Things to Do with Kids

Boston Lights @ Franklin Park Zoo draws inspiration from natural habitats around the globe, including mountainous plateaus, rainforest canopies and undersea reefs. This year, walk through their shimmering mystical forest, which features floral-themed light tunnels, mythical animal designs, and a majestic glowing owl, measuring over 22 feet tall!

Tickets are required for all attendants (children under 2 are free). 4-pack tickets are offered at a discount. Regular daytime admission does not grant access to the evening Boston Lights event.

Franklin Park Zoo

1 Franklin Park Road

Boston, MA 02121

Parking is free at Franklin Park Zoo! View parking locations on Zoo map

Next Chapter Book Club is a welcoming space at the library for 4th and 5th graders to explore great stories, spark their imaginations, and make new friends.

Each month, they dive into an age-appropriate book and bring it to life through engaging discussions and themed activities—like games, crafts, and quizzes.

In September, participants are reading Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros, in honor of Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Registration is required! To join, please email Heidi at heidi.vonmayr@paloalto.gov. Include your child’s name, grade, and let them know if you’ll need a book.

Mitchell Park Library

3700 Middlefield Rd

Palo Alto CA 94303

Tinkerlab is a library program designed for children 6-12 years old to explore and discover the wonders of STEAM in a fun and interactive way. Sessions will focus on various methods for children to engage in hands-on activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. All materials will be provided.

Tinker with:

• Marble Run
• Magnetic Board and Shape Tile Mosaics
• Fort Builder
• Geemo
• Mag Builder
• Coding Bee
• Legos, Duplos or LightStax
• Craft Supplies
• Little Bits (Circuit Making)
• Magnatiles
• Cube Maze

Try out one of their take-home STEAM kits:

• Young Builders
• Young Coders
• Microbiology
• Circuits

Held every Friday!

Van Cortlandt Library

3882 Cannon Place

Bronx, NY 10463

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Wachusett’s 34th Annual KidsFest is a weekend full of fun for the whole family!

• Saturday is Dino Day – Get up close and personal with some scaly creatures.
• Sunday is Princess & Pirate Day – Come dressed in your best costume and get ready for some magic.
• Children under 5 are free!
• Live animals shows, circus acts, walkaround characters, and more all included with your tickets.
• Food trucks serving up everything from egg rolls to shaved ice.

Full schedule available on their site.

Please note, the venue does not allow dogs or coolers at festivals.

Buy tickets ahead of time, prices will go up day of!

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

499 Mountain Rd

Princeton MA 01541

The National Museum of Mathematics hosts a monthly class where students spend an hour independently working on engaging and beautiful math problems.  Learners choose whichever challenges they like and explore them with the guidance and mentorship of an expert mathematician.  If your child loves to experience the incredible joy of mathematical discovery, you won’t want to miss this enjoyable monthly program.

Hosted on Zoom with level-specific breakout rooms, Math Gym is designed to challenge students in grades 1-12.  The same problem set is offered twice, once at 4:00 pm ET and again at 7:00 pm ET, to accommodate students from across the country.  Each session is one hour in length.

Register here for free!

Virtual, held by the National Museum of Mathematics

The NYC Office of Emergency Management is hosting a day to assist families in planning for rare but devastating events.  Several government and community agencies and first responders will have booths with giveaways and information.  

Come to explore the exhibits, make crafts, and gather helpful supplies and information.

Free admission with pre-registration for all to the Fair and Children’s Museum. Click HERE to register for Sept 27.

1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M

Staten Island, NY 10301

On the Grounds of Snug Harbor

On one Saturday a month this fall, the New York Hall of Science's Explainers will stage some of their most iconic demos at the popular Queens Night Market, starting at 5:30pm.

Can't make this one? The next demos will be held October 25th.

Free event!

7-01 111th Street

Queens, NY

In the parking lot behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park