It’s no secret there is a ton to see and do in Boston, but there is also a treasure-trove of great things to do with kids outside the city in Central Massachusetts as well!
Not too far outside Boston, in Sterling, is Davis Family Farm Adventures. The former dairy farm is now a children’s paradise with animals roaming free, waiting to be fed and petted. There is a tractor ride and scavenger hunt as well as a playground and potato sack slide. But the biggest hit with my kids was definitely the splash park which included a bubble zone. We spent hour up hour wandering the farm, visiting with the animals and playing. (We were there in the summer but the farm also does you pick apples and pumpkins in the fall as well as a cornfield maze).
Also just outside Boston is the Children’s Discovery Museum in Acton. The small but cute museum offers hours of fun for kids of all ages with interactive exhibits including a ball run, diner, puppet theatre, train station and more! The museum is housed in an old Victorian house and is not handicapped accessible and buggies are not allowed but there is plenty to do for kids of all ages that even with an infant Doodle, we didn’t end up holding him much and the girls stayed entertained for a few hours before we made them leave.
A bit farther west are a few other great activities for kids including Yankee Candle Company. A visit to Yankee includes wandering the HUGE store with different areas including a Halloween zone, a winter wonderland with snow, a toy shop (with Santa in residence year round!) and a candy shop. Little ones and big kids alike can also make their own candles by filling a jar or dipping a taper.
Not too far from Yankee is the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens. With a large atrium filled with free-flying butterflies, the girls had so much fun exploring, hunting for butterflies and looking for all the different kinds on the information sheet we were given.
If you’re in the area in the Fall, you should also check out Red Apple Farms which is another you pick apple farm (as well as other tree fruits, pumpkins and squash) but also has a Hay Ride, walking trail, animals, excellent barbecue and a cute little shop where you can pick up some local cider donuts.
We have also made it a Thanksgiving tradition to head to Pierce’s Tree Farm with hubby’s parents to help pick their Christmas tree. The cut your own farm is more than just Christmas trees, though. You can take a tractor ride with Santa, take pictures in the cut-outs and if you get chilled, head inside for a cup of free cider!
