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Boston family weekend planner

Things to do with kids this weekend in Boston

Updated October 10, 2026

October 9–11

The weekend of October 9–11 brings National Chess Day Celebration in Boston (Saturday). Every listing below comes from the organizer's own calendar, with times, venues, and official links — and the free ones are marked.

37 family events across 5 Boston cities this weekend — 22 likely free. Biggest clusters: library (21), museum (13), park (2).

37 family events 22 likely free 5 cities

Don't miss this weekend

Ranked by how hard each one is to catch otherwise — marquee one-offs first, always-on drop-ins last.

  1. Music and Movement with Mariana Iranzi

    Sun · 1:30 PM · Boston Children's Museum · Boston

    Why it ranks rare one-off · museum · editor's pick

    Live music-and-movement set with Mariana Iranzi — the best Sunday-afternoon energy burn

    Ages 6–11Official ↗

  2. Ride and Chill at Franklin Park

    Sun · 8:30 AM · Shattuck Picnic Area, Franklin Park · Boston

    Why it ranks one-time special · community program · editor's pick

    Free family ride and hangout at Franklin Park's Shattuck Picnic Area — bring wheels and a picnic

    FreeAll agesOfficial ↗

  3. Pumpkin Painting

    Sat · 10:30 AM · Children's Program Room · Newton

    Why it ranks pumpkin · library program · editor's pick

    Pumpkin painting at Newton Free Library — peak fall, one small materials fee

    $Ages 6–11Official ↗

  4. Elephant & Piggie Costumed Character Meet and Greet

    Sat · 10:30 AM · Boston Children's Museum · Boston

    Why it ranks monthly · museum · editor's pick

    Elephant & Piggie in person — the Children's Museum's marquee meet-and-greet for the Mo Willems crowd

    Ages 6–11Official ↗

  5. ECHO Live

    Sat · 10:00 AM · City of Boston · Boston

    Why it ranks one-time special · outdoors · editor's pick

    ECHO Live brings a City of Boston parks program outdoors Saturday morning

    Ages 2–11Official ↗

  6. National Chess Day Celebration

    Sat · 1:00 PM · Lower Mills · Boston

    Why it ranks one-time special · library program · editor's pick

    Free National Chess Day celebration at Lower Mills — boards, play and beginners welcome

    FreeAges 6–13Official ↗

  7. All-Ages Story Time

    Fri · 10:30 AM · Adams Street · Boston

    Why it ranks one-time special · library program

    FreeAll agesOfficial ↗

  8. 90-Second Newbery Film Club

    Fri · 3:30 PM · The Rabbit Hole · Brookline

    Why it ranks annual · library program

    Ages 10–13Official ↗

Story time & books 10Arts & crafts 8Music & performance 7Festivals & community 6STEM & hands-on 4Free only 22

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Free

Free family day

No-ticket or likely-free events that work well as the anchor for a low-cost weekend plan.

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Little kids

Toddler and preschool picks

Shorter, earlier programs with age signals that are easier for little kids.

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Indoor

Indoor backup plan

Libraries, museums, makerspaces, and indoor culture picks for weather or low-energy days.

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Low drive

Low-drive plan in Boston

A tighter cluster in one city so the day does not turn into a long drive.

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Family events in Boston this weekend: October 9–11

Generated October 10, 2026 from official event sources

Interactive Event Finder

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Showing 37 of 37 events

Friday, October 9

15 events · 10 free · already happened

  1. All-Ages Story Time

    Adams Street · Boston · Ages 1–12

    Free Official ↗

  2. 90-Second Newbery Film Club

    The Rabbit Hole · Brookline · Ages 10–13

    Calling all budding filmmakers! The Public Library of Brookline is partnering with the Brookline Interactive Group to help young filmmakers…

    Free Official ↗

  3. Building Empathy

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  4. iViva Boston - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

    City of Boston · Boston · Ages 3–12

    Date: Fri, 10/09/2026 - 5:00pm - Fri, 10/09/2026 - 7:00pm Address: 1 City Hall Square Boston , MA 02201-2006 United States Join us for a…

    Free Official ↗

  5. Friday, October 9 11:00—11:30 AM West Branch Children's Room (2nd floor) West Branch 40 College Ave, Somerville, MA, 021

    Somerville Public Library · Somerville · Ages 5–12

    44 Storytime at West Join us for stories and songs!

    Free Official ↗

  6. All-Ages Story Time (Ages 0-5)

    South Boston · Boston · Ages 1–12

    Free Official ↗

  7. Singalong (Ages 0-5)

    Central Library in Copley Square · Boston · Ages 1–12

    Free Official ↗

  8. Spanish Storytime! La Hora de Cuentos en Español!

    Meeting Room - Coolidge Corner · Brookline · $ · Ages 1–12

    Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Spanish storytime filled with stories, songs, and movement, followed by a craft.

    Official ↗

  9. Dress to Express

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  10. LEGO Club (Ages 3-12)

    Central Library in Copley Square · Boston · Ages 3–13

    Free Official ↗

  11. Young Architects (O'Connell)

    Cambridge Public Library · Cambridge · Ages 3–12

    Learn how to design buildings with architect Neha Garg in this hands-on STEAM workshop for ages 8-12!

    Free Official ↗

  12. Imagination Station: Crafting for kids ages 6-9

    Children's Program Room · Newton · Ages 5–12

    Calling all budding artists to an open ended art time focused on exploring different ways to create!

    Free Official ↗

  13. Toddler Story Time (O'Connell)

    Cambridge Public Library · Cambridge · Ages 1–12

    Join us for stories, songs and rhymes! Recommended for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call…

    Free Official ↗

  14. Balls and Tubes

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  15. Glowing Neon Art

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Specific hours vary daily

    Official ↗

Saturday, October 10

15 events · 10 free

  1. Pumpkin Painting

    Children's Program Room · Newton · $ · Ages 5–12

    Feeling creative this fall? We are going to paint some pumpkins to celebrate the fall season. You bring your ideas, we'll provide all of…

    Official ↗

  2. Elephant & Piggie Costumed Character Meet and Greet

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  3. ECHO Live

    City of Boston · Boston · Ages 3–12

    Date: Sat, 10/10/2026 - 2:00pm - Sat, 10/10/2026 - 6:00pm Address: Civic Pavilion 5 Congress Street Boston , MA 02201-2006 United States…

    Free Official ↗

  4. National Chess Day Celebration

    Lower Mills · Boston · Ages 5–13

    Free Official ↗

  5. All Ages Story Time

    Mattapan · Boston · Ages 3–12

    Free Official ↗

  6. Garden Exploration

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  7. Learn Origami with Jingting

    Meeting Room - Putterham · Brookline · Ages 5–13

    Join librarian and origami expert Jingting for this fun introduction to the art of paper folding.

    Free Official ↗

  8. Boston Parent Club – How to Become the Person Your Child Trusts Most (in Chinese)

    Meeting Room - Coolidge Corner · Brookline · Ages 5–12

    Join Boston Parent Club for a free community workshop focused on building trust and stronger connections between parents and their children.

    Free Official ↗

  9. Saturday, October 10 9:00 AM—12:50 PM West Branch Children's Room (2nd floor) West Branch 40 College Ave, Somerville, MA

    Somerville Public Library · Somerville · Ages 1–12

    4 Scavenger Hunt Saturday at West It's Scavenger Hunt Saturday at West!

    Free Official ↗

  10. STEAM Family Workshop: Marble Mazes

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  11. Soap Making Workshop

    Children's Program Room · Newton · Ages 5–13

    Learn the art of natural soap making with an engaging workshop from Francois Naturals . Whether you're new to soap making or having some…

    Free Official ↗

  12. All-Ages Story Time (Ages 0-7)

    Central Library in Copley Square · Boston · Ages 1–12

    Free Official ↗

  13. Unavailable Children's

    Hunneman Hall - Brookline Village · Brookline · Ages 5–12

    Free Official ↗

  14. Dungeons & Dragons for Tweens/Teens

    Tween Room · Brookline · Ages 5–13

    OUR ADVENTURING PARTY IS CURRENTLY FULL. Please join the waitlist!

    Free Official ↗

  15. Glowing Neon Art

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Specific hours vary daily

    Official ↗

Sunday, October 11

7 events · 2 free

  1. Music and Movement with Mariana Iranzi

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  2. Ride and Chill at Franklin Park

    Shattuck Picnic Area, Franklin Park · Boston · Ages 3–13

    A free, safe, family friendly bike ride throughout Franklin Park and surrounding neighborhoods on Sunday, October 11, 8:30am to 2:00pm.

    Free Official ↗

  3. This Generation: BRAVE - Grab Your C.A.P.E.!

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  4. STEAM Family Workshop: Marble Mazes

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  5. Seriously Silly: Stories and Shenanigans inspired by Mo Willems

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Official ↗

  6. All-Ages Story Time (Ages 0-7)

    Central Library in Copley Square · Boston · Ages 1–12

    Free Official ↗

  7. Glowing Neon Art

    Boston Children's Museum · Boston · Ages 5–12

    Specific hours vary daily

    Official ↗

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Animals & nature

Zoos, farms, gardens, and wildlife walks to get up close with the outdoors.

Boston family events this weekend (October 9–11) — highlights poster
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