There’s plenty of padded, bouncy fun to be found in this indoor trampoline park. The prices are pretty reasonable, and walk-ins are welcome. There is also a Sky Zone location in Everett, which is just north of Boston. 

The oldest indoor inflatable and jumping facility in New England is full of just that: inflatable structures that can endure the frantic bouncing of several kids at once. Pro tip: Bring or wear socks. No shoes or sneakers allowed. 

If your future archaeologist loves dinosaurs, rocks, and taxidermied animals, this is the spot.

Pick the galleries that interest your kiddos the most (the Great Mammal Hall and the Vertebrate Paleontology exhibits are always a good place to start), and be on the lookout for storytimes and family-oriented classes.

Parents will love the Museum of Fine Art’s extensive 500,000-piece collection, including an impressive Egyptian exhibit and a stunning number of Impressionist works. But kids can also have a blast here. Grab the MFA Guide: Kids’ Tour, sign your kiddo up for a weekend art class, and be on the lookout for self-guided activities for everyone from toddlers to teens.

We like the Franklin Park Zoo at any time of year, thanks to an interactive children’s zoo, well-maintained grounds, and exhibits that cover all the major animals. Still need to run out some energy? Hit the 10,000-square-foot playground.

Come for the natural beauty of this 485-acre Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, stay for a plethora of playground options sure to please any crowd, even during the colder months. Older kids should head to El Parquecito de Hermandad for rock climbing and a zip line, while younger kids will like the Tiffany Moore playground area. Also: Sledding.

Budding builders shouldn’t miss a stop at Legoland Discovery Center, set in Somerville’s Assembly Row complex. It’s a good choice whenever the weather is too hot or too cold, and kids can marvel at a miniature Lego Boston or play in the climbing-wall area.

Both the Boston Public Library system and the surrounding Minuteman library system for Cambridge, Somerville, et al, offer a ton of storytimes and activities for families. But, if you have to pick just one, head to the Children’s Library at the central library in Boston’s Copley Square. Whimsical decor and brightly colored walls—including a very cool sensory wall—complement an extensive collection of books for grades 8 and under.

Don’t be deterred by the touristy nature of the duck boats or the colder weather; they are still a great way to see the city. Guests board the World War II-era amphibious landing vehicles and head out on a 90-minute tour that’s part terrestrial and part aquatic via the Charles River. Bonus: Many captains will even let kids take a turn in the cockpit.

One of the oldest children’s theatrical organizations in the country, Boston Children’s Theatre presents classic and contemporary productions through classes, workshops, and live performances.

You can check out the shows here, and note that venue locations may differ (although many performances are at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA).

Got a budding arborist? Right next to Boston Common is the lusher 24 acres of the Public Garden, America’s oldest public botanical garden. It, too, is full of attractions, including statuary—the Make Way for Ducklings and the George Washington statues are probably the most famous—as well as (of course) plenty of foliage that looks particularly quaint in the wintertime. 

The oldest public park in the United States offers something for everyone, no matter the season.

In the winter, the Common’s famous Frog Pond becomes one giant ice-skating rink, complete with skate rentals. There is also a large year-round playground right next to it.

Start the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common and then follow the red line on the sidewalk past many of the region’s most popular Revolutionary-era historical sites.

Bundle up, though! Adolescents will probably make it through the complete trail just fine in the winter, but the wee-er ones might wilt.

Hop aboard “Old Ironsides” and you’ll be walking on the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. Kids can tour the warship as well as interactive museum exhibits that examine life at sea and maritime history.

Created as an immersive experience to help kids and adults understand the beginnings of the American Revolution, this hands-on museum brings history to life. Interact with costumed live actors before boarding a historically accurate replica of the Tea Party ships and tossing “tea crates” into the water.

The visit ends with a museum tour and snacks in a period-appropriate tea room.

Watching sea turtles, fish, and sharks swim in the 200,000-gallon Caribbean coral reef tank is impressive enough, but there’s plenty more to be seen at the region’s preeminent aquarium. Children will get a kick out of touching a sea urchin in the tide-pool exhibit, watching penguins swim, or catching the latest IMAX movie. Pro tip: The aquarium can be especially cozy and warm during the wintertime, so check your coats and hats at the door.

This museum is open every Saturday, and includes pieces, touchable and otherwise, from the long history of Boston’s bravest. Donations are welcome, and the museum is amid one of the region’s more pedestrian-friendly areas. 

There are seven ice-skating rinks in the City of Boston the the state Department of Conservation and Recreation maintain. This is the schedule for them this winter. We’re highlighting the one in Dorchester that opens on November 29. All locations have skate rentals available.