Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and a city with a rich and colorful history.
While one of the smallest states in the nation, Massachusetts is one of the biggest when it comes to things to do. The Bay State is a cultural hub with Boston as its capital in the east and more rural locations in the western part of the state. Wherever kids go, they will find plenty of fun places to visit and activities to enjoy.
Amusement Parks
Massachusetts is home to several amusement parks. Six Flags New England in Agawam is the most well-known with its thrill rides and shows featuring superheroes and Looney Tunes cartoon characters. Six Flags offers more than a dozen rides specifically for kids. Children can ride a replica of Thomas the Tank engine or drive their own race car in Wile E. Coyote's Speed Trap. Admission to Six Flags also includes free admission to the water park Hurricane Harbor, which includes more than a dozen water rides. Kids can ride a Kiddie Pirate Ship or enjoy a tubing adventure down the 1,000-foot Adventure River. In East Wareham, located between Boston and Cape Cod, kids can visit Water Wizz, home to more than 1,000 feet of water slides.
Animal Attractions
Animal attractions abound in Massachusetts. The New England Aquarium in Boston houses dozens of marine creatures including penguins, sea turtles, lobsters and tiger sharks. While at the aquarium, children can learn about the Amazon rainforest and Pacific Reef, or visit the Imax Theatre for an underwater adventure without having to get wet.
The Southwick Zoo in Mendon offers a unique view of the animals from a sky ride. Kids can see African leopards, Bengal tigers, African lions, chimpanzees, spider monkeys, giraffes and lemurs. An assortment of feathered animals can also be found at the zoo. Ostriches, emus, rheas, flamingos, cockatoos and ducks are some of the birds housed at the zoo. Other zoos in Massachusetts include Boston's Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo in Stoneham and the Forest Park Zoo in Springfield.
Museums
Museums always provide entertaining activities for children. In Massachusetts, there is no shortage of museums. In Springfield, kids can learn about the history of basketball, invented in the state, at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. According to the hall's website, the site is home to more than 40,000 square feet of basketball artifacts and hundreds of interactive exhibits showcasing basketball's history. More than 250 inductees are enshrined in the Honors Ring.
The Boston Children's Museum provides exhibitions and educational programming promoting imagination and curiosity about the natural world. The Children's Museum in Easton is another site for kids to learn in a fun environment. The museum's website says there are three floors of hands-on exhibits and more than 100 programs for educational and social learning.
Historical Places
Dating back to well before the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts is home to many historical places. Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge replicates life in a rural town of the 1790s through the 1840s. Kids can travel back in time and visit places like a blacksmith shop, a meeting house or a cooper shop.
At the Salem Witch Museum, kids can learn about the Salem witch trials of the1690s through interactive exhibits. History also comes alive at Historic Deerfield, which according to Historicdeerfield.org, showcases more than 25,000 artifacts created or used in early America between 1650 and 1850.
The Freedom Trail in Boston provides the opportunity for kids to learn about life during the American Revolution. The more than two-mile walk is showcased by a distinct red line. The path contains such historical sites as Paul Revere's house and the site of the Boston Massacre.
Sports
Massachusetts is home to many professional sports teams. Kids can enjoy a baseball game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Fenway, the oldest American League ball park, is also home to Fenway Franks and the team mascot Wally the Green Monster.
At the TD Garden in downtown Boston, kids can take in a basketball game when the Celtics are in town, or a hockey game when the Bruins are home. Kids who like football will want to catch a football game at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. For some big-time college football, kids can find sports entertainment by attending a Boston College gridiron game.
Related posts
Children can hand-feed ostriches at the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.Tucson is a city located in southern Arizona and is home to more than 350 days of sun each year. This sunny city has many tour...
Many families get together to share a meal on ThanksgivingDuring the festivities of Thanksgiving Day many families get together to share a meal, making it a time to not only get kids involved, but...
There are many kids' activities that foster creativity.A 2001 study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics says that kids under 2 should have no TV time at all and kids over 2 should have no m...
Teach children to work together to build unity in the classroom.Unity in school can encourage a positive learning environment and create a place for children that is free from isolation and discri...
Many men would enjoy a cigar rolling station at the wedding.Wedding favors and wedding activities can often go hand in hand. Combine the two for an economical and enjoyable wedding reception or pl...
