Hockey Season in Boston with Kids!

Hockey season in Boston is back, and it’s one of my favorite things about fall! 

Taking your family to a hockey game in New England is truly a fun adventure for kids of all ages. I was 8 years old when I attended my first Bruins game with my dad in the old Boston Garden, and from then on I was hooked. There’s plenty of hockey in the Boston area to choose from, whether you want to go all out at TD Garden to cheer on the Bruins or start with a local college team like the BC Eagles, Harvard Crimson, BU Terriers, Northeastern Huskies, or UMass Lowell Riverhawks.  

Here are some options for your family to experience the great sport of hockey:

Boston Bruins

If you live in the Boston area and haven’t yet taken your kids to a Bruins game, you can make a day out of it by stopping in the North End or Faneuil Hall before or after the game.

Parking tip: Don’t spend the outrageous $60 parking fee at the TD Garden. You can take the MBTA commuter train or T to the game. If you prefer to drive, use an app like SpotHero or ParkWhiz to find less expensive parking.

There are plenty of restaurants in the Causeway Street area, including a new food hall called Hub Hall Boston.

At the game, kids can meet Blades, the Bruins’ mascot. B’s games tend to be on the loud side, so I recommend earplugs for the kids (I even wear them myself). Ticket prices can get expensive, but if you don’t care who they’re playing, you can pay less to see a team that is not in high demand.  

Providence Bruins

The Baby B’s are a less expensive option — and a way to see many of the future Bruins players. Parking is easier in Providence, either directly at the Amica Mutual Pavillion or in other lots close by. Buy tickets through Ticketmaster. Such a deal compared to NHL games, this AHL team will only cost you $20-40 per ticket!

Boston College Eagles

BC is a very family-friendly place, with Baldwin the Mascot and easy (free!) parking. I have to throw in a plug for the Eagles’ pep band (as a former member!), which kids love watching as much the hockey game. College hockey is great because there are options to see both the men’s and women’s teams play, and it’s perfect for kids who are not quite ready for a professional game. In the area are many places to eat, including my old favorite Devlin’s in Brighton Center, and plenty of other choices in nearby Cleveland Circle or Newton Center.

Harvard Crimson

Cheer on the men’s or women’s Crimson hockey teams at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center in Brighton. Kids can have their birthday parties here as well, complete with tickets to a game, food, gift bags for each kid, and a birthday welcome on the big screen!

BC and Harvard are two of the teams that make up the famous annual “Beanpot” tournament held at the TD Garden each February. The same four teams compete each year, with BC and Harvard battling it out with Boston University and Northeastern. Great school spirit is guaranteed to be on display. Bonus if you can actually score tickets!

No matter which Boston hockey team you choose to root for, you and your kids are guaranteed to have an exciting day — and hopefully the start of a lifelong love of hockey!