By Sandi Barrett
Contributing Writer
Spending time with your grandchildren is a wonderful gift and we love every exhausting minute. During the colder months, however, it can be a challenge to keep them joyfully entertained and unplugged. Below is a list of popular outdoor and indoor winter events across Massachusetts and a few off-the-beaten path adventures to round out your multi-gen winter days.
Outdoor activities
It is a given, it will be cold. Embrace the chill and enjoy days filled with brilliant sunshine and outdoor adventures.
If you head into Boston during February be sure to check out Frostival. During February the Copley Square Winter Activation event is a Winter Olympic-themed immersive experience.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Carousel is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the little kiddos. The seasonal Ferris wheel is scheduled to be open during the February Frostival event. Bundle up -–it can be freezing or even much colder while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.
An iconic Boston winter activity, skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond, is a bucket list activity. Admission is free if your munchkin is less than 58 inches tall. They also offer skate rentals if you need a pair of blades for the day.
There are three great ski areas in central Massachusetts: Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford, Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, and Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. Of course daylight skiing and boarding are always a big hit, along with lessons and rental packages. Nashoba Valley Ski Area and Ski Ward offer tubing for non-skiing fun (tubing for Nashoba Valley Ski Area is in Littleton). Night skiing is an addictive experience and is a popular attraction at Nashoba Valley Ski Area and Wachusett Mountain.
Another fun nighttime event is the Full Moon Hike at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. Pre-registration is required for the Tuesday, March 3 hike. There are additional evening events sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations across their conservation areas including DeCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Crane Estate in Ipswich, and Worlds End in Hingham.
Indoor activities
If heading outside is too cold for you, there are plenty of events happening across the state where you are indoors all warm and cozy.
Boston Children’s Museum is offering their Snowmazing! event. Try your hand at sock skating and building igloo forts. The program runs through February 22.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield immerses you in a glorious tropical paradise. Explore the indoor conservatory that is home to 4,000 exotic and domestic butterflies.
The Ecotarium in Worcester is an indoor/outdoor science and nature museum offering cool exhibits for kids of all ages. It is the perfect spot to learn about science while having fun.
The American Heritage Museum in Hudson represents U.S. conflicts from the Revolutionary War to current day events. Tanks, planes, missiles, and more depict our military ingenuity. Even grown kids will be amazed by the collection of artifacts.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
Patriot football fans will love visiting the Patriots Hall of Fame in Foxboro. Stand inside a Tom Brady huddle, and you will feel small surrounded by his teammates. Test your jumping skills with the vertical jump test where you go up against Devin McCourty’s leaping reach. Afterward, wander through Patriot Place where you can dine, bowl, shop, and more.
The Worcester Railers Hockey Club offers fast ice action like the Bruins but at a fraction of the cost. Alternatively, the Boston Fleet women’s hockey team plays at the Tsongas Center in Lowell for a fabulous on-ice show.
If you’re ready for a winter getaway with the kiddos, try Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg. The gang will love the indoor waterpark – perfect to chase away the winter blues. You can also book a day pass, no need to stay overnight to enjoy all the water-focused fun.
Escape rooms are super trendy for tweens and teens. There are several great options where you can test out your deductive reasoning. Live Action Escapes in Worcester and Westborough, Escape Games Worcester, Breakout Games in Marlborough, and The Escape Game in Dedham are just a few of the options to consider.
Another perfect adventure for the older set are the upgraded classical arcades. Level99 and Immersive Gamebox in Natick, Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, and Pixel Paradise Video Gaming Center in Lexington offer a variety of immersive gaming.
Time to shake off the cabin fever and get out and play.
RELATED CONTENT:
Waterville Valley is a multi-generation destination with more than just skiing
Family-friendly resorts on Cape Cod are ideal for multi-gen reunions
