Boston's Best Stuff For Pre-Schoolers
Swan Boats
Public Garden
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 522-1966
http://www.swanboats.com
Recreate the childhood favorite "Make Way For Ducklings" in the Boston Public Garden. Kids' eyes light up when they recognize the images from the illustrations come to life. Take a ride on the pedal-powered swan boats, and then be sure to stop by the ducklings statue for a picture before you leave. Adults ride for $2.75; kids cost $1.50.
Boston Common Carousel
Boston Common
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 635-2197
http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org
Follow the familiar music and you'll find the carousel by the Frog Pond on Boston Common. Take your pick of a horse or a teacup for your three-minute ride. It's open April through October and costs $3 per child. An adult can stand alongside for free.
Puppet Showplace Theatre
32 Station St.
Brookline, MA 02445-7938
(617) 731-6400
http://www.puppetshowplace.org
This Brookline institution holds two morning shows each week geared just towards preschoolers. The artists understand the short attention span of your little ones. They get kids involved in the shows and keep the sets short. Tickets are $10.
Castle Island
Day Boulevard
South Boston, MA (617) 727-5290
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks
The water at the harborside beach is almost always calm - perfect for the little ones. You can walk as a family along the water's edge boardwalk, fly a kite or visit the playground. Preschoolers aren't ready to understand the history of Fort Independence, but they'll think it looks cool and will enjoy climbing inside.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110-3309
(617) 973-5200
http://www.neaq.org
Your young ones will enjoy trying to find Nemo inside the tanks at the aquarium. Some kids could stare at colorful fish swimming for hours and never get bored. Add the bonus of seals, penguins with "spiked hair," giant turtles and sharks in the giant ocean tank. Tickets can be pricey at $14 for kids and $22 for adults. Check if your local library has discount passes available.
Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA 02121
(617) 541-5466
http://www.zoonewengland.org
Plenty to keep your preschooler's attention for hours, the Franklin Park Zoo is packed with animals. The gorillas, tigers and lions are all favorites. Make sure your little one stops in to the Franklin Farm, where they can touch the goats and sheep, see baby chicks and ponies. On the first Saturday of every month, everybody pays the $8 kid admission between 10 a.m. and noon.
