Summer Family Fun in Boston: Cool Things to Do This Week

Boston parents looking to keep children entertained this week have plenty of options, from free outdoor movies to interactive museum exhibits. The city’s summer programming is in full swing, with events running through late July.

This roundup comes as families across Greater Boston seek safe, engaging activities amid a stretch of warm weather. With many schools on break and the Fourth of July holiday behind us, community centers and parks are hosting events designed for all ages.

Outdoor and Active Fun

The Esplanade Association continues its free Music on the Esplanade series on Wednesday evenings, with a family-focused set starting at 6 p.m. near the Hatch Shell on the Charles River. Kids can dance on the lawn or grab a spot on the benches. The Boston Public Library’s outdoor story time at the Central Library in Copley Square runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., with stories and songs for toddlers and preschoolers. The Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester offers reduced admission for kids under two-free entry-and a new butterfly garden opened last month.

For families who want to explore the coast, the New England Aquarium on Central Wharf hosts daily seal training demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets for children ages 3-11 start at $22.95, with a family four-pack available for $79.00. The aquarium also runs a free “Blue Planet” film series on its outdoor plaza Fridays at dusk.

Indoor Escapes and Learning

The Museum of Science in Cambridge is running its “Summer of Space” program through August 31, featuring a planetarium show about the solar system and hands-on engineering challenges. General admission for adults is $29, kids ages 3-11 pay $23. On Wednesdays, the museum offers a “Family Night” discount from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with tickets at $10 per person. The Boston Children’s Museum on Congress Street has a new “Art Lab” exhibit where kids can paint with recycled materials. Admission is $18 for adults, $18 for children, and $14 for seniors.

For a quieter afternoon, the Boston Public Library system runs free “Summer Reading Challenge” events at branches including the Dudley Branch in Roxbury and the Connolly Branch in Jamaica Plain. Kids can earn prizes for reading five books before August 15. The library also hosts weekly Lego building sessions Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. at the main branch.

Practical Advice for Families

Many of these activities require advance registration, so check the venue’s website or call ahead. Parking near the Esplanade and the Museum of Science can fill up by mid-morning on weekends; consider taking the MBTA Green or Red Line instead. The Franklin Park Zoo offers a shuttle from the Forest Hills T stop on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For free options, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department lists pop-up concerts and movies in parks like the Common and the Public Garden on its website, updated every Friday.