Boston · With kids
Boston with kids: things to do
| Place | Ages | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Children's Museum | Ages 1-15 pay full price; under 12 months free | Listed kids' price: $24. |
| New England Aquarium | Child ages 3-11; ages 2 and under free | Listed kids' price: $30.95. |
| Museum of Science | Child ages 3-11; under 3 free | Listed kids' price: $28. |
| Swan Boats (Public Garden) | Child fare ages 2-15; under 2 ride free | Listed kids' price: $3.25. |
| Franklin Park Zoo | Under 2 free | No kids' price stated on the source page. |
Boston condenses a lot of family sightseeing into a walkable core. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail links 16 historic sites, several of them free, and the MBTA lets children 11 and under ride free. Winters are cold (January highs around 3 C), so most families aim for mid-May to mid-June, or the autumn months.
The notes below on Boston are drawn from the linked operator, transit and climate pages, opened on 18 October 2026. Prices that could not be confirmed on the source page are left out.
What to do, and what it costs for kids
[Boston Children's Museum](https://bostonchildrensmuseum.org/visit/). Children's museum at 308 Congress St. General admission is $24; children under 12 months and members are free. Open Wednesday to Monday, 9am to 4pm. Age band: Ages 1-15 pay full price; under 12 months free. Listed kids' price: $24.
[New England Aquarium](https://www.neaq.org/visit/tickets/). Aquarium with an optional movie add-on ($35.95 child with movie). New England residents get $5 off. Age band: Child ages 3-11; ages 2 and under free. Listed kids' price: $30.95.
[Museum of Science](https://www.mos.org/visit/hours). Science museum. Planetarium and Omni shows are priced separately. Age band: Child ages 3-11; under 3 free. Listed kids' price: $28.
[Freedom Trail](https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/). A 2.5-mile route connecting 16 nationally significant historic sites. Costumed-guide tours are described as excellent for families. Free sites include the Faneuil Hall visitor center, USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument.
[Swan Boats (Public Garden)](https://swanboats.com/plan-your-visit/). A 10-15 minute ride. Age band: Child fare ages 2-15; under 2 ride free. Listed kids' price: $3.25.
[Franklin Park Zoo](https://www.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo/buy-tickets). Zoo run by Zoo New England. Children under two are free, and prices vary by day and time. Age band: Under 2 free.
Fares, strollers and the airport run
Child fares. MBTA: children age 11 and under ride free.
Airport. The Silver Line SL1 bus is free from Logan Airport to South Station, where it connects to the Red Line and Commuter Rail. The Blue Line also serves Airport Station and charges a fare.
Transit sources: mbta.com, mbta.com.
Monthly highs and lows
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7 C | -4.9 C |
| February | 3.9 C | -4.1 C |
| March | 7.5 C | -0.5 C |
| April | 13.6 C | 4.9 C |
| May | 19.2 C | 10.2 C |
| June | 24.6 C | 15.4 C |
| July | 27.8 C | 18.9 C |
| August | 26.9 C | 18.4 C |
| September | 22.8 C | 14.6 C |
| October | 16.7 C | 8.6 C |
| November | 10.9 C | 3.3 C |
| December | 5.7 C | -1.6 C |
Best months: Mid-May to mid-June in particular, with spring and autumn both good; highs of about 19 to 25 C without the July peak.
Source: climatestotravel.com (Logan Airport, 1991-2020).
Stay-area notes
Downtown near Faneuil Hall. The Downtown Visitor Center and Great Hall at Faneuil Hall are free and sit on the Freedom Trail.
Fort Point and the Seaport. Boston Children's Museum is at 308 Congress St in the Fort Point neighbourhood, and the SL1 airport bus stops at South Station.
Kids' costs at a glance
Kids' prices that the pages state, lowest first: Swan Boats (Public Garden) at $3.25; Boston Children's Museum at $24; Museum of Science at $28; New England Aquarium at $30.95.
Adult and resident prices, extra-fee exhibits and promotions are in the sight notes above where the source gave them; confirm the date-specific price on the operator page before you buy.
Age rules by attraction
- Boston Children's Museum: Ages 1-15 pay full price; under 12 months free
- New England Aquarium: Child ages 3-11; ages 2 and under free
- Museum of Science: Child ages 3-11; under 3 free
- Swan Boats (Public Garden): Child fare ages 2-15; under 2 ride free
- Franklin Park Zoo: Under 2 free
No age band or kids' price was stated for: Freedom Trail. Check the operator page for those before you plan the day around them.
What the weather table says about dates
On the monthly table, the warmest average high is 27.8 C in July and the coolest is 2.7 C in January. The spread between the two is 25.1 C, which is the number to weigh when you choose dates. The source's pick, repeated from above: Mid-May to mid-June in particular, with spring and autumn both good; highs of about 19 to 25 C without the July peak.
Questions
What toddler perks does Boston offer?
Boston Children's Museum admits ages 1-15 and gives free entry under 12 months, the Aquarium and Museum of Science are free at 2 and under and under 3 respectively, and MBTA rides are free through age 11.
Where can a family save money in Boston?
Many Freedom Trail sites are free, including the Faneuil Hall visitor center, USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. Swan Boats child fare is $3.25, and the Silver Line from the airport costs nothing.
What can we do in Boston on a rainy day?
Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Boston Children's Museum are indoor options. November to March highs are below 11 C, so indoor plans help in cold months.
Do children ride the T for free?
Yes, the MBTA says children age 11 and under ride free. Groups of 10 or more children must register their travel.
When is the best time to visit Boston with children?
Climates to Travel suggests mid-May to mid-June, with spring and autumn also good.
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Sources
- Boston Children's Museum: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Boston Children's Museum: Children's museum at 308 Congress St. General admission is $24; children under 12 months and members are free. Open Wednesday to Monday, 9am to 4pm. Age band: Ages 1-15 pay full price; under 12 months free. Listed kids' price: $24.
- New England Aquarium: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
New England Aquarium: Aquarium with an optional movie add-on ($35.95 child with movie). New England residents get $5 off. Age band: Child ages 3-11; ages 2 and under free. Listed kids' price: $30.95.
- Museum of Science: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Museum of Science: Science museum. Planetarium and Omni shows are priced separately. Age band: Child ages 3-11; under 3 free. Listed kids' price: $28.
- Freedom Trail: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Freedom Trail: A 2.5-mile route connecting 16 nationally significant historic sites. Costumed-guide tours are described as excellent for families. Free sites include the Faneuil Hall visitor center, USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument.
- Swan Boats (Public Garden): official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Swan Boats (Public Garden): A 10-15 minute ride. Age band: Child fare ages 2-15; under 2 ride free. Listed kids' price: $3.25.
- Franklin Park Zoo: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Franklin Park Zoo: Zoo run by Zoo New England. Children under two are free, and prices vary by day and time. Age band: Under 2 free.
- Boston transit: fares and airport (checked 18 October 2026)
MBTA: children age 11 and under ride free. The Silver Line SL1 bus is free from Logan Airport to South Station, where it connects to the Red Line and Commuter Rail. The Blue Line also serves Airport Station and charges a fare.
- Climates to Travel: monthly climate (checked 18 October 2026)
Best months for Boston: Mid-May to mid-June in particular, with spring and autumn both good; highs of about 19 to 25 C without the July peak.