April School Vacation week is almost here and we know you’re going to want to keep everyone busy. So we pulled together this great list of fun things to do in and around Boston with a week’s worth of family-friendly fun!
Along with our lineup of events for each day of the week, there are some weeklong ones we want to also highlight for you:
- Cambridge Science Festival: The Cambridge Science Festival is a 10-day celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Making science accessible, interactive and fun, there are dozens of events happening all week long throughout the area.
- The Big Apple Circus: Celebrating its 40th year, the Big Apple Circus is at Assembly Row in Somerville throughout school vacation week. Tickets start at $19. Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville.
- Boston’s Swan Boats: Opening April 14, the Swan Boats will be here just in time for school vacation week. Head on down to the Boston Common for this annual tradition. The Swan Boats are open daily weather permitting. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2.50 for children 2 to 15 (free for children under 2) and $3.50 for seniors.
- LEGO Ninjago Days at LEGOland Discovery Center Boston: Throughout school vacation week, LEGOland Discovery Center Boston will transport young ninjas to the ancient training Dojo where their favorite NINJAGO ninjas train during LEGO NINJAGO Days through April 22. Activities include: viewing of the new movie “LEGO NINJAGO Master of the 4th Dimension" 4D, LEGO NINJAGO MINILAND takeover and scavenger hunt and more. LEGOland Discovery Center Boston is located at 598 Assembly Row, Somerville.
- Blue Man Group Offers Free Facepainting and Mask Decorating During Select Performances: Thinking about taking the family to Blue Man Group over school vacation week? There are two dozen shows offered April 14-22 including 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekday matinees great for families which include free face painting, and decorate-a-mask activities being offered before select performances.
- School Vacation Week at Patriot Place: Patriot Place is hosting family-friendly events all week long including: an Olympic Party an Earth Day celebration, Twister party, giant games and more.
Monday, April 16
Patriot’s Day Events in Lexington and Concord
It’s Patriot’s Day, grab the family and take part in some history with the 243rd Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and other events. The Lexington Battle Reenactment take place on the Lexington Green at 5:30 a.m. where British and Colonial reenactors stage a reenactment of the early-morning battle. Not an early morning person, That’s OK, catch the “Shot heard round the world” with a battle demonstration at 8:45 a.m., followed by Concord’s Patriot’s Day Parade at 9:30 a.m.
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The Children’s Museum in Easton presents a family-friendly celebration of invention, creativity and resourcefulness throughout school vacation week as part the Cambridge Science Festival. Meet a variety of Makers sharing their knowledge through demonstrations and hands-on activities. $1-$9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., Easton.
Celebrate Right Whale Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Learn about the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, navigate through the Right Whale obstacle course, climb inside life-sized Right and Humpback Whales to see their biology up close, and more. Free with the price of admission. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford.
If your child is crazy about robots, you don’t want to miss this event at the MIT Museum throughout school vacation week as part of the Cambridge Science Festival. Meet Science & Technology Curator Debbie Douglas as she introduces you to several robots. This event is for families with children under 12 only and tickets are available on a first-come, first serve basis, 15 minutes before tour start times. 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
Olympic Party at Patriot Place
This free event at Patriot Place is open to all ages (on a first come, first serve basis). It features mini Olympic Games, a craft station to design your own Olympic flag, Olympic-themed temporary tattoos and Olympic-themed group games like mini hurdles and torch relays. Games will be located outdoors next to 5 Wits. In case of rain, they’ll take place at the Patriot Place Activity Center, located across from Bar Louie. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
Boston Children’s Museum Marathon
It’s Marathon Monday. Stride through the Boston Children’s Museum marathon course and complete the challenges you find throughout the museum. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston
Massive Groove at Patriot Place
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., jam to music by Massive Groove as they perform a range of hit songs at the Patriot Place stage located outside of Splitsville Luxury Lanes 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
Tuesday, April 17
English/Spanish Story Time for Babies and Toddlers
Enjoy and English/Spanish story time with your youngest children and receive a free math storybook for babies at STEAMworks@TERC as part of the week-long Cambridge Science Festival. This free event is for ages 0-3 and registration is required. 10 a.m., STEAMworks@TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
The Children’s Museum in Easton presents a family-friendly celebration of invention, creativity and resourcefulness throughout school vacation week as part the Cambridge Science Festival. Meet a variety of Makers sharing their knowledge through demonstrations and hands-on activities. $1-$9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., Easton.
Celebrating its 40th year, the Big Apple Circus is at Assembly Row in Somerville throughout school vacation week. Tickets start at $19. Performances today at Noon and 4 p.m., Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day!
PBS’ Daniel Tiger and friends come to life in two performances today of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day at the Medford’s Chevalier Theatre. Tickets start at $27. Performances today at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford.
Daily throughout school vacation week, take part in the Family Art Walk at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Join MFA guides and explore magical and mythical artwork on these 30 minute tours that are fun for all ages. Free with the price of admission. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.
Storytime at Showcase Cinema de Lux
As part of Patriot Place’s Earth Week Celebration, this reading event for parents and children includes a special reading of “Arthur Turns Green,” followed by a special appearance by Arthur himself. 11 a.m., Showcase Cinema de Lux at Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
Earth Day Celebration at Patriot Place
Patriot’s Place is celebrating Earth Week with activities including exploring Waste Management’s Touch-a-Truck, creating your own planter and playing recycling games, along with learning fun ways to help save the Earth. Additionally, there will be a baby animal farm with 20-25 animals including: lambs, goats, chicks, piglets and ducklings. The Children’s Museum in Easton will also be hosting participants to experiment with an Earth Day themed STEM program. 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the North Marketplace at Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
This family-friendly workshop, as part of Cambridge Science Week events, will teach you how to use traditional paper folding techniques to create intricate icosahedra and other geometric structures. Enrollment is limited and this event is suitable for ages 8 and above. 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. $15, Albertine Press, 1309 Cambridge St., Cambridge
Wednesday, April 18
Mike the Bubble Man brings magic and science to the stage with his interactive bubble show at the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library this morning. This free event takes place from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Boston Public Library, West End Branch, 151 Cambridge St.
The Children’s Museum in Easton presents a family-friendly celebration of invention, creativity and resourcefulness throughout school vacation week as part the Cambridge Science Festival. Meet a variety of Makers sharing their knowledge through demonstrations and hands-on activities. $1-$9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., Easton.
Preschool Films at the Boston Public Library
Enjoy short films for preschool-aged children (ages 2-5). This is a free event. 11 a.m., Boston Public LIbrary, 700 Boylston St., Boston.
From giant Twister to special group games, a twist-off competition and Twister Bingo, there’s sure to be fun for all at Patriot Place’s Twister Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outdoors between 5 Wits and Red Robin. Rain location will be the Patriot Place Activity Center, across from Bar Louie. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
Mythical Performances: Mystic Paper Beasts
Head on over to the Museum of Fine Arts today for a journey with Mystic Paper Beasts. Using masks, puppets, movement and sound Artistic Director Marya Ursin uses them all to perform the Hindu tale of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. Performances last 30-40 minutes and are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.
Celebrating its 40th year, the Big Apple Circus is at Assembly Row in Somerville throughout school vacation week. Tickets start at $19. Performances today at Noon and 4 p.m., Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville.
Free Admission to Harvard’s Peabody Museum and its Museum of Natural History
Enjoy Free admission to Harvard’s Peabody Museum this afternoon where you can visit towering Native American totem poles and precious artifacts of the ancient world, along with other incredible exhibits. Admission to the Harvard Museum of Natural History is also included. 3-5 p.m., Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge.
This family-friendly workshop, as part of Cambridge Science Week events, will teach you how to use traditional paper folding techniques to create intricate icosahedra and other geometric structures. Enrollment is limited and this event is suitable for ages 8 and above. 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. $15, Albertine Press, 1309 Cambridge St., Cambridge.
Children in Grades 1-6 can register for this free science circus of hands-on exploration at WonderLab at Lesley University as part of the Cambridge Science Festival. Rotate between different stations and participate in activities focused on plants, animals, sound, water, rocks, engineering design, and technology with Lesley graduate students and faculty. 4:30-6 p.m., WonderLab at Lesley University, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
Thursday, April 19
The Children’s Museum in Easton presents a family-friendly celebration of invention, creativity and resourcefulness throughout school vacation week as part the Cambridge Science Festival. Meet a variety of Makers sharing their knowledge through demonstrations and hands-on activities. $1-$9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., Easton.
New England Aquarium Touch Tank
The New England Aquarium Touch Tank comes to the Boston Public Market this morning. Engage with live ocean animals while learning how seafood is caught or farmed. 11 a.m. to 2 p.,m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Patriot Place Giant Games Party
If you like games, you’ll love this event featuring giant chess, checkers, Connect Four, tic tac toe, dots, Jenga, Operation, Kerplunk and more. You can also make a Spiral Art to take home and even win some prizes. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., located between 5 Wits and Red Robin (rain location will be the Patriots Place Activity Center across from Bar Louie). Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
Celebration its 40th year, the Big Apple Circus is at Assembly Row in Somerville throughout school vacation week. Tickets start at $19. Performances today at Noon and 4 p.m., Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville.
Shark Stories at the New England Aquarium
At this family-friendly event, Brian Skerry shares his personal journey with sharks and highlights several species including: tiger sharks, makos, oceanic whitetips, and great whites. His latest book for children is entitled “The Ultimate Book of Sharks.” Register on New England Aquarium’s website. 7-8:30 p.m., The New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston.
Friday, April 20
Rollercoasters, Race Cars & Marble Runs
Build your own rollercoaster at the Lesley STEAM Learning Lab makerspace during this free event as part of the Cambridge Science Festival. You can also make your own cardboard marble run or test out a huge collection of Match Box cars and tracks. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the session. For children Grades K-5. Register online in advance. 9-11 a.m., Lesley STEAM Learning Lab, 1815 Mass Ave., Cambridge.
Nautical Day at the MIT Museum
Scientists from MIT and other ocean-focused organizations will be on hand for Nautical Day at the MIT Museum. Learn about efforts to better understand our planet, see latest advances in oceanographic science, dive into some hands-on nautical explorations and more. Free with the price of museum admission. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
Celebration its 40th year, the Big Apple Circus is at Assembly Row in Somerville throughout school vacation week. Tickets start at $19. Performances today at Noon and 4 p.m., Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville.
Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance!
Catch all your favorite characters come to life in Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance at the Agganis Arena April 20-22. Tickets start at $21. 2 p.m., Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Story Time with the Boston Ballet
Enjoy stories about famous dancers at story time with the Boston Ballet for children ages 2 and up. This story time also includes a movement experience highlighting major themes of the story, all let by Boston Ballet faculty dance educators. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library, 35 Harvard Ave., Hyde Park.
Mythical Performances: Mystic Paper Beasts
Head on over to the Museum of Fine Arts today for a journey with Mystic Paper Beasts. Using masks, puppets, movement and sound Artistic Director Marya Ursin uses them all to perform the Hindu tale of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. Performances last 30-40 minutes and are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.
Candy Land game fans, Patriots Place is featuring life-sized versions of the game today complete with a trail through peppermint forest and lollipop woods, past the ice cream seas to King Kandy’s Castle. And you can win a prize every time. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., between 5 Wits and Red Robin at Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Place, Foxboro.
