Boston Family Friendly Winter Activities // Ice Skating Frog Pond

family holiday outfits and winter activities in boston

On me: Edited Pieces coat xxs, Kenneth Cole booties 5.5 (also sold here & here), J.Crew pants 24 petite, Sezane sweater (similar), Songmont bag c/o. Kids outfits linked below

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! We’re looking forward to a week with family and to creating new traditions with the little ones. For anyone visiting Boston this time of year, I wanted to share a few family-friendly activities we’ve enjoyed this winter with the kids!

1. Exploring Seaport

Snowport Holiday Market – but on weekdays because the super long weekend lines are not worth it.
Grab a photo by the pretty white trees across from Snowport (where we snapped these pics!)
For those who eat dairy, Taiyaki fish-shaped ice cream are usually a kid pleaser
Children’s museum – $1 admission on TJX Sunday afternoons with an online reservation
Martin’s park is within walking distance with two sections to play in
Our usual kid & allergy friendly spots to eat: Bar Taco has a good kids menu, Kokoda has poke bowls and sushi hand rolls for the kids and a fully dairy-free, nut-free menu.
Trillium Brewery – a favorite spot for craft beer enthusiasts and $1 oysters (VERY hard to find these days in town) 2-4pm on weekdays.

skating with kids family winter activity

Abercrombie Topcoat xxs petite (thick & warm!), Uniqlo thermals, J.Crew earmuffs (similar here), Prada Cahier bag. On Nori: Boden Coat (older color; such a good coat!), earmuffs

kids holiday outfits and winter activities in boston

On Nori: H&M sweater + skirt set (sold out, new colors come out occasionally), Geox sneakers.
On Rio: Gap sweater (similar), Levi’s joggers, See Kai Run sneakers

Other popular ice skating areas: The Landmark Center by the Time Out food market, and the Quincy Outdoor Ice Skating Rink which is free (FYI: select time blocks are for Quincy residents only).

2. Exploring around the Boston Public Garden

Skating at Boston Common Frog Pond. Such an iconic Boston winter activity that I haven’t done since my college days! I love it as a winter date activity and our kids got off to a shaky start but enjoyed it as well. On weekends get there early if you need to rent a skating aid (Bobby the Seal), because there can be a wait. P.S. there’s restrooms inside!
Kids can play at the Tadpole Playground a few steps away after skating.
The charming Beacon Hill Bookstore is a 5-10 minute walk away with a cute kids section.
There are lots of places within walking distance to eat, but we went to Shabu Zen in Chinatown to warm up and grabbed some buns and egg tarts (for Nick & I) at Top Bread Bakery. We love hot pot in general but especially with the kids for food allergy purposes, since the ingredients are pretty transparent!