Travel for Kids Boston - Public Garden and Boston Common



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		Boston Common & Public Garden



		Boston Common is America’s oldest public park. In 1634, land was bought to be shared by the townspeople. On Boston Common, cattle grazed, children sledded on the hills in winter, and British soldiers camped out for eight years during the Revolution. In later centuries, ponds and fountains were added, and when the subway was built, Park St. was the first stop.


			Boston Common –

			Frog Pond – In winter, go ice skating right in the heart of Boston (November to March), lockers and skates for rent. In summer, Frog Pond is a big shallow wading pool, with a snack bar and picnic tables. (If kids are going to wade, they’ll get wet, so bring extra clothes.) Next to the pond, kids can climb all over the bronze statues of two frogs, the “fishing” frog and “thinker” frog.

			Tadpole Playground – Across from Frog Pond is one of our favorite playgrounds with water play area, slides, climbing structures, delightful frog statues and mosaics, frog at top is often dressed in different costumes, fun for toddlers.

			Freedom Trail – The Freedom Trail begins at the Boston Common, at the visitor center. Follow the red brick road on a 2.5. mile walk through sights of the American Revolution.

			Public Garden –

			Swan boats – Everyone in the family enjoys a ride on the swan boats (photo at top of page) in the Public Gardens, unique to Boston. The ride is inexpensive, lasts 15 minutes, but there can be long lines in the summer and on nice weekends in the spring. Ride the boats April to September.

			Ducklings statues – There’s an island in the swan boats pond, just like the island home of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight ducklings in Make Way for Ducklings. Next to the pond are adorable bronze statues of Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack (the ducklings are shiny from all the kids who’ve petted their heads).

			Around the pond are benches, lots of grass to run around, and real swans and ducks in the pond. Bring a picnic.

Make Way for Ducklings
Robert McCloskey

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard like the Public Garden, but it’s no place to hatch ducklings. The Charles River is the perfect spot to raise Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack. And when the time comes, Mrs. Mallard marches through Boston with her eight ducklings, right on into the Public Garden. An all-time favorite children's story. (Picture book)

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Boston Common & Public Garden