Bowling Alleys
Hanover and Abington, MA
Bowling is a great indoor activity for kids and kids at heart! Both Boston Bowl Hanover and Timber Lanes, in Abington, are participating in the Kids Bowl Free program again this year. This program grants enrolled kids two free games every day and summer!
Click HERE to read our recent article on the Kids Bowl Free program.
Carousel Family Fun Center
1055 Auburn Street
Whitman, MA
Roller skating not only provides an amazing cardiovascular workout it is a ton of fun! Carousel Family Fun Center, in Whitman, offers open skating sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and daily during school vacation weeks), plus two popular learn to skate programs on Thursdays and Saturdays!
Learn more about their programs, hours, and pricing at www.carouselskate.com.
Challenge Rocks
3 Pond Park Road
Hingham, MA
Hingham, MA
Open 6 days a week from 11AM - 7PM (closed Tuesday) Challenge Rocks is an indoor rock climbing facility that welcomes everyone from age 4 to 99! A day pass is just $15 and you can either bring sneakers or rent climbing shoes for $5. Harnesses are also available for rent for $5. Once you are there they will go over safety, skill level and everything you need to have a great day climbing.
Find all of their programs including rock climbing, and their ropes course online at www.challengerocks.com.
Hull Lifesaving Museum
Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station
1117 Nantasket Avenue
Hull, MA
Hull, MA
The Hull Lifesaving Museum is a hidden gem on the South Shore! Not only does it contain an amazing wealth of historical maritime information on the Boston Harbor but the hands-on children's loft lets kids explore that history in a way that comes alive. Don't miss the spectacular view of Boston light from their cupola while you are there!
Fore more details including hours and admission information please visit www.lifesavingmuseum.org.
Jungle Jake's Play and Party
300 Oak Street, Suite 340
North Pembroke, MA
Rainy days often mean a lot less physical activity for kids, but they don't have to! At Jungle Jake's kids can climb, bounce, slide and ride their way to getting lots of physical activity regardless of what the weather is outside. They even have a special room for kids under 5 which is perfect for toddlers! Just off Rt 139 in Pembroke they are also just minutes from Rt 3 and very easy to get to. Hours and pricing varies during the week. See their schedule, hours and check out a gallery of photos at www.playatjakes.com.
KidZone
175 Washington Street
Norwell, MA
Jumping, climbing, obstacle courses and more make KidZone a fun place active play on a rainy day! Open play is open to kids age 2 to 12, and hours vary.
Find the details at www.kidzonenorwell.com.
Mass Audubon's North River Sanctuary
2000 Main Street
Marshfield, MA
The trails at Mass Audubon's many properties across the South Shore are perfect for sunny days but, their Discovery Room at North River Sanctuary is perfect for rainy days. Visitors are encouraged to learn about how rain gardens work, take a peek at shells under the microscope and more. In the spring and summer they are open Monday - Saturday with varying hours.
Learn more at www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/north-river/about.
Rockland Youth Commission's Community Playroom
394 Union Street
Rockland, MA 02370
Some days just call for a few new toys! When those days call a trip to the Rockland Youth Commission's Community Playroom is in order. With a climbing structure, ride on toys, kitchen, doll house, puzzles, blocks and more it is a great place to get out of the rain, meet a few new friends, and burn some energy. It is open Monday through Friday from 9AM - 11:30AM and at $3 is a bargain! Sign in at Youth Commission office on the 1st floor, and start playing.
South Shore Children's Museum
1775 Washington Street
Hanover, MA
Located within the Hanover Mall the South Shore Children's Museum provides a hands-on way for children to learn about America's rich history. Admission is $5 per person, or an even better deal is their annual membership which is just $75 for a family of 5! They are open Tuesday through Sunday and in addition to open play they have regularly scheduled story times, and other programming.
Learn more at www.southshorecm.org.
South Shore Natural Science Center
Known for their wonderful trails, children's garden and other outdoor areas the South Shore Natural Science Center also has a wonderful indoor space where children and adults alike can learn about the ecosystems of southeastern Massachusetts. The EcoZone is an interactive exhibit that allows guests to explore the Wetlands, Woodland, Meadow and Tidal Zone. EcoZone is open seven days a week with varying hours, and admission ranges from $3 - $7. Kids under two are free.
To learn more about the South Shore Natural Science Center please visit southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.
Paint Your Own Pottery
Abington and Norwell, MA
Rainy days are perfect for creativity! South Shore Pottery Shop and The Pottery Playce are great places to do some creating while leaving the mess somewhere else!
South Shore Pottery Shops is open Tuesday through Sunday with varying house. Find them online at southshorepotteryshop.vpweb.com.
The Pottery Playce is open Tuesday through Sunday with varying house. Find them online at www.potteryplayce.com.
Public Libraries
Libraries are not just for checking out books! Most, if not all, of the public libraries on the South Shore have toys, puzzles, games, computers, story times and more to keep kids engaged and learning on even the rainiest of days.
Stronghold Ops
1437 Bedford Street
Abington, MA
Sometimes the older kids need to keep busy on rainy days too! Stronghold Ops offers walk on laser tag Thursday through Saturday. It is open to kids 7 and older, and pricing varies by length of play and equipment needed.
Learn more about Stronghold Ops at strongholdops.com.
Macaroni Kid South Shore Boston is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in 13 towns on Boston's South Shore. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in Hanover, Norwell, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Hull, Marshfield, Duxbury, Pembroke, Whitman, Hanson, Rockland, and Abington!
