Boston Brings History to Life for Kids

Boston’s 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is a great family travel experience, particularly for older children. While the Freedom Trail may make a long and tiring day for younger ones, there are other ways to introduce children to scenes and events that make Boston America’s “Cradle of Liberty.”

No rule says you need to visit every sight on the trail, or in any order. So, stop at the visitors center on Boston Common (where younger kids will like the carousel and, in the summer, the Frog Pond) and pick up a map to plan your own itinerary. Here are some highlights for kids:

Close to the Common, Granary Burying Ground is worth a stop for kids to search for the names they know. Can they spot the stones of John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and the family of Benjamin Franklin? Another I-Spy game includes spotting statues of some of these people throughout the city (hint: Ben Franklin’s is on School St.).

One of the best stops for kids is Old South Meeting House, the starting point for the Boston Tea Party. Here, they will hear a spirited account of the meeting that enflamed the crowd to attack the tea-laden ship in 1773. A scavenger hunt here adds to the fun for kids.

Faneuil Hall was another gathering spot for Boston’s patriots, and park rangers in its Great Hall bring the history of the hall to life for young visitors.

The next site stops are in the North End, where everyone is sure to get sidetracked by the fragrances of Italian foods and the sight of pastry shop windows. Paul Revere’s House is here, but not especially appealing to children unless there is a special program during vacation weeks. Look for Paul Revere on his horse as you approach Old North Church and its famous tower.

If you have time for only one stop on the Freedom Trail, consider making it “Old Ironsides” —  USS Constitution and theoldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. You can board the sailing ship, explore below decks, learn about life at sea and hear stories from the sailors. Don’t miss the free USS Constitution Museum, filled with interactive exhibits for kids of all ages. A ferry connects the Old Ironsides wharf in Charlestown to Atlantic Wharf, making it easier than walking there and back.

For more of a theme-park experience, younger kids will love the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, a high-tech, interactive introduction to the famous rebellion. Along with the multisensory experiences, there’s a dramatic reenactment of pitching tea crates into the harbor.