Elyse Andrews

Latest posts by Elyse

Best Beaches Near Boston That Are Great for Family Day Trips

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 05/23/2021 - 9:00am

We’re lucky here in Massachusetts to have so many beautiful beaches to choose from when the temperature soars. With lots of room to dig, play, and swim, a stretch of sand on the edge of the salty surf might be the perfect place to take kids in the summer. But with so many Boston area beaches to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones are really right for families. So we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite sandy spots to visit each summer—all within an hour of Boston! For more things to do in and around the city, check out our Boston Summer fun guide.

See Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos Around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 05/09/2021 - 9:30am

Make a new furry friend! Photo courtesy of Davis Farmland

Most kids (and adults, too!) get super excited about seeing cute and cuddly animals up close. How can anyone resist? Luckily, there are some great local animal farms near Boston that are the perfect places for kids to visit, and in some cases, interact with some of their favorite furry creatures. Check out all the best petting zoos near Boston and the suburbs to meet llamas, cows, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and other gentle farm animals.

For more fun on Boston-area farms, don't miss our seasonal picks for farms to play, u-pick, grab an ice cream, and more!

12 Great Places To Hike with Kids around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Sun, 04/04/2021 - 10:00am

Solstice Stones mark the grassy summit of Holt Hill in Ward Reservation.

I’ve always loved hiking, so not long after having my first baby I was hitting the trails around Boston, carrier and all. It was even more exciting when my kids were sure-footed enough to go hiking with me and my husband. Whether you have little kids or big ones, there are plenty of fun and scenic trails throughout the Boston area to enjoy. These one-mile-or-less trails are great spots for walking with toddlers and preschoolers, but these 12 parks and reservations near Boston are tops for longer family hikes.

For more ways to get the family out into the fresh air check out our full Outdoor Fun Guide, and as always, keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for all the happenings in and around the city.

Easy Spring Break Getaways in New England for Families

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 2:00pm

Are we in the tropics? It's warm and inviting at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Katie Wadland

Spring break is coming, and while everyone could use a warm-weather vacation, many families need to keep thier getaways a little closer to home. Luckily, New England is packed with fun family trip destinations that are easy to get to (and easy on the wallet). From farm animal encounters to indoor water park adventures, these overnight or weekend itineraries in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine can be planned at the last minute and still provide lasting memories for kids.

Can't get away for more than a day? Check out our very favorite Boston day trips and Connecticut day trips for families with young kids.

Swimming Lessons for Boston Kids, Babies, and Toddlers (Where Parents Don't Need to Get in the Pool!)

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 02/22/2021 - 7:58pm

All sibs in the pool! Small group sessions are available now at Goldfish. Photo courtesy of Goldfish Swim School

There are plenty of places that offer parent-child swim lessons for babies and toddlers in Boston, but that format doesn't work for all families. In some cases, parents aren't keen on the idea of getting in the pool themselves; in others, kids respond better to instructors when parents aren't around. Fewer places offer lessons for under-3-year-olds without a caregiver in the pool to participate, but some that do are highly rated by parents. Here are a few Boston-area swim schools that are open and accepting students now, with certain COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Peruse our Boston classes guide for more enrichment ideas for your Boston baby and toddler, including music, soccer, and more.

11 Places to Snowshoe with Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Thu, 01/28/2021 - 6:00pm

Snowshoeing is an activity that suits all ages. Photo courtesy of the Trustees of Reservations

What's one item that turns an otherwise ho-hum winter walk into an adventure? Snowshoes! Snowshoes are practical in that they allow kids to walk on top of the snow, allowing families to explore deep woods and other unshoveled trails after a big snowfall, but it only takes an inch or two of the white stuff for there to be a reason to break out this fun footgear. With dedicated winter trails or expansive meadows to tromp through, these spots are tops for snowshoeing near Boston with kids.

For other ways to get children out of the house on cold days, check out our favorite wintertime walks, family-friendly ski areas, and ice skating rinks—all in our Boston Winter Fun Guide.

Winter Hikes and Walks To Take with Boston Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 8:31pm

Winter walk in the Public Garden. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Boston winters are long and cold—no doubt. But a surefire (and blessedly simple) way to shake off a case of cabin fever is to bundle up and head outside for a winter hike or walk. From the heart of the city to the hilly suburbs, Massachusetts boasts many paved or wooded trails that are as majestic in winter as they are in spring or summer, whether dusted or just swept bare by the elements.

If Mother Nature delivers more than a few inches of snow, consider trying out one of the places to snowshoe with kids around Boston instead. Kiddos feeling lazy? A stop at a Boston cafe with great hot cocoa or the promise of a homemade hot chocolate bomb treat to follow your outing is sure to sweeten the deal.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Boston Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 8:04pm

Older kids learn the Science of Sailing. Photo courtesy of Piers Park Sailing Center

Summer camp can be pricey, but not all fun and enriching programs have to cost a pretty penny. To round out our complete guide to Boston-area summer camps, we’ve put together a list of nearly a dozen inexpensive camps in the Boston area that can provide your child with everything from performing arts experience to sailing lessons.

Find a full list of local summer camps in our Camp Directory for Boston families.