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Make the most of the winter weekend with the top things to do in Boston! New England Botanic Garden photo by Troy B. Thompson Photography
Frostival, Robot Battles, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids
The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in  January 2026. Photo: ©Michael J.Lutch for the BYSO
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Boston in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
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From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Get active and have fun as a family at the top spots for indoor golf in Boston!
Best Indoor Golf in Boston: Indoor Golfing Fun for Kids and Families
Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
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Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
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Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
SPONSORED
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Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
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Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
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Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
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Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
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Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
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Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
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The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
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Photo by Liz Baill
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FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
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This Week In
Boston
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Singalong at the BPL Faneuil
Faneuil Branch Library - 10:30 AM
Pizza Decorating for Kids
Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse - 5:00 PM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Countdown to Kindergarten Playgroup
Mattapan Branch Library - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Toddler Story Time at BPL Roslindale
Roslindale Branch Library - 10:30 AM
Youth Media Lab 13 - Teen Media Workshop Series
Shaloh House - 4:30 PM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Free Story Time at Mayne Studios
Mayne Kids Studio - 3:00 PM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Free Admission at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Museum of Natural History - various times
Countdown to Kindergarten Playgroup
Mattapan Branch Library - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Baby Lapsit at BPL Faneuil
Faneuil Branch Boston Public Library - 10:30 AM
Teen Anime Club at BPL Hyde Park
Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library - 3:00 PM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Seaport Smalls
The Paseo - 10:00 AM
Open Saturdays at the Boston Fire Museum
Boston Fire Museum - 10:00 AM
Dog Man: The Musical
Emerson Colonial Theatre - 2:00 PM
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism at BPL Copley
Central Library in Copley Square - various times
Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination
Harvard Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM
Jeff Jam Sing-a-long
Boston Public Market - 10:00 AM
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Danforth Art Museum - 1:00 PM
Dog Man: The Musical
Emerson Colonial Theatre - 2:00 PM
Sunday Funday @ Summer Shack Cambridge
Summer Shack - 5:00 PM
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25 Things to Do During an Old Orchard Beach, Maine Summer Family Vacation

8/30/12 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Old Orchard Beach in Southern Maine is a family friendly beach town perfect for a summertime vacation.  The 7 mile long crescent shaped beach, considered the state’s best, is of course the number one attraction here, but there is plenty more to do when the sun goes down or if the gang tires of the beach.


The casual ocean front town offers a Coney Island-esque strip loaded with touristy shops hawking everything you could ever need for a beach vacation, snack shops offering up regional clam cakes and hand cut fries by the box, an over the top mini-golf course, a seaside amusement park and 500 foot pier that has been an Old Orchard Beach destination for over 100 years.

The surrounding areas of Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough and Portland are close enough to Old Orchard Beach that families don’t have to drive far to enjoy the cycling, fishing, boat trips and historic sites they have to offer.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Old Orchard Beach and the surrounding areas during a summer time family vacation.  

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1.    Enjoy the 7 miles of sun, surf and sand at Old Orchard Beach, consistently voted the best beach in Maine.
2.    Watch the Thursday night fireworks right next to the historic pier.
3.    Take a spin on the Ferris Wheel or one of the other thrilling attractions at the Coney Island-esque Palace Playland, the only beachfront amusement park in New England.
4.    Indulge in an ice cream float or another retro treat at the vintage Ocean Park Soda Fountain a mile south of the Pier in the beachfront village of Ocean Park.
5.    Spend an evening at the historic Pier that juts 500 feet out into the ocean chock full of shops, restaurants and other amusements.
6.    Rip into a lobster in the rough at The Lobster Claw and Pound down the road in Saco.
7.    Play one of the two elaborate pirate themed mini-golf courses at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf.
8.    Visit Fun Town/Splash Town amusement park home of the Excalibur the largest roller coaster in the New England.
9.    Hit Old Orchard Street for a box of the delicious name sake food at Pier Fries.
10.    Take a trip to York Wild Kingdom a lovely zoo and amusement park less than hour south in York.
11.    Take a day trip to Portland the picturesque waterfront city 15 miles to the north offers great eating, outdoor adventures, museums and historic sites.
12.    Spot an egret as you walk or canoe through the Scarborough Marsh, the largest salt water marsh in the state.
13.    See seals, pull lobster traps and fish for mackerel, harbor pollock, bluefish and striped bass on Fish Lips 2 hour family focused deep sea fishing trip. 
14.    Find out what it is like to be a lobsterman on a Lucky Catch Lobster Trip on the Casco Bay.
15.    Feed the bears, visit the moose and bobcat and other rescued animals at the Maine Wildlife Park.
16.    Build a sandcastle at the annual Sandcastle Contest held over the 4th of July weekend.
17.    Pack a picnic and head to Fort Williams Park, home of the historic Portland Head Light, made famous by Edward Hoppers painting of the same name and the remnants of Fort William.
18.    Take a break from the sand at the with a skating session at the Biddeford Ice Arena.
19.    Buy a family board game or try to pick a puzzle from the enormous selection at the excellent game store Board Silly on Old Orchard Street.
20.    Spend a rainy day at staring at the stars at the Southworth Planetarium on the University of Southern Maine campus in Portland.
21.    Monkey around the tree tops at Saco’s Monkey Trunks Arial adventure park.
22.    Cycle your way along the Eastern Trail, a renovated rail bed that is easy enough for beginners and pretty enough to satisfy more accomplished riders.
23.    Let you kite soar in the breezy sea air as the sun sets and the crowds clear out.
24.    Go tide pooling for crabs and other critters along the rocky crevices of the coast in Fort William Park.
25.    Splash around at Aquaboggan a small, kiddie oriented water park.

Beaches & Lakes Summer Activities Northeast United States Maine

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