April school vacation week is just around the corner! If you’re planning a staycation and are looking for fun things to do with your kids during April break, check out these Boston-area events and happenings!
Family Concert: Music, Magic and More :: Boston
April 15
Bring the whole family to Symphony Hall to see the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra perform in this fun and engaging concert series designed to encourage an appreciation for live performance and orchestral music.
Bark at the Park :: Boston
April 15
Bring your dog to enjoy a day at the park for one of Harvard baseball and softball’s furriest events! All attending pets receive a free custom Harvard giveaway that is sure to make them bark with excitement! On top of a baseball doubleheader and softball game, there are several Harvard Athletics contests taking place during Bark at the Park! All events are free unless noted.
Opening Day for Swan Boats :: Boston
April 15
Kick off April vacation with a ride on one of Boston’s famous Swan Boats! The boats will take sail for the first time this season at 10 a.m.!
Quincy SpringFest :: Quincy
April 15
The City of Quincy will host this family-friendly variety of dance performances, arts and crafts demonstrations, music, and games on the Hancock Adams Common. All events are free and open to the public!
Wind Powered Fun at the USS Constitution Museum :: Charlestown
April 15-23
Come visit the USS Constitution Museum during April vacation week to explore the power of the wind and its importance in powering a ship like USS Constitution. The museum will be hosting family-friendly activities and crafts all week long to encourage the exploration of the power of wind — culminating with a public Kite Festival on Friday, April 21.
Dudley Street Farm Day :: Boston
April 15
Head to the Shirley-Eustis House lawn between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a celebration of Roxbury’s farming history. Activities will include a farm animal petting zoo, butter churning, seed packet giveaways, handmade crafts, fresh popcorn, resources from DSNI, planting tips from master gardener Mary Lou O’Connor, and more!
Patriot’s Day in Lexington :: Lexington
April 15-17
Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriot’s Day. Patriot’s Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The entire weekend is celebrated with parades, reenactments, and commemorative ceremonies.
Tinytropolis :: Acton
April 16-21
Come visit the mini city with a big future! Join the Discovery Museum to design, build, and explore a mini city constructed completely out of cardboard and creativity. This changing and evolving temporary space will be put together by staff and visitors over the course of six days.
Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix :: Arlington
April 16
Comedy! Dogs! Slapstick! What more could you ask for? Come experience slapstick comedy like no other, as Ringling Clown College graduate Johnny Peers and the Personality-Plus Dogs take the stage, and hilarious hijinx ensue.
Boston Marathon 2023 :: Hopkinton to Boston
April 17
Catch a glimpse of Boston Moms’ own Kristen as she runs in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! When it comes to things to do with kids in Boston, the marathon is a classic choice!
Dana-Farber runners set the pace in the fight against cancer by raising funds to support groundbreaking research and extraordinary patient care. Thanks to your support, Dana-Farber continues to make strides towards the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer. Every dollar raised supports innovative cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today’s most promising basic cancer research.
To donate to Kristen’s fundraising goal, please click here.
Spring Vacation Kids Pasta Class :: Boston
April 17
Join Seven Hills Pasta Co. for a great day of pasta making with your little ones! Children will learn how to make dough from scratch, craft different shapes of pasta, master the use of pasta machines, and, finally, taste the pasta they make!
Fencing Camp for Kids :: Cambridge
April 17-21
Are you interested in trying out a different sport? Give fencing a try! This camp is designed for children ages 7-14, with little or no fencing experience.
Kiddos in the Kitchen :: Dover
April 17-18
Spend school vacation week in the Powisset Kitchen, and cook up a storm! Each day, for three hours, children will learn kitchen basics and enjoy hands-on cooking with Powisset Cooks! instructors.
Free Tours at the Broad Discovery Center :: Cambridge
April 18-21
The Broad Discovery Center is an active, public educational space that showcases how researchers in Kendall Square and around the world are seeking to understand and treat human disease. Visitors will learn how researchers at Broad and our partner institutions are teaming up with collaborators across the globe to chase down the basis of psychiatric conditions, cancer, infectious diseases, and more; develop new strategies for treatment; and build datasets and technologies to share with scientists everywhere.
Mini Makers :: Brockton
April 18
This activity at the Fuller Craft Museum is for the kids who love math and numbers! Bring the whole family to make data sculptures from utensils, food charms, and more. Numbers aren’t your thing? Decorate a placemat instead! Free tours of the museum will be offered all week long!
Fairy House Building at Franklin Park :: Boston
April 20
Natural materials will be provided during this free family event, but everyone is welcome to explore their surroundings to find natural elements, including sticks, stones, and leaves to adorn their fairy houses.
Shifting the Climate Culture at Peabody Essex Museum :: Salem
April 20 – 22
Are you looking for an event that will help you and your children learn to be more sustainable, but is also fun for the whole family? This event will feature Rare’s interactive behavior exhibit, which helps spread awareness about simple changes individuals can make to help mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as a special vegan menu at the Peabody Essex Museum’s in-house café, Gourmet.
Kids STEM Workshop :: Boston
April 21
Join Mbadika and Mobile Makers Boston to explore the M°Lab Field Kit, a STEM education DIY kit that demystifies the science of fashion, in collaboration with Ministry of Supply. The workshop will be held in the Nook at the Boston Public Market for FREE.
The Spongebob Musical :: Norwell
April 21-30
An unexpected hero takes center stage just as Bikini Bottom is facing total annihilation! Join SpongeBob and Friends as this delightful Broadway musical shines with the power of optimism.
Party for the Planet at Franklin Park Zoo :: Boston
April 22
Head to Franklin Park Zoo to enjoy a fun Earth Day celebration to raise awareness for the planet and all it has to offer, and learn how you can help make a difference! While you connect with nature, learn about important conservation work underway locally and globally with many fun family activities!
Wicked Comic Con :: Boston
April 22-23
Come meet comic creators from around the world, several cosplayers of popular esteem, and the very best local vendors and artists at this family-friendly event!
Sheepshearing Festival :: Waltham
April 22
This unique event takes place on one of the last farms in Greater Boston, just nine miles west of the city! Enjoy live music, handmade goods by local crafters and fiber artists, demonstrations of traditional shearing, herding dogs, and historic re-enactors on the beautiful grounds of the historic 50-acre Gore Place estate.
Play Testing with MIT’s Toy Product Design Students :: Acton
April 23
Who doesn’t love toys?! Come talk to MIT students who want your feedback on their ideas for new toys! Students from MIT’s toy product design class will have test versions of toys that were developed based on feedback they received from visitors in an earlier program. Play with the prototyped toys and let the student toy designers know if you think they should develop these toys!
