Winter Break Activities for Kids in Boston: Your 2025-26 Complete Guide
Making the Most of Winter Break in Boston
Winter break runs from December 22, 2025, through January 2, 2026, nearly two weeks to fill with fun and learning. Therefore, this guide to Boston winter break activities covers indoor adventures, outdoor fun, and week-by-week planning to help you make the most of it.
At Delphi Academy of Boston, we believe learning happens everywhere. Consequently, here’s your complete guide to keeping kids engaged and active throughout break.
Week-by-Week Winter Break Planner
Week 1: December 22-29, 2025 (Holiday Week)
December 22/23: Holiday Magic
- Boston Common & Frog Pond – Ice skating, holiday lights, festive atmosphere
Also best for all ages, go late afternoon to see lights at dusk
December 24-26: Family Time
Because most attractions are closed. Therefore, this is the perfect time for home activities, movies, neighborhood light tours, and family gatherings.
December 27: Get Moving After the holiday, it’s time to get active with ice skating options:
- Boston Common Frog Pond (classic choice)
- Skating Club of Boston in Norwood (closer to Milton)
- Ulin Rink (in Milton)
December 28: Holiday Shows Following your active day, enjoy some entertainment:
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- The Nutcracker – Boston Ballet or local community theater productions
- Elf in Concert – A fun event to attend if your family is a fan of Elf!
December 29: Indoor Adventure
- New England Aquarium – Penguins, touch tanks, Giant Ocean Tank, IMAX theater
Buy tickets in advance to avoid lines
Week 2: December 30-January 2, 2026 (New Year’s Week)
December 30: Arts & Culture
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – Beautiful courtyard, art detective game (ages 6+)
- Museum of Fine Arts – Huge collection with family guides; pick 1-2 galleries to explore (ages 5+)
December 31: New Year’s Eve
- First Night Boston – Alcohol-free celebration with ice sculptures, performances, activities
- Family Fireworks Watch the fireworks light up the sky at 7pm following the First Night Parade, or enjoy a show at Midnight to help welcome the new year.
January 1: Easy Day Keep it simple after New Year’s Eve:
- Start with a late breakfast at home
- Then enjoy an afternoon movie
- Follow up with a local park visit
- Finally, aim for an early bedtime to reset their “break clock”
January 2: Last weekday of break Make the most of your last day:
- Franklin Park Zoo – Animals more active in winter, smaller crowds, indoor tropical exhibits
- OR Local Indoor Play: Sky Zone (Norwood), Launch Trampoline Park, Apex Entertainment (Marlborough)
Delphi Academy’s Approach to Learning
At Delphi Academy, we believe learning doesn’t stop during vacation. Therefore, experiential learning, at museums, on nature walks, through family activities, is central to our “Keep it Real” philosophy. Finally, when students visit a science museum or attend a performance, they’re seeing practical applications of what they study.
Have a wonderful winter break! We’ll see our Delphi students back refreshed in the new year.