Boston Common: Tadpole Playground and Frog Pond

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Cambridge Common nature playground (Alexander W. Kemp Playground)

Photo: Tichnor Bros. Inc., Boston, Mass. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

🛝 Playground · Boston

2 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit

0–1 yr

★ 4.0

1–3 yrs

★ 5.0

3–5 yrs

★ 5.0

5–10 yrs

★ 4.0

🚗
About 20 min drive
From Newton · Parking: Green Line to Park St puts you right there; by car use the Boston Common underground garage (from about $20)
🍼
Stroller-friendly
Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
🌳
Some shade
Great on sunny days · Handles heat · Good on cool days
⏱️
Typical visit: 2 hours
Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall

The heart of America's oldest park: Tadpole Playground is small but well done, and a few steps away Frog Pond becomes a big free wading pool in summer, ankle-deep so a 2-year-old can walk right in, with a carousel next to it (fee). A 7-year-old likes chasing squirrels and watching street performers.

💡 Tips

The wading pool usually runs late June through early September, so bring swimsuits and towels; there are restrooms and a snack kiosk beside it. Cross Charles St to the west for the Public Garden and the Swan Boats, two parks in one day. In winter the same pond becomes a skating rink.

What this place offers

✓wading pool

✓playground

✓carousel

✓big lawn

✓squirrels

✓restrooms

✓free

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Boston

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️

Sat 10/17

Showers · 41–64°F · 78% rain

🌤️

Sun 10/18

Partly cloudy · 40–59°F · 1% rain

Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Common: Tadpole Playground and Frog Pond

🛝 Playground · Boston

What this place offers

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Boston

Location

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Cambridge Common nature playground (Alexander W. Kemp Playground)