480 things to do with kids in the Boston area this week, October 27 – November 2, 149 of them this weekend: story times, classes, family festivals, puppet shows and more. We reviewed 9,000+ Boston-area events to find them. Last updated October 27, 2026.
Halloween-themed concert with Franc Graham kicks off the jamboree in lower-level Keys Community Room, followed by trick‑or‑treating and a craft in Story Hour Room, for ages 3–12.
Costume contest, spooky photo booth, crafts, candy, and music fill Grove Hall’s annual HALL‑oween party for all ages.
Slightly scary stories and creepy Halloween crafts in the Large Meeting Room, supplies and instructions provided, staff on hand, all ages, children under 8 need adult.
Grand Reopening of Polonia Park (Polonia Park, Chelsea) — Modern playground equipment, fenced dog park, shaded picnic area, splash pad, new seating, and fresh trees and plantings.
Esther Gomez leads a Día de Muertos celebration at West End, guiding participants in building an ofrenda, wearing monarch wings, and sharing Pan de Muerto for all ages.
Costume-clad toddlers dance to Halloween music in East Boston, ages 0–5.
City Ballet of Boston performs jazzy‑ballet excerpts from Ben’s Trumpet, followed by a book reading and dance lesson from a teaching artist, for ages 3–8.
Explore real Massachusetts animal bones and pet giant bugs at Codman Square, Dorchester; limited to 25 participants, reserve by phone or email, for ages 6–12.
Halloween adventure at Harvard Museum of Natural History includes trick-or-treating galleries, photo booth, costume-inspired nature displays, rare specimen encounters, and a free raffle.
Tom Knight’s Halloween puppet show in Lower Mills library community room features Freddy the Troll, hand‑made puppets, musical numbers and audience participation, all ages.
Outdoor screening of animated classic Coco on Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs' giant 9 × 16′ LED screen at Chelsea Square; bring a blanket or chair.
Free after‑hours museum night at Broad Discovery Center features a Bluetooth outbreak simulation, interactive displays, DJ Backspin and Operation Outbreak, recommended for middle school ages and above.
Trunk or Treat in Chelsea Square offers trick-or-treating, entertainment, and activities with free candy, open to all ages.
A Trick or Treat Treasure Map is handed out at City Hall Plaza, directing participants to candy spots around the square, for ages 12 and under.
Costume showcase, family music dancing, cozy book nook reading, and autumnal activities in the McKim Exhibition Hall for ages 0-5.
Sensory‑Friendly Halloween at Discovery Museum.
Halloween-themed weekend at Museum of Science Boston offers drop‑in activities, design challenges, live presentations, and a member‑only raffle; costumes encouraged.
Treats, crafts, and costumes at Connolly Branch precede a Centre Street parade ending at Mozart Park with games and additional treats for all ages.
Sinister plants demonstrate spiky thorns, sticky latex, chemical defenses, explosive seed bursts, and black‑light glow on Hunnewell Lawn, with a storytime at 1 pm, all ages.
Trick-or-treating at Powisset Farm kicks off Halloween, all ages.
Costume contest, arts & crafts, face painting, selfie center, games, raffles, and pizza for purchase fill the Salemwood School Fieldhouse.
Jack‑o‑lantern‑lit path, colonial music and dancing, and ranger talks on ghost folklore accompany trick‑or‑treat candy at historic Hartwell Tavern — all ages.
Costume parade through Central Library auditorium and stacks, followed by a Halloween dance party with desk trick‑or‑treat stations, for ages 3–12.
Hayride, carnival games, Trunk or Treat, live music, food, beer, and pony rides fill Pierce Park’s Fall Fest; tickets $16, all ages.
Play Date: Free Family Art Day at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston — free, all ages.
Nature journaling in the Wild (Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan) — all ages.
Lisa the Wise: a puppet tale of a brave girl confronting Baba Yaga in a wits battle at Puppet Showplace Theater, for ages 4–10.
Milk & Cookies at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln — ages 2–10.
Watershed Community Event: Veronica Robles Cultural Center Day of the Dead at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston.
Interactive performance by award‑winning Ms. Angel Mone’t at Faneuil, Brighton, featuring music, singing, dancing, storytelling and puppetry for ages 3–5.
Music, movement, and literature combine in a story‑inspired dance session at Newton Free Library’s Children’s Program Room, drop‑ins welcome for ages 0–5.
449 more events through Monday, November 2.
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