As summer approaches, parents in the Boston area can breathe a sigh of relief – there are plenty of enjoyable activities and events that will keep kids entertained during the summer season!
Whether your kids want to stay away from the heat or you’re looking for fun ideas to enjoy under the sun, we’ve compiled a list of the top 2023 summer events for kids in and around Boston, so you don’t have to go searching!
With a great variety of summer camps and family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a list of our top picks for 2023 featured summer events for kids and families in Boston (and make sure to take a look at the other fun recurring events HERE)
Enjoy your summer days with a fun, interactive reading experience for visitors of all ages!
Led by staff trained in the Whole Book Approach, visitors will share stories through movement, song, and play while looking closely and learning about the art and design of picture books.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11 AM | Saturday, 11 AM, 2 PM | Sunday at 2 PM | Year-round.
Kids in Grades K-12 can join these weekly Animal Science and Zoology classes every Wednesday during the school year from 9 am to 12 pm.
They will learn all about zoo management, conservation, animal behavior, and agriculture.
Location:
Animal Adventures Family Zoo and Rescue Center
DATES:
Every Wednesday | 9 AM- 12 PM
Now throughout the whole summer, families will get up close and personal with the most fascinating prehistoric creatures from the mighty T. rex of North America to the giant amphibious Spinosaurus from Africa!
Activities include digging up fossils, learning about cutting-edge research, seeing many varieties of animatronic dinosaurs, and enjoying exciting activities to immerse the entire family in the age of dinosaurs.
Location:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
DATES:
Daily, 11 AM- 7 PM | Until September 4.
Drawing inspiration from the works of Claire Nivola, participants will get to experiment with watercolors and create their own paintings of places they love.
This activity encourages creativity and allows individuals to express their love for their favorite places through art.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
June 7 – July 16
The Minni Family Workshop – Garden Party invites young gardeners and their caregivers to paint and plant marigold seeds in a terracotta pot.
The workshop includes a book reading and instruction from a Minni instructor. Additionally, participants can enjoy creative activities such as printing with petals and exploring a sensory garden!
Location:
Minni Space
DATES:
June 3 | 10:30 AM 11:30 AM
During this Summer Art program, kids will use the full studio space AND the great new outdoor area with the art tent under the tree!
Location:
beehive art studio
DATES:
Early Bird ART for kids 4 – 6 years: June 12 – 15 | June 19 – 22 | Monday – Thursday 9:30 AM – 12 PM | Summer ART for kids 5 – 12 years: June 26 – 29 | July 10 – 13 | July 24 – 27 | August 7 – 10 | August 14 – 17 | Monday – Thursday 9:30 AM – 1 PM | Castle ART camp for kids 5 and up: July 17 – 20 | August 21 – 24 | Monday- Thursday 9:30 AM – 1 PM
Join Berkshire Hills Music Academy’s Mary Westgate for a fun, music-filled storytime featuring singing, musical instruments, and braille books.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
11- 11:30 AM | June 16 | July 21 | August 18 | September 15
Families can join the Eric Carle Museum and certified children’s yoga instructor, Lorrie Heard to explore movement and fun inspired by the beautiful nature in Bobbie’s Meadow!
The class will be geared towards ages 3–6, but parents and siblings are welcome.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
11:30 AM- 12:30 PM | June 17
During Minni Family Workshop – Summer Shades, a Minni instructor will guide students through a variety of projects focused on play and warm shades, including balloon prints, sticky collaborative collages, and giant sun paintings.
Soak in the Sunday summer sun with your creative little one!
Location:
Minni Space
DATES:
June 18, 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM
Happier Family Comedy Show is geared for kids ages 5-12, and it’s packed full of high energy and family-friendly funnies!
Each improv show is an hour long, all new, and created on the spot based on audience members’ suggestions and participation.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
3 PM- 4 PM | June 17
These programs at Capron Park Zoo are designed to inspire a love of nature, respect for animals, and a passion for conservation through a fun and exciting combination of age-appropriate games, outdoor adventures, and as much hands-on learning as possible.
Location:
Capron Park Zoo
DATES:
Outdoor Adventures for 5-6-year-olds: Monday- Friday 9 AM- 3 PM| RADICAL REPTILES, FEATHERED FRIENDS AND MIGHTY MAMMALS: June 19-23, August 21-25 | IMAGINARIUM, July 24-28 | Outdoor Adventures for 7-8-year-olds: Monday- Friday 9 AM- 3 PM | ANIMAL GAMES: June 26-30, July 31-August 4 | ANIMAL ART: July 10-14, August 7-11 | Outdoor Adventures for 9-10-year-olds: Monday- Friday 9 AM- 3 PM |
BIODIVERSITY ROCKS: July 10 – 14 | August 7 – 11 | ANIMAL INVESTIGATION: July 17 – 21 | August 14 – 18
Kids will make chocolate recipes from A to Z!
In this tasty camp, kids will put their culinary creativity to the test as they whip up mouthwatering treats both savory and sweet.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
June 19-23 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
During this week, kids in grades 1- 7 will celebrate Juneteenth and freedom for all.
Students will learn about the history of Juneteenth and celebrate diversity and freedom through original artistic creations.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
June 19 – 23, 9 AM- 4 PM
Great Small Works will perform a selection of their miniature puppetry “toy theater” works: two short pieces, bookending a live music segment.
The daytime Mainstage performances will include We Love Trees, live music, and Lyzer The Miser. The evening Puppets at Night performances will include We Love Trees, live music, and Living Newspaper.
Location:
PUPPET SHOWPLACE THEATER
DATES:
June 23, 8 PM | June 24, 1 PM and 8 PM | June 25, 1 PM
Join author/illustrator E. B. Goodale as she presents her new book, The Moon Remembers.
Following storytime, E. B. will brainstorm with guests to create a live drawing of the many kinds of babies in our world.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
June 25, 2 PM- 2:30 PM
Summer Arts consist of weekly thematic art classes for children in Grades K-5 and media-specific classes for children in Grades 6-8.
The 2023 theme is Art in Nature. Each day students will enjoy a new artistic exploration of the week’s theme relating to the flora, fauna, and unique geographical features found in nature!
Location:
Danforth Art Museum
DATES:
June 26 – August 25
A tinkering camp is being offered for girl-identified kids between the ages of 7 and 13.
The camp provides opportunities to solder, sew, play, code, draw, dance, and create.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
June 26- June 30 | 9 AM -3 PM.
The 2023 Summer Program at Muckykids is a unique opportunity for kids to indulge, explore, and expand their love of art and craft! Kids will participate in a variety of hands-on projects from different weekly themes that allow for experimentation with the concepts, techniques, and supplies.
Mornings will be spent in the studio and then have a picnic lunch and outside play in the afternoons!
Location:
Muckykids Art Studio
DATES:
Art & Nature (June 26 – 30) | Fiber Arts (July 3 – 7) | Paper and Print (July 10 – 14) | Upcycled Toy Making (July 17 – 21) | Art and Science (July 24 – 28) | Miniature Worlds and Make-Believe (July 31 – August 4) | Sculpture (August 7 – 11)
The Minni Summer Program consists of ten individually themed weeks of summer programming for little artists ages 4–9.
The Minni Summer Program schedule offers weekly art + design programs; extended day Lunch + Play option; rotating design themes led by teaching artists + professional educators; daily outdoor art-making (weather permitting); and scheduled field trips to select local galleries, businesses, and studios!
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
June 26–September 1 | Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM and 1:30–4:30 PM
Animal Adventures day camps are an exciting way for kids around Boston to spend a summer vacation!
All Animal Adventures programs are developed in accordance with Massachusetts educational standards and curriculum for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Location:
Animal Adventures Family Zoo and Rescue Center
DATES:
Monday- Friday, 9 AM- 12 PM | June 26- August 25
Kids ages 4-10 will take a deep dive into the fantastic world of water!
Kids will play and experiment with all things water inspired by fish prints, sand slime, and mythical sea creature creation. Students will also explore and learn about underwater worlds, discussing plants and animals alike.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
June 26- 30, 9 AM- 12 PM | July 10-14
Kids will taste the country’s regional flavors as they head on this sweet and savory chef’s adventure.
From Bagels in New York City to Bald Eagle Cupcakes in Washington D.C., each day they’ll explore the local zest of new cities throughout the good ole U.S.A.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
June 26- 30 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids in grades 1-7 will explore animals of the Amazon, Congo, from sloths and spider monkeys to tapirs and tree frogs!
Students will explore shape, texture, color, and mark-making during this wild and wonderful week of art.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
June 26-30, 9 AM- 4 PM
Little artists of ages 4-10 will embark on a wild expedition in the studio jungle to explore the homes and habitats of beloved creatures!
Kids will use a mix of materials and techniques to recreate habitats from around the globe and imaginary worlds of their own. Planned projects include camouflaged creations, deep blue underwater collages, and colorful animal masks!
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
June 26- 29, 9 AM- 2 PM | July 17- 20
Nicole’s Art Spot Summer Program offers children week-long in-person intensive arts and crafts classes and workshops.
Class sizes are limited to 6 kids. Parents can also schedule individual or small group classes.
Location:
Nicole’s Art Spot
DATES:
June 26- 30, 10 AM-noon: Fun Arts and Crafts Ages: 5-9 | June 26- 30, 1-3 PM: Fun Art and Crafts – for kids 8-10 Ages: 8-10 | July 5- 7, 10 AM-noon: Fun Art & Crafts – 3 days Ages: 5-10 | July 5 – 7, 1-3 PM: Fun Arts and Crafts – 3 days for kids 8-10 | July 17-21, 10 AM to noon: Fun Arts and Crafts Ages: 5-8 | July 31- August 4, 10 AM-noon: Fun art and Crafts – for kids 8-10
Kids ages 4-10 will put their amazing imaginations to work while getting hands-on with the process that makes the magic of toy-making happen.
Drawing, planning, and building skills will all play a part in the fun of exploring the toy creation process. Engineers + product designers will construct crazy cars, build winding mazes and design the most puzzling puzzles.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
June 26-30, 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM
Kids will create dollhouse furniture, play role-playing games, design 3D printed characters, hack dolls, make dioramas, and more!
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
July 3-7, 9 AM- 3 PM
During this cooking camp, kids will explore a variety of baking techniques from creating the perfect pie crust to drizzling a freshly made glaze.
Campers will whip up a great line-up of sweet and savory recipes including handmade bread, delicious pies, scrumptious muffins, and cookies!
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
July 3-7 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids will get to dive into the wildly creative and interdisciplinary world of puppetry arts!
They will learn the secrets of crafting extraordinary puppet characters and bringing them to life. Students will work with professional puppeteers, as they create a puppet, learn the skills involved in bringing the puppet character to life, and share their creations with an audience.
Location:
PUPPET SHOWPLACE THEATER
DATES:
July 5- 7, 9 AM- 3:30 PM
Aspiring astronauts and artists ages 4-10 will explore distant stars and sparkling comets through activities inspired by space, including glittery galaxy paintings, marbled planets, and rocket prints.
Science lovers will delight in gooey green alien slime and plentiful planet experiments!
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 5-7, 9 AM- 12 PM | July 24-26
What does the world look like through a bug’s eyes?
Kids in grades 1-7 will make art inspired by our insect friends. From bug homes like honeycombs and ant colonies to capturing a wide array of textures, colors, and patterns, kids will get to know these little things living in our big world!
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
July 5-7, 9 AM- 4 PM
Little artists of ages 4-10 will create big masterpieces using a wide array of upcycled materials.
Kids will learn from contemporary artists and designers that utilize reclaimed supplies and sustainable practices.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 5- 7, 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM
Come join the BenAnna Band at The Carle for a family-friendly music concert!
Families will go bananas for this high-energy musical duo that will have them singing, dancing, and playing along on live instruments!
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
July 8, 11- 11:45 AM
During the July Kids Puppet Studio, kids ages 7-10 will learn how to build imaginary characters and bring them to life in this hands-on puppet-making studio!
Each day a different puppet-building style and performance technique will be covered!
Location:
PUPPET SHOWPLACE THEATER
DATES:
9 AM- 12 PM, July 10- July 14
Affirm is a newly established week-long camp that is specifically designed for Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming youth.
The camp offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants can engage in exciting crafts, play fun and engaging games, and build a sense of community with like-minded individuals.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
July 10-14, 9 AM- 3 PM
Students will measure, make, trial, and test a variety of liquid and solid recipes each day, observing what goes where and learning measurement units and techniques as they go.
Expect a little hocus pocus and a lot of exciting exploration; projects will include lava lamps and mixing up oobleck slime!
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 10- 14, 9 AM- 12 PM
Boston Children’s Museum’s Explore It Summer Camp offers kids a unique opportunity to form friendships, learn through hands-on activities, exercise their imaginations, and discover through play and exploration!
This week-long summer camp is an experience for curious learners entering grades K-2.
Location:
Boston Children’s Museum
DATES:
Monday-Friday, July 10- August 18
Kids will enjoy a summer vacation without leaving the kitchen!
They will learn new skills and create delicious recipes from s’mores brownies around the campfire, orange creamsicle cookies at a poolside picnic, and fresh crepes on a big city tour!
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
July 10- 14 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids in grades 1-7 will create their own comics in this action-packed week of illustration and storytelling!
Students will learn principles of comic art including caricature, movement, world-building, and story planning as they develop their own graphic stories.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
July 10- 14, 9 AM- 4 PM
Plein-air offers camps for artsy kids ages 7-13 in the summer that include activities with clay, collage, painting, and print! Kids will enjoy a week of outdoor fun and games, varied art projects in the studio and in plein-air, treasure hunts, quests, board games, dance, and more!
Also check out: Plein- Air Art Academy Summer Camp Week 2 (July 17- 21, 9 AM, July 10-14, 9 AM) | Plein- Air Art Academy Summer Camp Week 3 (July 31- August 4) | Plein- Air Art Academy Summer Camp Week 4 (August 7-11) | Plein- Air Art Academy Summer Camp Week 5 (August 21-25) | Plein- Air Art Academy Summer Camp Week 6 (August 28- September 1)
Location:
Plein-Air Art Academy
During this workshop, students will explore the natural world and changing seasons, discussing how plants and animals live together in harmony.
Kids will use a mix of natural and craft materials to create foliage bouquets, sculptural birds, and rainbow gardens!
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 10-14, 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM
During this Enjoy interactive storytime for early learners, families will move, sing, talk, and explore materials!
This event is recommended for children under 5 and their caregivers!
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
July 14, August 11 | 11 AM- 11:45 AM
Kids will hone spy skills by engaging in a variety of activities!
They can look forward to solving mysteries and building both real and imaginary spy devices such as periscopes, spy detectors, laser scopes, and secret identity badges. Additionally, they can learn to escape game design, code-breaking, secret messages, and the art of disguise.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
July 17- 21, 9 AM- 3 PM
Kids will get to create their own toys during a week inspired by game and toy designers!
Students will let their imagination soar with different materials, methods, and mediums and explore color, shape, space, and line while playing along the way.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
July 17- 21, 9 AM- 4 PM
During this camp, kids will master baking techniques from kneading dough to creaming butter and sugar as they recreate their favorite American recipes.
From cake pops to tie-dye bagels, and good old-fashioned apple pie, each budding chef will become a baking master in the making.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
July 17- 21 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
This week little designers will learn the basics of building and balance to create city structures suitable for superheroes.
In addition to studying what superheroes look and wear, students will investigate classic fictional superhero cities, from Argo City to Metropolis. Designs will be drawn and soaring skylines will be stamped as students invent environments and bring iconic personas to life.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 17- 21, 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM
Inspired by the Horse Tales exhibition, during this Everyday Art Project: Horses in Motion, families will experiment with collage and sculpture materials to create artwork that moves.
Location:
THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
DATES:
July 19 – August 27
Kids can look forward to a week of exciting activities, such as creating their own instruments, building electronic music devices, exploring computer-generated music and dance, and more.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
July 24- 28, 9 AM- 3 PM
Kids entering grades 4–6 will hone their observational superpowers and zoom in on the lives of animals while developing their drawing skills!
They will learn about elements of design such as contour, form, and texture as they sketch animals from diverse locations—a tropical rainforest, underwater sea floors, or even imaginary worlds.
Location:
Harvard Museum of Natural History
DATES:
July 31- August 4, 9:30 AM- 12 PM
Kids will engage in friendly battles and medieval-themed activities.
Participants can look forward to a week of water games, boffer swordplay, battle bot competitions, and tabletop gaming.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
July 31 – August 4, 9 AM- 3 PM
Kids in grades 1-7 will blast off on a fun week of creation inspired by the cosmos!
Campers will let their imagination soar as they explore comets, constellations, and black holes. Students will use color, value, and space to create artwork inspired by real and imagined galaxies.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
July 31-August 4, 9 AM- 4 PM
Kids will have the chance to get creative with designs and decorations to make beautiful and tasty sweet treats.
From drizzles to piping, sprinkles to fondant, this camp focuses on decorating and designs. Kids will bake up rainbow donuts, decorate sugar cookies with homemade royal icing, make fondant from scratch, create a custom mini birthday cake, and more.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
July 31-August 4 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
This week, kids will create art inspired by beach fun: rolling waves, shells and sandcastles, sailboats and summer games, picnics, and ice cream.
Campers will explore different textures, colors, and materials as they create artwork inspired by the seaside.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
July 24-28, 9 AM- 4 PM
Kids entering grades 4-6 will investigate the ins and outs of skeletons!
Using observations of skulls, bones, and live animals, they will explore how animals use their skeletons for protection, support, and movement. Kids will see how bones and fossils can solve recent and ancient mysteries.
Location:
Harvard Museum of Natural History
DATES:
July 24-28, 9:30 AM- 12 PM
The Minni Places + Spaces program asks these big questions in the accessible context of children’s favorite buildings and destinations.
Kids will explore theories behind the design and construction of playgrounds, parks, towers, and castles, and look closely at local structures for inspiration and study.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
July 24- 28, 9 AM- 12 PM
Little chocolatiers will transform the kitchen into a chocolate factory and whip up classic and unique chocolate treats, both savory and sweet during this fun camp!
From white chocolate to dark chocolate, sprinkles to candies, they will use all of their favorite flavors to create beautiful creations.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
July 24- 28, Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Take a closer look at plants. Some are older than dinosaurs, others eat animals, and many can survive environments that are too extreme for people.
During this week, you will examine living plants, fossils, and even the museum’s glass flowers. Come get your hands dirty to play, experiment, learn, and, of course, grow!
Location:
Harvard Museum of Natural History
DATES:
July 24-38, 9:30 AM- 12 PM
Leaping lemurs, sluggish sloths, burrowing beetles, cagey crows… Kids will explore the world of animals as they travel through museum exhibits, observe live animals up close, and get to know these amazing creatures through crafts, games, and experiments.
Location:
Harvard Museum of Natural History
DATES:
July 31- August 4, 9 AM- 12 PM
From handmade pasta in Italy to dumplings in China, these recipes are going to be so delicious!
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
August 21-25 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids ages 4-10 will take a deep dive into the incredible, awe-inspiring world of color!
In this program, students will experiment with color mixing, different types of paint, and varied painting tools to paint, print and collage works big and small.
Location:
Minni Space LLC
DATES:
9 AM- 2 PM | August 28- 31
Kids will showcase their engineering skills by creating arcades and carnival games.
They will enjoy a range of hands-on workshops, including the creation of giant board games, cardboard arcades, marble mazes, electronic puzzles, and the coding of classic arcade games in Scratch!
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
9 AM- 3 PM, August 21-25
Campers will get to put a creative spin on these classics with some sweet and savory recipes!
From mac & cheese cupcakes to chocolate monster cookies, kids will learn culinary techniques, master new skills, and enjoy creativity in the kitchen.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
August 14-18 | Ages 4-10: 9 AM- 12 PM | Ages 9-13: 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids will get to explore the art of ancient worlds from Egypt and Greece to Mesoamerica.
Students will explore art history, form, and texture as they emulate ancient art and artifacts.
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
August 14-18, 9 AM- 4 PM
An upcoming event offers an exciting opportunity for kids to celebrate all things that light up and glow.
From creating circuits and disco balls to experimenting with LEDs, glow-in-the-dark paint, black lights, campfires, and more, participants can look forward to a week of hands-on workshops that explore the magic of illumination.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
August 14- 18, 9 AM- 3 PM
Dreaming of being a restaurant chef or just love making new recipes?
Kids will explore the ins and outs of restaurant cooking. Focusing on a different type of cuisine each day, budding chefs will learn culinary basics and take it up a notch selecting unique flavors.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
August 7-11, 1 PM- 4 PM
Kids will engage in fiber arts and creative activities.
They will enjoy a variety of hands-on workshops, including crochet, cross-stitch, kumihimo, nålbinding, knitting, sewing, weaving, and other string and fiber-related activities.
Location:
Parts and Crafts
DATES:
9 AM- 3 PM, August 7-11
Kids will enjoy a tasty culinary adventure inspired by their favorite storybooks!
Your chefs will be excited to learn hands-on cooking techniques, try delicious and nutritious ingredients, and read great books.
Location:
Taste Buds Kitchen MA
DATES:
August 7-11, 9 AM- 12 PM
Considering big and small, warm and cool, calm and energetic, and other opposing ideas will help students create dynamic artwork, and encourage unexpected results!
Location:
New Art Center
DATES:
August 7-11, 9 AM- 4 PM
