The Gardner School is excited to be joining the Boston early education community! Inside the classroom, our programs are designed to create the best possible learning experience for each age and stage of development. Outside of the classroom, we know parents play an essential role in early childhood learning, too. That’s why this list of our favorite free activities in Boston is full of ways to encourage hands-on learning and play with your child!
See the USS Constitution
Young children enjoy learning about all types of transportation—from trucks and trains to airplanes and boats! A trip to visit the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship and America’s Ship of State, can introduce budding historians to the story of our country’s naval heritage. Seeing a ship this large in person instead of a storybook will be something your child will recall again and again.
Enjoy Creative Performances at Faneuil Hall
Stroll around Faneuil Hall Marketplace for shopping, food, and fantastic street performers. With entertainment offered daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Faneuil Hall’s world-renowned street performers will take you on a creative entertainment adventure involving pogo sticks, unicycling, acrobatics, stunts, music, comedy, and more. While it is free to watch, we recommend bringing cash so your child can tip the performers they enjoy the most.
This blog’s featured photo is courtesy of Faneuil Hall.
Explore the Arnold Arboretum
Nestled on the Harvard University campus, the Arnold Arboretum is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Stop by the Hunnewell Visitor Center between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check out a free Discovery Pack with activities to help your family explore this living tree museum to the fullest. Curious children will also enjoy the seasonal Wonder Spots designed to answer their questions about nature through hands-on discoveries.
Bring a Book to Life at the Boston Public Garden
Approaching its 200th anniversary, the Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. While the grounds are beautiful and offer plenty of space to explore, we recommend taking a literary approach. Before you go, read the classic book Make Way for Ducklings. Then, bring the book to life! While at the park, help your child find the sculpture of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings!
Get Outside Year-Round at Boston Common
Adjacent to the Boston Public Garden is Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. The Frog Pond, located in Boston Common, houses a carousel, a splash pool during the summer, and an ice skating rink during the winter. While the admission to the park and the splash pool are free of charge, there is a small fee ($4) to ride the carousel and minor fees for ice skating.
Visit Boston Children’s Museum
While not completely free, Boston Children’s Museum does offer $1 admission on Sundays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Children can embrace science, art, and engineering through creative exhibits that encourage hands-on play. The museum spans three floors and includes favorites like dinos in space, bubbles, a child-sized construction zone, an art lab, a workbench, a performance stage, and more.
A Partner for Parents in Boston
The Gardner School is proud to partner with parents to offer educational resources that make the most of your family time together. Our blog provides many ideas to support family living, early childhood development, education, and more—and our research-based curriculum ensures our teachers are helping your child love learning inside and outside of the classroom.