Your baby’s “road to one” is filled with lots of exciting firsts and beautiful milestones, but it’s also a year of major adjustments. Motherhood can bring a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you battle sleep deprivation and raging hormones, all the while trying to figure out if your baby is tired, hungry, gassy, or all of the above. While it may seem like a daunting task, getting out of the house can be half the battle. Both you and your baby will benefit from trying new things and experiencing all that Boston has to offer. Strap on your carrier and pack up your diaper bag because here are 40 things to do in Boston before your baby turns 1!
1. Bounce back into shape and meet other moms when you sign up for a “Babies on Board” barre class at Xtend Barre, right on Newbury Street.
2. Take a stroll along the scenic pathways at the Boston Public Garden, and enjoy the beautiful blooms! Stop for a ride on a swan boat or head to Tadpole Playground for some fun.
3. Take advantage of baby wearing and buy tickets to an afternoon Red Sox game at Fenway Park. There’s so much going on to keep your little one entertained.
4. It’s never too early to introduce your mini Mozart to the art of music. There are multiple classes offered around the city—we love Music Together and Little Groove!
5. Find your happy place at a special yoga class that includes your pre-crawling baby—the perfect way to get some exercise without needing childcare. Coolidge Corner Yoga in Brookline or Sadhana in the South End are both great options.
6. Spend your Saturday morning perusing Boston Public Market, where they have multiple fresh, local food vendors inside and out. They also have the best (and strongest) coffee courtesy of George Howell. (We know you need it!)
7. You can spend an entire day at the Boston Children’s Museum but your little one may never want to leave the popular “Bubbles” exhibit. Plus they’ve got the PlaySpace, built especially for the newborn to three crowd.
8. Splurge on a staycation at the Ritz Carlton (they’ve got cribs!). It’s one of our favorite kid-friendly hotels, and you’ll feel pampered and refreshed without the hassle of having to travel too far.
9. Fall in love with your city all over again when you take a Duck Boat tour through the city’s neighborhood, as well as into the Charles River! Pack snacks, bring the baby carrier and you’ll have a blast.
10. Looking for a good rainy day activity? Box Office Babies at the Coolidge Corner Theater encourages you to move around as needed, plus the lights are slightly turned up and volume down to create the perfect movie-watching environment for you and baby.
11. Walk through the SOWA open market where you’ll find locally made jewelry, clothes and home goods, plus local produce, a beer garden and tons of food trucks for snacking. Then, dance with your little to some of the live musicians that are always playing here.
12. The North End is one of our favorite neighborhoods for a self-guided, baby-wearing walking tour. And we swear it’s not only because you can stop for cannoli along the way.
13. You don’t have to be scared of the big kids at our favorite playgrounds for pre (or brand new) walkers.
14. The Museum of Science offers an abundance of stimulation for babies and it’s perfect if you’ve got a two-hour window to work with (you know, between naps). Don’t miss the Discovery Center or the Butterfly Garden.
15. Experience “farm life” at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, located about 30 minutes outside of the city. Check out the animals and take a hayride before ending your trip with a visit to the farm fresh produce stand.
16. Let your babe explore the newly renovated Children’s Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo. Climb to the top of the giant Eagle’s nest and take the slide all the way down, or watch prairie dogs pop out of their holes; it’s the perfect introduction to the zoo for your little one.
17. Craving the smell of the ocean and a warm sea breeze? Spend the day at Castle Island where there’s an amazing path for walking (with a stroller!) plus a great playground for kiddos.
18. Read the book, then bring your tot for a quintessential photo op with the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Even better—dress them up like a duckling for the annual Mother’s Day parade!
19. Check the calendar of your local library to try programs like the baby & toddler dance party or “Mother Goose on the Loose.” It’s a great way to meet other mamas, too!
20. Plan a play date at the Rose Kennedy Greenway—a new(ish) linear park that’s full of fountains, beautiful flower gardens, food trucks and fresh air.
21. Pack a towel and a swim diaper, then ward off a hot day at one of Boston’s best splash parks.
22. Plan an ice cream play date at J.P. Licks! Introduce your baby’s palette to this sweet, authentically Boston treat—perfect for a hot summer day.
23. Enjoy a brew or two at our favorite kid-friendly pubs around the city! While your little one (hopefully) dozes in their carrier or stroller, you can have a grown up conversation.
24. Join Hike It Baby for some exercise and fellowship with other moms or dads. These meet-ups are usually free and there are a variety of locations—just check on their website.
25. Go for brunch at The Beehive in the South End. With the live music and yummy eats, you’ll stay full and babies will stay entertained.
26. There’s nothing sweeter than baby’s first beach trip. Boston’s easy driving distance from tons of gorgeous New England beaches, though Crane’s Beach is a fan-favorite.
27. Meet a mommy friend for a stroller walk along the Charles River. It’s three miles of beautiful views and if need be, you can make a pit stop at the Esplanade Playground for a break.
28. Craving adventure? Take the ferry to one of the Harbor Islands. Free tours are offered of the historic Fort Warren on Georges Island, or you could enjoy a day at the Spectacle Island beach.
29. When baby’s first holiday season comes around, a trip to see the twinkling Zoo Lights (where you can often squeeze in your Santa photo, too!) is a must-do.
30. Boston winters can be brutal. When you desperately need to escape the house, try one of these local indoor play spaces that will keep you toasty warm and plenty entertained.
31. To raise a real Boston babe, bring them to their first ever Marathon Monday. The city is buzzing with excitement and it will be a memory to last a lifetime.
32. Harvard Square in Cambridge is the perfect place to stroll around. There are lots of little coffee shops and bakeries, plus Alexander Kemp Playground nearby, which features water tables and sand for sensory exploration.
33. Boston’s surrounded by water, so its never to early to learn to swim. Boston University offers one of our favorite swim programs for kids ages 6 months and up.
34. Check out the Little Lovage Club in the South End for some indoor playgroups and classes. It’s also a great place to host your little one’s first birthday!
35. Plan a family photo shoot complete with a smash cake for your little one to celebrate their upcoming milestone. Our favorite local photographers will capture the moment perfectly!
36. The list would not be complete without the New England Aquarium! Youe little one will marvel at the penguins, sea turtles, sharks and other aquatic creatures here. Tack on a walk along the harbor for some beautiful views and fresh air.
37. When fall hits, escape the city to pick some apples at Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow. They even have apple cider and warm donuts—plus a fabulous pumpkin patch for some photo ops.
38. Faneuil Hall is a Boston landmark for a good reason. Bring baby to explore Quincy Market and grab a bite to eat. Then, enjoy the entertainment of street performers like musicians and acrobats.
39. Download the Mommy Nearest app on your phone! You can find recommendations on the go, and travel with baby becomes a breeze.
40. In the end, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the first year! It flies by and in the blink of an eye you’ll be wondering where time went. Cherish each precious moment and memory with your little one.
