Things to Do with Kids

A shortlist of cherry-picked events NYC and Boston areas.  These are the things we'd actually want to spend time and money doing.

Got intel on a good upcoming event? Tell us:  

Jun 10

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29

Jun 10

Twin Cities

Jun 10

Groovin’ In The Garden Free Summer Music Series

Start:

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

6:00 pm

End:

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

8:00 pm

Spread out a blanket & join Como Zoo & Conservatory for these FREE outdoor concerts & activities in front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory on Wednesdays June 10 – July 29 from 6pm–8pm during the summer!

They will also have a climbing wall, some bouncy balls, and hula-hoops for the young and old alike! Beer, wine, pop, ice cream, and popcorn will be available to purchase.

Full 2026 line-up:

  • June 10: Innocent Reggae Band – Roots Reggae (POLJAM Food Truck)
  • June 17: Miss Georgia Peach – Classic Country – Hee-Haw vibes(Brick Oven Pizza Food Truck)
  • June 24: Jellyjacket – Rock ‘n Roll (Heavy Metal Grill Food Truck)
  • July 1: Em and the Gems – Rock and Pop Originals(KMC Eggrolls Food Truck)
  • July 8: Salsa del Soul – High-Energy Latin Dance Music (Rosa Frida Food Truck)
  • July 15: J-Mo On The Beat and The J- Lighters – Rockabilly, Blues, and Indie (Sizzling Wagon Food Truck)
  • July 22: Red Eye Ruby – Blending elements of Soul, Blues and R&B (Brick Oven Pizza Food Truck)
  • July 29: School of Rock –St. Paul & Plymouth House Bands(Sandy’s Grill & Italian Ice Food Truck)

Location

1225 Estabrook Drive

St. Paul, MN 55103

Website

Jun 11

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19

Jun 11

NYC

Jun 11

Free World Cup Watch Parties at Pier 86

Start:

Thursday, June 11, 2026

9:00 am

End:

Sunday, July 19, 2026

9:00 pm

The world’s most popular sporting event returns to North America for the first time since 1994 and The Intrepid Museum will host public viewing parties for more than 50 World Cup matches on Pier 86, providing a dramatic and unique setting to cheer on your favorite team!

Multiple large screens will be set up throughout the Pier, with food, beverages, and merchandise available for purchase. The 39-day tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. See the full schedule here.

FREE!

Location

Pier 86

640 W 46th St

New York, NY 10036

Website

Jun 16

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30

Jun 16

NYC

Jun 16

Colors of Pride

Start:

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

10:30 am

End:

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

4:15 pm

Celebrate and uplift the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community through programs created to spark Pride, foster community, and self-worth at the Children's Museum of Manhattan!

  • Pop-Up Pride Flag
    Tuesday – Thursday, June 16 – 18; Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up
    Get your painter’s cap on and engineer an upcycled giant Pride flag on a huge canvas! Stack and build a rainbow sculpture of found objects and recyclables in fun and imaginative ways.
  • Tying Colorful Hand Kites
    Tuesday – Thursday, June 16 – 18; Monday & Tuesday, June 29 – 30 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger
    Which colors represent you? Tie or tape different colors of ribbon to a ring. Watch the ribbons dance in the air as you hold your kite and strut with pride!

Location

The Tisch Building

212 West 83rd Street

New York, NY 10024

Website

Jun 16

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16

Jun 16

Twin Cities

Jun 16

Pop Up Splash Pads

Start:

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

4:00 pm

End:

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

6:00 pm

FREE!

Grab your towels, throw on your swimsuits, and get ready to have fun!

Join the Maple Grove Fire, Police and Parks & Recreation Departments for a splashing good time as the fire truck sprays water high in the air, perfect for running, laughing, and cooling off. Dive into fun water games and enjoy icy cool treats. Firefighters will be on site to answer your burning questions including how to create a family escape plan and proper use of smoke alarms. Police will have a squad car open for tours, it’s the ultimate way to beat the heat, so don’t miss this water-filled fun time!

(If weather is questionable, please contact the weather hot-line at 763-494-5959 for cancellations or updates)

  • June 16: Grove West (7520 Inland Lane N., Maple Grove, MN 55311)
  • July 14: Boundary Creek (10455 Nathan Lane N., Maple Grove, MN 55331)
  • August 18: Thoresen Park (6259 Eagle Lake Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55331)

Appropriate for all ages!

Location

7520 Inland Lane N.

Maple Grove, MN 55311

Website

Jun 17

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23

Jun 17

Greater Boston

Jun 17

StoryWalk® "Juneteenth for Mazie"

Start:

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

9:00 am

End:

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

4:30 pm

A StoryWalk® is a fun way to get outside and enjoy a new book!

Go on a StoryWalk® at the Acton Discovery Museum to read Juneteenth for Mazie, a story about a young girl learning to celebrate Juneteenth. Follow the trail of pages to see how Mazie remembers the struggle and triumph of her ancestors and prepares to celebrate Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrated each year on June 19th to mark the day when news of the end of slavery reached Galveston, Texas, ensuring the last enslaved people in the United States were freed—a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.  

Included in museum admission.

Location

177 Main Street (Route 27)

Acton, Massachusetts 01720

Website

Jun 19

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19

Jun 19

Greater Boston

Jun 19

Juneteenth at Old Sturbridge Village

Start:

Friday, June 19, 2026

9:30 am

End:

Friday, June 19, 2026

5:00 pm

On June 19, commemorate and explore the history, resilience, and culture of Black people in America at Old Sturbridge Village. Engage in discussions and ask yourself “what can I do to further educate myself?” about the past and how it informs the present day!

Highlights include:

  • A performance by gospel choir Anthony Smith and Fully Committed
  • Exhibit of antislavery writings in the Richardson House
  • Take an “Uncomfortable Truths” walking tour and engage in themed conversations with costumed historians
  • Take part in a Kids Freedom Parade
  • And more!

What is Juneteenth? How does it connect to Old Sturbridge Village?

Juneteenth is a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. More specifically, it marks the day in 1865 when troops arrived in Galveston Texas to ensure the freedom of those enslaved at the time, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The road to emancipation was a long one and although slavery wasn’t abolished in the country until decades after the Village’s time period, many seeds of abolition were sown in the first half of the 19th century through lectures, art, articles, books, and other forms of activism.

Attendence is FREE but pre-registration is recommended! Register here!

Location

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road

Sturbridge, MA 01566

Website

Jun 19

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19

Jun 19

Greater Boston

Jun 19

Summer Teddy Adventure Workshop

Start:

Friday, June 19, 2026

11:00 am

End:

Friday, June 19, 2026

11:45 am

Join Legacy Moments at Happy Hearts in Norwell for a special summer workshop filled with creativity, imagination, and memories!

Includes:

  • Your own teddy bear
  • Their NEW Summer Adventure journal to decorate and personalize
  • Fun creative supplies + summer accessories for your teddy

All materials included.

During the workshop, children will decorate their journal, create fun accessories for their teddy, explore creative materials, and enjoy time playing in the space. They will also be sharing details about their Summer Teddy Contest at the event!

Best for ages 3–6, but all are welcome.

Register here!

Location

Happy Heart Playspace

119 Washington St

Norwell, MA 02160

Website

Jun 19

 -

19

Jun 19

NYC

Jun 19

Celebrate Juneteenth

Start:

Friday, June 19, 2026

11:00 am

End:

Friday, June 19, 2026

3:00 pm

Celebrate freedom and Black joy at Brooklyn Children's Museum's community Juneteenth gathering in Brower Park!

Move to live music, create art together, and celebrate at this FREE event that’s open to all.

Presented with Council Member Chi Ossé, Friends of Brower Park, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and Brooklyn Public Library.

Programs in Brower Park are FREE! BCM is open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm for general admission.

Location

Brooklyn Ave & Prospect Pl

Brooklyn, NY 11213

Website

Jun 20

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20

Jun 20

Greater Boston

Jun 20

Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5k

Start:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

9:00 am

End:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

12:30 pm

The 5K is the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year at Wachusett Mountain, raising funds for safety awareness and violence-prevention initiatives.

In addition to the 5K race, there is a Kids’ Fun Run and a post-race party including a DJ, food and beverages, raffles, and silent auction. The course at beautiful Wachusett Mountain is mostly flat with two short hills (run or walk!). Proceeds from the race will go to The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Register here! ($30/adults, $15/kids race)

*There will be plenty of parking, but please follow directions from the attendants as part of the racecourse goes through the lot and will close at 9:50 am while race is underway.

Location

499 Mountain Rd

Princeton MA 01541

Website

Jun 20

 -

20

Jun 20

Greater Boston

Jun 20

Craft & Play Pizza Party!

Start:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

10:00 am

End:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

12:00 pm

Little ones can create a hand-painted birdhouse gift perfect for Dad, Grandpa, or anyone special this Father's Day!

Each child will design and paint their own wooden birdhouse during a guided craft session. Then, explore Little Hands' playroom for an hour of exclusive private playtime while your masterpiece is sealed and dried.

Wrap it up with a pizza lunch – juice, pizza, and fun all included. Once everyone's tummies are full, you'll go home with a prize!

Get your tickets & secure your spot now! From $38/child.

Location

Little Hands Crafts

409 Columbia Rd

Hanover, MA 02339

Website

Jun 20

 -

20

Jun 20

NYC

Jun 20

Amazon Juneteenth Free Day - SI Children's Museum

Start:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

10:00 am

End:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

5:00 pm

Amazon is sponsoring a free admission day (with pre-registration) at Staten Island Children's Museum in honor of Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the Confederate states. It celebrates the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the farthermost edges of the Union at the time.

REGISTER HERE

Location

1000 Richmond Terrace

Building M

Staten Island, NY 10301

Website

Jun 20

 -

26

Jun 20

Twin Cities

Jun 20

2026 Special Olympics USA

Start:

Saturday, June 20, 2026

6:30 pm

End:

Friday, June 26, 2026

9:30 pm

Welcome the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, a monumental celebration of ability and inclusion, to the beautiful Twin Cities!

Their mission is to create an inclusive event that celebrates ABILITY, delivers the highest quality experiences for all who participate, and leaves a legacy of positive change in Minnesota.

The Games are scheduled to take place from June 20-26, 2026, at the University of Minnesota (the official host venue). In addition to the university, the event will unfold across other premier locations, including the National Sports Center in Blaine.

They anticipate the participation of 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches representing all 50 states, engaging in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports (both traditional and Unified, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together).

Learn more about volunteering here!

Get tickets to the opening ceremony here!

Find more information about visiting the games here.

Location

Various, across the city, including Huntington Bank Stadium and other University of MN sites

Website