under 12 months; kids 1–15: $24; adults: $24. We checked this on its official site on Oct 28, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Boston.
