Nature & Outdoors
Arnold Arboretum Self-Guided Walking Tours, , Free
Sun, April 12, 2026 - Wed, November 25, 2026
From flowers and fragrance to fruits and textures to the bare bones of winter’s deciduous plants, the Arnold Arboretum is a dynamic landscape throughout the year! Families can also take the self-guided tour with a plant treasure map.
Sun, April 12, 2026 - Wed, November 25, 2026
From flowers and fragrance to fruits and textures to the bare bones of winter’s deciduous plants, the Arnold Arboretum is a dynamic landscape throughout the year! Families can also take the self-guided tour with a plant treasure map.
Strawberry Picking at Tougas Farm, , $
Tue, June 2, 2026 - Thu, June 25, 2026
Pick-Your-Own strawberries, strawberries desserts at the farm kitchen, playground and petting zoo make for a great family day at Tougas Family Farm
Tue, June 2, 2026 - Thu, June 25, 2026
Pick-Your-Own strawberries, strawberries desserts at the farm kitchen, playground and petting zoo make for a great family day at Tougas Family Farm
Lettuce Grow Children's Program, , Free
Wed, June 3, 2026 - Wed, June 24, 2026
This weekly 40-minute hands-on program guides our wee farmers on a short, educational farm hike and teaches them how to plant, care and harvest vegetables throughout the season. Each week is different. Weekly registration required.
Wed, June 3, 2026 - Wed, June 24, 2026
This weekly 40-minute hands-on program guides our wee farmers on a short, educational farm hike and teaches them how to plant, care and harvest vegetables throughout the season. Each week is different. Weekly registration required.
Homeschool: Creepy Crawlies (Ages 6-12) at New England Botanic Garden, , $
Fri, June 12, 2026 - Fri, June 12, 2026
Participants will observe insects, worms, spiders, and other “creepy crawlies” while learning about their unique adaptations, life cycles, and the essential roles they play as consumers and decomposers in our ecosystem.
Fri, June 12, 2026 - Fri, June 12, 2026
Participants will observe insects, worms, spiders, and other “creepy crawlies” while learning about their unique adaptations, life cycles, and the essential roles they play as consumers and decomposers in our ecosystem.
Reel Fun Fishing Day at Nut Island, , $
Sat, June 13, 2026 - Sat, June 13, 2026
Join us for a day of fishing and fun at Nut Island! Learn how to fish for and identify striped bass and winter flounder with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the MassWildlife Angler Education Program (rods, bait, and tackle provided)
Sat, June 13, 2026 - Sat, June 13, 2026
Join us for a day of fishing and fun at Nut Island! Learn how to fish for and identify striped bass and winter flounder with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the MassWildlife Angler Education Program (rods, bait, and tackle provided)
Insect Lab (Ages 4-8) at New England Botanic Garden, , $
Sun, June 14, 2026 - Sun, June 14, 2026
Be an Entomologist! Learn what makes an insect an insect and explore the relationship between flowers and bugs. Take home an entomology kit complete with a packet of insect inspired activities
Sun, June 14, 2026 - Sun, June 14, 2026
Be an Entomologist! Learn what makes an insect an insect and explore the relationship between flowers and bugs. Take home an entomology kit complete with a packet of insect inspired activities
Little Growers Garden Club (Ages 4-6) at New England Botanic Garden, , $$
Wed, June 17, 2026 - Wed, July 29, 2026
Gardeners will learn about soil, seeds, watering, plant growth through games, songs, and hands-on gardening. By the end of the program, each family will have a thriving mini-garden space in our Climate Garden.
Wed, June 17, 2026 - Wed, July 29, 2026
Gardeners will learn about soil, seeds, watering, plant growth through games, songs, and hands-on gardening. By the end of the program, each family will have a thriving mini-garden space in our Climate Garden.
Summer Solstice Swim & S'mores, , $
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, June 18, 2026
Kick off summer with an open swim and s'mores by the fire. This ticketed event is free and open to the public. Open swim with lifeguards, followed by a campfire and s'mores on the beach.
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, June 18, 2026
Kick off summer with an open swim and s'mores by the fire. This ticketed event is free and open to the public. Open swim with lifeguards, followed by a campfire and s'mores on the beach.
Summer Solstice Swim & S’mores, , Free
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, June 18, 2026
Kick off summer with an open swim and s’mores by the fire. Open swim with lifeguards will take place from 5:00–7:15 PM, followed by a campfire and s’mores on the beach.
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, June 18, 2026
Kick off summer with an open swim and s’mores by the fire. Open swim with lifeguards will take place from 5:00–7:15 PM, followed by a campfire and s’mores on the beach.
Family Firefly Walk (Ages 3-14) at New England Botanic Garden, , $
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, July 2, 2026
Embark on a guided nighttime adventure through our gardens and along the trails to search for fireflies by moonlight. Learn about the unique adaptations of these nocturnal insects, study them up close.
Thu, June 18, 2026 - Thu, July 2, 2026
Embark on a guided nighttime adventure through our gardens and along the trails to search for fireflies by moonlight. Learn about the unique adaptations of these nocturnal insects, study them up close.
31st Annual South End Garden Tour, , $$
Sat, June 20, 2026 - Sat, June 20, 2026
The South End Garden Tour is a self-guided tour through the neighborhood, stopping at historical places, private and public gardens, and other significant spots.
Sat, June 20, 2026 - Sat, June 20, 2026
The South End Garden Tour is a self-guided tour through the neighborhood, stopping at historical places, private and public gardens, and other significant spots.
Dried Flower Lab (Ages 6-9) at New England Botanic Garden, , $$
Sat, June 20, 2026 - Sat, June 20, 2026
Embrace the flowers of spring as we explore our garden’s blooms and create art with dried flowers. Each child will make their own DIY petal press to enjoy your favorite flowers.
Sat, June 20, 2026 - Sat, June 20, 2026
Embrace the flowers of spring as we explore our garden’s blooms and create art with dried flowers. Each child will make their own DIY petal press to enjoy your favorite flowers.
Junior Growers Garden Club (Ages 7-9) at New England Botanic Garden, , $$
Thu, June 25, 2026 - Thu, August 6, 2026
Explore our Climate Garden in this hands-on 4-session gardening program where kids and their families will care for their own 2ft x 4ft garden plot.
Thu, June 25, 2026 - Thu, August 6, 2026
Explore our Climate Garden in this hands-on 4-session gardening program where kids and their families will care for their own 2ft x 4ft garden plot.
Mushroom Walk at Hale, , Free
Sun, June 28, 2026 - Sun, June 28, 2026
Join us on a 2-hr walk around Hale to explore fungi, led by members of the Boston Mycological Club (BMC)’s ID committee and Nick Rajtar from the University of Minnesota lab.
Sun, June 28, 2026 - Sun, June 28, 2026
Join us on a 2-hr walk around Hale to explore fungi, led by members of the Boston Mycological Club (BMC)’s ID committee and Nick Rajtar from the University of Minnesota lab.
Garden Design: Wilding Your Perennial Garden, , $$$
Wed, July 8, 2026 - Wed, July 22, 2026
Love the new wilder gardens? These naturalistic gardens are more than a field meadow. Small space or large, you'll learn how to design 'wild' for your existing or new perennial garden.
Wed, July 8, 2026 - Wed, July 22, 2026
Love the new wilder gardens? These naturalistic gardens are more than a field meadow. Small space or large, you'll learn how to design 'wild' for your existing or new perennial garden.
Southie Summer Nights at Moakley Park, , Free
Wed, July 15, 2026 - Wed, July 29, 2026
Free fun summer evenings for teens with dinner and music! Enjoy kayaking at MA DCR Summer Nights at Carson Beach and interactive arts activities at Moakley Park. Wednesdays from July 15 - 29, 2026.
Wed, July 15, 2026 - Wed, July 29, 2026
Free fun summer evenings for teens with dinner and music! Enjoy kayaking at MA DCR Summer Nights at Carson Beach and interactive arts activities at Moakley Park. Wednesdays from July 15 - 29, 2026.
Misery Island Mushroom Walk, , $
Fri, July 17, 2026 - Fri, October 2, 2026
Join mycologist Jana Harris from Essex Forays for a guided mushroom walk at Great Misery Island. This trip will give participants a chance to look close up at mushroom species.
Fri, July 17, 2026 - Fri, October 2, 2026
Join mycologist Jana Harris from Essex Forays for a guided mushroom walk at Great Misery Island. This trip will give participants a chance to look close up at mushroom species.
Backyard and Beyond: Treehouse Yoga at Discovery Museum,
Fri, July 17, 2026 - Fri, July 17, 2026
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. The fully accessible campus provides indoor STEM-based exhibits and a nature playscape and giant treehouse for open-ended learning explorations.
Fri, July 17, 2026 - Fri, July 17, 2026
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. The fully accessible campus provides indoor STEM-based exhibits and a nature playscape and giant treehouse for open-ended learning explorations.
Spectacle Summer Nights, , $$
Sat, July 18, 2026 - Sat, July 18, 2026
Venture out to Spectacle Island for an after hour evening experience with incredible views, live music, food and fun for all!
Sat, July 18, 2026 - Sat, July 18, 2026
Venture out to Spectacle Island for an after hour evening experience with incredible views, live music, food and fun for all!
Backyard and Beyond: Mud Kitchen at Discovery Museum,
Sun, July 19, 2026 - Sun, July 19, 2026
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. The fully accessible campus provides indoor STEM-based exhibits and a nature playscape and giant treehouse for open-ended learning explorations.
Sun, July 19, 2026 - Sun, July 19, 2026
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. The fully accessible campus provides indoor STEM-based exhibits and a nature playscape and giant treehouse for open-ended learning explorations.
