Be a Winter Warrior

The weather outside may be frightful, but Boston’s indoor and outdoor winter-friendly activities are oh, so delightful. The city and surrounding areas offer many recreational options to keep families moving throughout the chilliest and most gluttonous, season.

The Boston Common Frog Pond

Channel your inner Michelle Kwan (or simply hang on to a loved one and inch around the rink) at Boston Common Frog Pond where families can ice skate to their heart’s content. Breathe in the crispness of the season while skating around the open air rink. Bring your own skates – you can even have them sharpened for $8 a pair – or rent them at the pond. Visit the Frog Pond Café where you can grab a grilled cheese, hot dog or other kid-favorite foods, and those oh-so-necessary warm drinks like coffee and hot cocoa. If a member of your party isn’t in the skating mood, free WiFi is also available at the café.

Boston Common, Boston, 617-635-2120; www.bostonfrogpond.com. 

Learn how to teach a kids to ice skate here.

Check out other great places to skate here.

The Butterfly Place

The Butterfly Place is an indoor garden filled with hundreds of freely-flying butterflies from around the world. See caterpillars, chrysalids and cocoons up close as you walk around the winding pathway. Open Valentine’s Day – Columbus Day.

120 Tyngsboro Road, Westford, 978-392-0955; butterflyplace-ma.com.

New England Aquarium

You don’t need scuba gear to see, touch and learn about the wonderful creatures who live in our seas. Just step through the doors of Boston’s finest aquarium for an underwater adventure the entire family will love!

Central Wharf, Boston, 617-973-5200; neaq.org.

Discovery Museum

Kids are capable of incredible things. The Discovery Museum futures this ability and supports healthy development. Visit the indoor STEAM-rich environment and if it’s not too cold, find more activities outside. Reservations required. No walk ins.

177 Main Street (Route 27), Acton; 978-264-4200; discoveryacton.org

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

This world-class art museum makes time for kids. The Family Art Cart here is full of interactive activities created for children ages 4 and up – sending them off among the museum’s masterpieces to piece together puzzles and sketch favorite art works.

Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, 617-267-9300; mfa.org.

Ski Ward Winter TubaSlide

Snowtubing is the perfect activity for all levels and with up to 12 lanes, 2 lifts and over 200 tubes, you’re guaranteed to have a great time! They provide everything for you, including the snowtubes and the fun! ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD AND 42″ IN HEIGHT TO TUBE.

1000 Main Street, Shrewbury;508-842-6346; skyward.com.

Weston Ski Track

No matter how excellent your golf game, the sport simply doesn’t work during the winter in Massachusetts, so the Leo J. Martin Golf Course turns its course into a cross country ski and snowshoe trail for the colder months. The center is beginner-friendly so kids and adults, no matter their skill level, can have some fun here. Weston Ski Track features one of the largest cross-country ski snowmaking systems in New England in the event Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

Ski lessons are available at a variety of skill levels for adults, as well as classes for children starting at 4 years old.

190 Park Road, Weston; 781-891-6575; www.skiboston.com.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

What could possibly get the wiggles out better than a high-energy play area like Sky Zone? This indoor trampoline park is filled with walled “play courts” perfect for your little jumping bean. Age-specific sessions are available (like Toddler Time for the little guys) to ensure everyone is jumping as safely as possible. Their SkyRobics is a challenging and effective workout for adults (no post-holiday guilt here!).

69 Norman Street, Everett; 617-387-1000; www.skyzone.com/everett

100 Independence Way, Danvers; 978-252-3000; www.skyzone.com/danvers

101 Kingston Collection Way; 781-514-7595; www.skyzone.com/kingston

Boston Children’s Museum

Winter is no time to stop playing. The Museum is filled with things for your family to enjoy, including three floors of exhibits, everyday programs, our special Snowmazing Polar Playground and more. Skate with your socks, create in our STEAM and Art Labs, climb to the top of our 3 story climber, and for our youngest explorers enjoy our iconic PlaySpace exhibit. Check the calendar to learn more about daily activities.

308 Congress Street, Boston; 617-426-6500; www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org. 

Boston Bowl

Put on your game face and head to Boston Bowl, where they have 30 Tenpin and 14 Candlepin lanes so you and the family can bowl to your hearts’ content. Open around the clock, each of the lanes have the option of adding bumpers if you’re playing with the smaller set who are just learning the ropes (or you simply want to keep your scores extra high!). Ditch the Wii Bowling and get out there and experience the real thing. Billiards is also an option if bowling isn’t your thing.

820 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston; 617-825-3800; www.bostonbowl.com.

58  Rockland Street, Hanover; 781-826-5263; www.bostonbowlhanover.com.