The 10 Best Boston Summer Programs for Kids

By Kelly Burch

This article originally appeared on Care.com. It has been republished with permission.

Summer may be nearing its end, but kids throughout Boston still get to enjoy weeks of fun. You may have been looking forward to quiet, lazy days at home with the family. But if you’re like most parents, babysitters, or nannies, you’ll probably quickly realize that keeping kids entertained is essential to summer bliss. Giving the little ones opportunities to explore, make new friends, and try new activities during summer programs lets them have fun and gives their caregivers a well-deserved break.

Luckily, families in Boston live in the perfect area for summer entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a camp experience or free summer programing that will keep kids engaged, Boston is brimming with options. Best of all, it’s not too late to take advantage of some of these wonderful programs! Here are 10 of our favorite summer programs for kids in Boston.

Boston Community Boating Inc.’s Youth Program

Address: 21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-523-1038
Fees: Classes range from $1 - $300. Click here for details.

The Community Boating Youth Program allows your child to become part of one of the most iconic Boston scenes: the bright white sails billowing along the Charles River. The Youth Program, also known as the Junior Program, is for any child between the ages of 10 and 17 who can swim 75 yards independently. The sliding-scale fees, which fall between $1 and $300, make it accessible for all families. Community Boating Inc. is the nation’s oldest continuously running sailing center and has been teaching kids the ropes since 1946, so there’s no doubt your little ones will be in good hands. Another great aspect of the program is the flexibility: Kids can come and go as they please, and there’s no need to commit to sailing all summer. The Youth Program incorporates classroom learning and on-the-water sailing lessons, giving your child a summer experience they won’t soon forget

Boston Harbor Islands Junior Ranger Program

Address: 191 W Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-223-8666
Fees: Free

The Boston Harbor Islands are the city’s hidden gem, where you can feel a world away from civilization with just a short ferry ride from our favorite concrete jungle. The islands combine natural wonders -- hills and beaches just waiting to be explored -- with a rich history, complete with old military forts. Simply put, the islands are a kid’s paradise, and now your children can learn even more about the islands with the Junior Ranger Program. To help your son or daughter become a ranger, download the activity booklet before you visit the islands. Once it’s complete, find one of the staff rangers to check it over and bestow official Junior Ranger status.

Outside the Junior Ranger program, the Harbor Islands offer plenty of kids programing. During the summer (starting July 4) there are family-friendly tours on the islands, as well as Lego fort building, and youth fishing. If you’re taking care of a toddler, don’t miss the special programing designed to help the smallest visitors get in touch with the islands’ natural resources. Find out more about all kids’ programming on the Boston Harbor Islands here.

Summer Club at the Boston Children’s Museum

Address: 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-426-6500
Fees: Free

It’s no secret that the Boston Children’s Museum is full of fun activities for little ones, but it also has great programs for older kids. The museum’s Summer Club is specifically designed to deliver some “secret summer learning” to kids ages 6 through 13. The program is free and takes place Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Youth leaders and high school volunteers lead kids through guided activities that revolve around a different subject area each week, ranging from language arts to math or social studies. Kids will be having so much fun they won’t even realize how much they’re learning! Click here for the full calendar.

Berklee Summer in the City

Address: Locations change according to event. Click here for a list.
Phone: 877-BERKLEE
Fees: Free

Although it isn’t specifically for kids or families, the Berklee Summer in the City concert series is something you won’t want to miss! The program brings more than 400 free concerts to venues in Boston and Cambridge. There is a huge variety of artists and genres, as well as locations ranging from the Boston Public Library to Atlantic Wharf. Nearly any day of the summer, you’ll find a free concert just waiting to be discovered. Kids will love swaying and dancing to the beat, and mom and dad will like feeling as if they can still enjoy Boston’s vibrant music scene, no babysitter required.

Zoo New England’s Zoo Camp

Address: Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 | Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham, MA 02180
Phone: 617-541-LION (5466)
Fees: Price varies according to session. Click here for details. (Franklin Park Zoo sessions 4 - 8 run July 17 - Aug. 18. Most Stone Zoo summer camps full.)

Most parents have threatened to send their children to the zoo at one point or another. Here’s your chance to do just that! Send your kids to spend the day among the birds and beasts at the Franklin Park Zoo. Of course, your little zookeeper probably wouldn’t mind being sent to this program, where kids learn about animals and conservation through a different topic each week. The camp is perfect for kids ages 6 through 11, and the sliding-scale fees make it accessible to most families. Twelve- and 13-year-olds can try their hand at becoming a Junior Zookeeper during a two-week program that allows them to work behind the scenes with zoo staff. Stone Zoo also offers summer programs, most of which are full as of mid-July.

Boston by Little Feet Walking Tour

Address: Tours meet in front of Faneuil Hall, at the Samuel Adams statue.
Phone: 617-367-2345
Fees: Online, $10 | Cash in person, $12 | Free for Boston by Foot members

Do you want to share the Freedom Trail with your child but worry he or she isn’t quite old enough or will get bored too easily? Have no fear! The Boston by Little Feet Walking Tour is the perfect introduction to this beloved Boston attraction. The tour is designed to be engaging and fast-paced enough to hold the attention of kids between the ages of 6 and 12 -- no small feat, as any parent knows! It covers 10 downtown locations in an hour, allowing your family to learn all about Boston history before the kids can even start to think about whining! Kids tours are offered once a day and cost $12 per person. Be sure to check the website to confirm times and get discounted tickets before you go.

Concerts in the Courtyard, Boston Public Library, Central Branch

Address: 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 (Held at the courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square)
Phone: 617-536-5400
Fees: Free

During the summer, there’s no need to be quiet in the Central Library’s courtyard, as the area comes alive with a free summer concert series. Kids will love darting around the courtyard’s pillars and pools and dancing to music, ranging from pop to folk to classical. The concert series takes place Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday afternoons from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., giving parents the perfect opportunity to enjoy a little culture without taking kids out right before bedtime. To check who is playing, visit the BPL’s website. And if you visit on a Friday afternoon, be sure to also head across the street to Copley Farmer’s Market(which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to stock up on delicious treats!

KidsArts

Address: 6 Eliot St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: 617-524-0818
Fees: $350 per week, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sessions 3 - 8, July 17 - Aug. 25)

If your child loves art but hasn’t decided whether he or she wants to be a visual artist, dancer, or musician, KidsArts in Jamaica Plain has the perfect summer program. During the camp, little ones experiment with all modes of art, including music, drama, and visual arts, and explore a variety of techniques, materials, and tools. Of course, there are also other summer favorites, like water play and plenty of outdoor time. This summer the theme for camp is “Cities,” and kids will be exploring art from cities real and imagined and working through a different subcategory each week, like cities in space or rural towns. The camp costs $350 per week, with the option for extended days at an additional cost.

Tenacity’s Summer Tennis and Reading Program

Address: Various sites around Boston
Phone: 617-562-0900
Fees: Free, with registration

When it comes to picking a camp or summer program, oftentimes parents and kids disagree about what should be prioritized. Parents want a strong educational component, while kids just want to have fun. Enter Tenacity, a charity that combines tennis and physical fitness with academic supports in a format that kids love. The organization’s new summer program allows kids ages 6 to 16 to drop in on one of 23 parks around the city for a three-hour block. The time is divided between reading enrichment and tennis lessons. Best of all, the program is free, although registration is required.

Summer Fun Stops

Address & Phone: Various locations around Boston
Fees: Free

Run by the Boston Center for Youth and Families, Summer Fun Stops gives kids ages 8 to 18 the chance to experience free summer fun at locations throughout the city. Each stop features games, sports, and arts every day from noon to 6 p.m. Kids can drop in at any time, which makes this the perfect program for families that need a little flexibility. The program fills on a first-come, first-served daily basis.

Did we list all your favorite summer programs in the area? Let us know in the comments below!