12 Fun Things to Do in Western Mass with Kids
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If you’re looking for things to do in Western MA with kids that are guaranteed fun for the whole family, then you’ve come to the right place!
When people think of family-friendly activities in Massachusetts, their minds might automatically go to Boston. While there are many amazing things to do with kids in Boston, I’m going to show you that you don’t need to deal with the traffic headaches and expense of going to the city for a fun family day.
No matter the season, there are plenty of family activities in Western MA and the Berkshires that will keep the kids happy, engaged, and entertained. Best of all, you will be able to find a place to park and probably save some money! It’s a win-win.
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Western Massachusetts
The adventures and activities in this guide are geared toward children in the 5-12 age group who can walk around for a large portion of the day and interact independently with exhibits and rides.
Six Flags New England (Agawam)
Spend the day riding on the rides and rollercoasters, splashing in the water park, watching a show, and playing games. Six Flags New England is fun for the entire family.
Yankee Candle Village (South Deerfield)
Yankee Candle Village is more than just a candle store. Sure, you can buy all of the candles and wax melts you can fit in the trunk of your car and unique gifts in the gift shop, but a trip to the village is an experience that you can’t get at just a store.
Here, you can also visit the Bavarian village, make candles with the kids, visit Santa year-round, learn about the history of the Yankee Candle in the museum, and grab a bite to eat.
Related Post: 10 Fun Family Activities Near Yankee Candle Village
Dr. Seuss Museum (Springfield)
If you have a child who loves Dr. Seuss (don’t most kids?), then getting a peek into his wacky world at the Dr. Seuss Museum will put a big smile on their face.
All of your favorite Dr. Seuss stories are represented here as well as a peek into the interesting life of Theodor Geisel in his childhood home of Springfield, MA.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory (South Deerfield)
Be one with the butterflies. Inside the conservatory, you will follow the paths through 8000 square feet of beautiful plants, flowers, and greenery while butterflies fly all around you. If you’re lucky, one might even land on your hand.
While the butterflies are the main event, you will also see turtles, lizards, birds, and koi fish at Magic Wings.
Springfield Science Museum (Springfield)
Yes, there is also a science museum on the western side of Massachusetts and other fun family activities in Springfield, MA.
Here you can visit the Dinosaur Hall, learn about the animals of Africa, see fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, and more in the Live Animal Center, learn about Earth’s mysteries, and see the stars in the Seymour Planetarium.
Forest Park (Springfield)
Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. A visit here will keep the family busy all day, walking through the winding trails and rose garden, visiting the duck pond, skating in the indoor skating rink, and more.
They even have a zoo where you can visit a wide range of mammals, birds, amphibians, and barnyard animals like coyotes, donkeys, hedgehogs, alligators, macaws, and more at The Zoo in Forest Park.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (Amherst)
A picture book lover’s dream. If you have younger children who love the magic of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, they will love visiting The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Not only will they get to see the work of Eric Carle, but they will also see art from other talented picture book authors and illustrators.
Your child can do an art project at the museum, play with toys, and maybe catch a puppet show. If you’re fortunate, you might get to meet one of your favorite authors, such as Mo Willems or Mac Barnett, in person. Check their website often for current exhibits and events.
Basketball Hall of Fame (Springfield)
The Basketball Hall of Fame is where the legends of basketball live. You will see artifacts belonging to local Boston Celtics heroes, such as Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Russell, and Ray Allen, to name a few.
Berkshire Museum (Pittsfield)
Small but mighty, the Berkshire Museum has a lot of things for kids to discover. Animals of the world dioramas, animals of The Berkshires, science and technology innovations, rocks and minerals, and small aquatic animals.
Keep an eye out for seasonal exhibits during the holiday season.
Hancock Shaker Village (Pittsfield)
Learn about the Shakers and how they lived. You can visit the farm animals at Hancock Shaker Village and walk through historic buildings, a Shaker schoolhouse, a farm, and gardens.
McCray’s Farm (South Hadley)
A visit to McCray’s Farm is a fun family outing that will keep the family occupied for the day.
Visit the animals at the petting zoo, grab lunch and an ice cream cone from the creamery, then play a round of mini-golf on their 18-hole course. You can even stop by the farm for a hearty breakfast sandwich if you’re an early riser.
Lupa Zoo (Ludlow)
Of course, there are plenty of animals to visit at Lupa Zoo, but you can also visit a real-life blacksmith, get a souvenir at the General Store, and play on the playground.
Family-Friendly Activities in Southern New England
This is just the tip of the iceberg of everything to do with kids in Western MA. It is a beautiful part of the state, and you will be able to find fun, family-friendly activities to do in every season, either indoors or outside.
If you spend some time in Southern New England or live in the area, there are more things to do with kids just a short drive away from Western Massachusetts.
