Things to do with kids in Newton
Newton is one of the easiest places west of Boston to raise small kids: around Newton Centre, a big playground, the state's busiest library and a Green Line station are all within walking distance, and ten minutes by car brings forest trails, an echo bridge and Brookline's great hill.
The default weekend morning is the Newton Centre playground plus library storytime, then a loop of the boardwalks at Cold Spring Park; for a view, drive 10 minutes to shout under the Echo Bridge at Hemlock Gorge, or up the hill at Larz Anderson for the skyline. Spring and fall mean the Arnold Arboretum and Lake Waban in Wellesley; winter means sledding at Larz Anderson. To go downtown, don't drive: the D line from Newton Centre reaches Park Street in 30 minutes, with the swan boats and the Frog Pond 5 minutes from the station.
- 16 places
- 15 free
- 15 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
16 places
Drive times from Newton
Cold Spring Park woodland trail
5.0Newton · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot at the Beacon St entrance, busier during the summer Tuesday farmers market
Newton Centre Playground
5.0Newton · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free street parking on Tyler Terrace, or park in the Newton Centre business district and walk over
Newton Free Library children's department
5.0Newton · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot in front of the library, busier on Saturday mornings
Ride the Green Line D into the city
5.0Newton · 5 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: MBTA pay lot by Newton Centre station, or the big lot at Riverside (cheaper on weekends)
Larz Anderson Park
5.0Brookline · 10 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots inside the park (entrances on Newton St and Goddard Ave)
Cypress Street Playground
5.0Brookline · 10 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Street parking on Cypress St and Franklin St (watch Brookline's time-limit signs)
Brookline Public Library main branch children's room
5.0Brookline · 10 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot behind the library (2-hour limit), or street parking in Brookline Village
Hemlock Gorge and Echo Bridge
3.0Newton · 10 min drive
1 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Small lot at the Ellis St end of the bridge (about 10 spaces); street parking on Chestnut St when full
Fresh Pond Loop
5.0Cambridge · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots on Fresh Pond Pkwy and at Kingsley Park; easy on weekend mornings
Jamaica Pond Loop
5.0Boston · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free street parking along Perkins St and the Jamaicaway, fine on weekend mornings
Beaver Brook Reservation falls, duck pond and spray deck
5.0Belmont · 15 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots at the Mill St and Trapelo Rd entrances
Danehy Park playground and spray area
5.0Cambridge · 15 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots at the Sherman St and New St entrances
Cambridge Common nature playground (Alexander W. Kemp Playground)
5.0Cambridge · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Harvard Square parking is hard; take the Red Line to Harvard and walk 3 minutes, or use a Harvard Square garage
Cambridge Public Library main branch children's room
5.0Cambridge · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Small garage under the library (time-limited, often full), street parking on Broadway; or Red Line to Harvard and a 10-minute walk
Wellesley Free Library children's room
5.0Wellesley · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot in front of the library, easy on weekends
Arnold Arboretum
5.0Boston · 15 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free street parking along the Arborway and Bussey St; or Orange Line to Forest Hills and a 5-minute walk
💡 Good to know
- The Newton Free Library's museum passes are the local parents' money-saver: Children's Museum, Museum of Science and aquarium passes, reserved online a few weeks ahead.