Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground
City of Cambridge Kids let their imaginations run (truly) wild at this fairy-tale-like 30,000-square-foot playground, which includes benches shaped like animals, a music area where kids can play rain and chime sounds, and a splash pad in the summertime. Universal design details like a sensory hilltop tricked out with a marimba and a wheelchair-accessible maze and swings add to the welcoming spirit, as do the cheery wildlife murals from Dominic Killiany, a Watertown artist with autism. Cambridge, MA 02138,
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
Whether zooming down a zipline or maneuvering through tunnels, all kids feel welcome at this Wellesley play space. That’s because every piece of equipment in the (pristine) gym is sensory-friendly, including the “crash pit” with weighted blankets and a calming room for when your little one needs a break from the action. Some staffers have special needs, too, and everyone is warm and accommodating. 34 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02482, werockthespectrumwellesley.com.
Supercharged Entertainment
When you need a place for your kiddos to get their energy out, but the weather just isn’t cooperating (isn’t that basically every weekend now?), this expansive Wrentham entertainment center offers hours upon hours of indoor fun. Beyond the standard trampolines, you’ll find bumper cars, laser tag, axe throwing, a “Ninja Wipeout” course, and more. We especially love the kid-friendly on-site restaurant and tavern so we can have a quick-and-easy answer to the unavoidable question at the end of every play session — “where’s lunch”? 40 Commerce Blvd., Wrentham, MA 02093, superchargedma.com.
Kodomo
Kodomo Boston Once upon a time, children’s clothing was built to last and could be passed down from generation to generation. With two sweet storefronts on Beacon Hill and the South End, Kodomo still operates with that ethos in mind, offering baby and kids’ brands that are as durable and sustainable as they are stylish. Add in genuinely helpful salespeople and whimsical wooden toys (buy your favorite budding feminist a Ruth Bader Ginsburg doll), and you have your new favorite shopping spot. Multiple locations, MA kodomoboston.com.
Beach House
Kids with winter birthdays, rejoice! It’s always summer at this perpetual party house, where even January and February babies can celebrate with cornhole, Frisbee, wiffle ball, and volleyball on a 15,000-square-foot indoor beach, complete with soft, heated sand (yes, there are showers). Parents, meanwhile, can chill in a comfy lounge outfitted with Bose sound systems and large-screen TVs. 18 Tech Cir., Natick, MA 01760, beachhouseboston.com.
Henry Bear’s Park
Pat Piasecki Bradlees. Child World. Toys “R” Us. These shops were once staples of a Boston childhood that have since been gobbled up by e-commerce. Only quirky Henry Bear’s Park has stood the test of time since the first location opened in Cambridge 48 years ago, selling classic, gender-neutral toys — and, crucially, wrapping them in cheery yellow paper for party-bound parents. Continue reading ... Multiple locations, henrybear.com.
Museum of Science
Courtesy of the Museum of Science Dinos may no longer roam the earth, but you can still spot a few in Boston — specifically, inside the Museum of Science, which houses both models and 65-million-year-old fossils that promise to captivate imaginations young and old. It’s just one of the many awesome exhibits and shows that make it worth setting aside a full day for a visit here — and now that the museum is gearing up for a major renovation and reinvention of 10,000 square feet of space, we can’t wait to see what educational fun the future holds. One Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, mos.org.
Yellow Door Taqueria
Kid-friendly perks here include speedy service, a noise level that will make your squirmer blend in, churros for dessert, and spacious outdoor seating. Adult-only bonuses are mature-palate tacos like chili-braised duck with vanilla-plantain purée, full-throttle cocktails (including eight kinds of margaritas), and reservations so you’re not circling the host stand with a yowling kid. Can’t get out of the house? They even deliver. Multiple locations, yellowdoortaqueria.com.
Duckling Day
Duckling Day 2024 / Courtesy Friends of the Public Garden. Boston parents love this event, and for good reason. It’s centered around the beloved storybook Make Way for Ducklings (not a character their little ones know from a screen). It takes place in — and helps support — the Public Garden and Common. And, honestly, what’s cuter than kids dressed up as ducklings? Oh yeah, and there’s lots to make the little ones happy, too, including goody bags, live music, magic, and, of course, marching in a parade. friendsofthepublicgarden.org.
Michelson’s Shoes
Generations of MetroWest kids (and their well-clad parents) have slid into the metal shoe-measuring device at Michelson’s while a salesperson knelt down to ensure the perfect fit. While the painstaking service is timeless, you’ll always find a deep inventory of contemporary brands, from New Balance to Sorel, that promise to make back-to-school shopping with even the most discerning minis a little easier. 1082 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492. 1780 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420, michelsonshoes.com.
The Langham, Boston
Courtesy P&Co. Ltd. Let’s be honest: Staying at a hotel is a fun experience for kids no matter the amenities. But if you’re looking to wow your little one with the experience of his or her lifetime, there’s no place better than the Langham, which is offering a “Playtime with Paddington” staycation with all kinds of special surprises now through December. The package includes a Paddington-themed room with a kids’ tent, a plush bear, a cookie-decorating kit, and even a child-size Paddington bathrobe and slippers — which your little explorer can wear down to the indoor pool, complete with water toys. 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA 02110, langhamhotels.com.
Tadpole
In the wide-world-of-Amazon era, Tadpole’s local, tightly curated baby registry is like a soft blanket for nervous parents-to-be. The team has selected the best of the best so you don’t need to, from top-notch travel systems from Doona and UppaBaby to 3 Sprouts and Baby Björn feeding accessories. Then there are the thoughtful and sometimes cheeky extras (what new mom doesn’t want a “queso” sweatshirt?), as well as customized mother-to-be boxes for shower guests who don’t have a clue. Best of all? The South End brick-and-mortar headquarters is staffed by friendly humans, not chatbots. 58 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116, shoptadpole.com.