Winter activities in Boston give families a chance to make the most of the season. Winters in New England can sometimes feel dark and dreary. But there is a silver lining to all the frosty weather: snowy outdoor adventures, like ice skating outside and fun winter family events to go to. Our picks for the best things to do this winter in Boston with kids include museums, outdoor winter activities, and more family fun.
For more winter activities that keep kids busy, bookmark our Boston Winter Fun Guide. Keep warm—and have fun!
Outdoor Winter Activities Near Boston – Skiing and More
1. Have a Snowshoe Adventure
With these great places to snowshoe near Boston, you can enjoy the outdoors in a whole new winter way.
2. Put on Your Ice Skates
Get some fresh air, exercise, and loads of fun at some outdoor ice skating rinks in Boston and around the city.
3. Find the Best Sledding Hills
Throw the sleds in the car and head to one of these sledding hills—we promise, they’re worth the drive.
Enjoy snow tubing near Boston, one of the top winter activities. Fruitlands snowtubing photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism
4. Surprise the Family with Snow Tubing
Step up your sledding game and hit one of these snow tubing spots for some extra fast fun!
5. Head up Hill
Take new skiers to the bunny hill at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton and stop by to visit the otter and owls at the outdoor exhibits at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum.
6. Make That Family Ski Adventure Happen
If you’re looking for a little more speed, sign your kids up to learn how to downhill ski (or snowboard) without even leaving the Boston area.
7. Skate the Charles
Discover the wintertime secrets of The Cove, which features the city’s only skating area on Charles River.
8. Hike by Moonlight
Try a Wolf Moon Hike at Powisset Farm for some winter fun by moonlight!
More Outdoor Winter Activities Near Boston
9. Learn About the Science of Snow
Head to the Mass Audobon Society’s Boston Nature Center to learn the Science of Snow and how animals survive in the winter.
There are so many beautiful sights on winter activities in Boston. Snowy Owl Prowl photo courtesy of The Trustees
10. Spot a Winter Visitor
Hike North Shore beaches in search of the wisest of birds on a guided Family Snowy Owl Prowl.
11. Take a Stroll To Find Bald Eagles
Head to the Neponset River Greenway for a Bald Eagle Walk along the Neponset River.
12. Make the Winter Sweet
Head to one of the best spots around for Maple Sugaring with Boston Kids.
13. Visit the Animals
Bundle up and see lions, tigers, zebras, and more at the outdoor exhibits at Franklin Park, the Stone Zoo, and more.
Visit Two Big Black Hearts by Jim Dine at the De Cordova Sculpture Park. Photo courtesy of the park
14. Enjoy a Winter City Walk
Pick one of these wonderful winter walks in one of Boston’s beautiful outdoor parks.
15. Visit Snowport in the Seaport
Each year, Boston’s waterfront hosts Snowport at Seaport, through February. Try your hand at outdoor winter fun, like curling!
16. Twirl in an Ice Castle
Pretend to be Elsa and visit a real ice castle opening January 22, just over the border in New Hampshire.
17. Track Winter Birds
Join your neighbors and share your backyard birding sightings with the Great Backyard Bird Count (beginning mid-February).
18. Follow the Freedom Trail
Boston’s Freedom Trail is open year-round, and it’s a fun way to explore the city in winter.
19. Explore Arnold Arboretum
Open year round, Arnold Arboretum has a special beauty in the winter.
Indoor Winter Activities Around Boston – Fun Centers and More
20. Play at the Arcade
These fun centers and old school arcades are perfect for a cold winter’s day.
21. Spend the Day at an Indoor Water Park
Find a taste of summer fun all winter long at these local indoor water parks!
22. Train like a Ninja
A visit to ninja warrior gyms, obstacle courses, and parkour in Boston will make sure the kids are keeping active and having fun.
23. Bounce Away
Let your kids bounce out their energy at an indoor trampoline park.
24. Putt Like No One’s Watching with Indoor Mini Golf
The family can enjoy indoor mini golf in Boston, regardless of the weather.
25. Have some extreme fun
Check out the indoor extreme sports, like indoor go karts, axe throwing, and more!
26. Get Rolling!
Have some traditional New England wintertime fun at the best places to go bowling with Boston kids.
27. Be a Brick Master
See how much fun you can build into one winter’s day visiting LEGO Discovery Center Boston.
Indoor Winter Activities in Boston – Museums and More
Warm up in the greenhouse and take in all the lush greenery. Photo courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
28. Catch Warm Vibes Visiting a Conservatory
Check out Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s spectacular 171-acres of outdoor gardens and lush indoor conservatories. They are accessible with advanced ticketing. Check the calendar for fun events like a Yeti Hunt, Snow Slime workshop, and more.
29. Have a different kind of Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum are happy to support a revolutionary day of family fun and winter activities!
30. Visit the Museum of Science
Explore the excitement at Boston’s Museum of Science, a Boston favorite for indoor fun that’s been catering to kids for generations.
31. Spend a day at the Children’s Museum
There’s so much fun to be had at Boston Children’s Museum (as well as nearby Martin’s Park),
32. Head to the Aquarium
It’s not a day at the beach, but that’s for the best given the sharks! The New England Aquarium has enough exhibits to fill an entire day.
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is a great spot on a cold winter day! Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts
33. Get Artsy at the MFA
See amazing works of art (and even make some of your own) at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Winter Activities in Boston – Festivals and Events
34. Winter Fest at Hood Park
Running through January, Winter Fest at Hood Park in Charlestown is Boston’s newest and largest winter festival.
35. Get Your Wizarding Game on
Get back to school (Hogwarts, that is) at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. You can get sorted at the Cambridgeside Galleria through January 5th.
36. First Night Boston
The city rings in the New Year with First Night Boston 2025.
37. Winter Warmer in Southie
Head to South Boston for an afternoon of family fun and at the Winter Warmer at Moakley Park.
38. Head to Mill City for Winterfest
Lowell Winterfest offers families a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and performances.
More Great Indoor Winter Activities Around Boston
Igloo photo by Kevin Riedy
39. Build an Epic Winter Igloo
Take the snow fort to the next level and build a multicolored igloo!
40. Make a Snow Day happen at the BPL
The Main Branch of the Boston Public Library is hosting a free Snow Day at BPL, where all ages are welcome!
41. Go for a Cocoa Cuppa
Indulge in a cup of steaming hot chocolate at one of our favorite spots for this cold-weather treat.
42. Help Kids Learn to Cook
Choose an easy recipe for kids (or two or three!) and pick up ingredients to cook as a family.
43. Check out a Kid-Friendly Film Festival
Catch some of the world’s most charming and clever movies for kids ages 3 to 12 at a hybrid edition of the annual (and locally produced) annual Belmont World Film’s Family Festival.
Winter Trips and Getaways From Boston
44. Plan a Winter Day Trip
Pack up the car and hit the road for an easy winter day trip.
45. Salem
Skip the Halloween crowds and explore historic Salem on a crisp winter’s day.
46. Providence
Rhode Island’s has fun for the whole family when you visit Providence with kids..
47. Springfield
From the Basketball Hall of Fame to the Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield is a great destination for Boston families on a winter weekend retreat.
Head to Foxwoods Resort for family fun and winter activities! Foxwoods photo by Makayla O’Keefe
48. Foxwoods Resort
There’s plenty of kid-friendly fun at Foxwoods Resort in southeast Connecticut.
49. Mystic, CT
With shops, restaurants, a world-class aquarium, and an historic Seaport Museum, a visit to Mystic CT is worth the trip any time of year.
50. White Mountains
Head to the White Mountains for family fun, with skiing, sledding, and indoor and outdoor winter activities.
Originally published in December 2013
Updated January 2023, 2024; December 2024
