Get a Head Start on Father's Day
Celebrate Father's Day just as much as Dad. Start planning now!
Looking for adventures to take Dad on for his big day? We’ve curated some family fun in the New York and Boston areas to ensure you maximize the good times for all!
Boston
RiverFest at Ipswich River Park
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Reservations: Free admission, food and drink available for purchase.
Description: This free outdoor festival celebrates nature and the start of summer on Father’s Day weekend. Families can try fishing with provided gear, meet live snakes and other critters, learn about pollinators through hands-on garden demos, and enjoy local music performances and treats from food trucks. All ages are welcome.
Free Father’s Day at Franklin Park Zoo & Stone Zoo ($)
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Reservations: Free entry for dads (other family members require standard admission).
Description: Animal-loving dads spend the day for free! Both of Boston’s zoos (Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, which we’re fans of any day) are offering complimentary admission for all fathers on Father’s Day. Wander with the family to see lions, tigers, giraffes, and more – and keep an eye out for any special zookeeper talks or kids’ activities happening to mark the day. All ages will enjoy time here.
Father’s Day Bluegrass BBQ at Powisset Farm ($$)
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 12:00–2:00 PM
Reservations: Ticketed, pre-registration required, roughly $70 per adult and $30 per child. Register here (registration includes barbecue, sides, and non-alcoholic beverages; beer & wine available for purchase).
Description: Treat Dad to a relaxing afternoon on the farm with delicious food and music. This event features an authentic barbecue lunch (think pulled pork, chicken, and sides) plus live bluegrass music in a scenic farm setting. Kids can play lawn games and visit barnyard animals on site, while adults kick back with an adult beverage. Visitors encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and picnic blankets!
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 12:30 PM
Reservations: Free, but get there early to find a good spot along the parade route!
Description: Experience a beloved Boston tradition that just so happens to fall on Father’s Day this year. The annual Bunker Hill Parade winds through Charlestown with marching bands, military units, colonial reenactors, and plenty of patriotic fanfare to commemorate the Revolutionary War battle. This year is the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, so expect an especially big celebration with lots of neighborhood pride (and likely some ice cream and candy for kids along the route!).
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees ($$)
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 1:35 PM
Reservations: Ticket required, available to purchase online here.
Description: Head to Fenway for an unforgettable Father’s Day at the ballpark as the Red Sox take on the Yankees. A Sunday afternoon game at historic Fenway Park is great family fun – grab some Fenway Franks, root for the home team, and sing along during the 7th-inning stretch. The rivalry atmosphere is exciting (if a bit loud), but there are family seating sections and kid-friendly concessions available.
New York
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025
Reservations: Ticketed, $10 regular fee price plus $2 surcharge per person, children 5 and under free. Purchased at gate.
Description: Spend a memorable day in the Bronx with Dad in Wave Hill’s beautiful public gardens, where special activities include a Family Art Project, a guided nature walk, and even a community yoga session. On this day only, families are invited to picnic on the Wave Hill House lawn (bring your own basket or pre-order one) and enjoy the scenery. All ages are welcome.
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Reservations: Not needed, free event.
Description: Little ones can get up close to real firefighting gear at this hands-on meetup in Dr. John’s Playground (Marine Park). Kids (recommended ages 2–10) are invited to climb aboard a fire engine and tour the interior with volunteers from the Gerritsen Beach Fire Department – a dream come true for any truck-loving child! All ages can attend (strollers welcome).
When: Friday, June 13, 2025, 5:00–7:30 PM
Reservations: Not needed, free event.
Description: Kick off Father’s Day weekend with an all-ages dance party at Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center on the Lower East Side. This free evening event features a “silent disco” – grab the provided wireless headphones and groove to family-friendly tunes on multiple channels, plus enjoy jumbo lawn games, kids’ arts and crafts, and light refreshments. Headphones are first-come, first-served, and no loud music means even the littlest dancers can have fun.
Father’s Day Aquatic Insects Exploration
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 1:00–2:30 PM
Reservations: Not needed, free event (equipment provided).
Description: Join the Urban Park Rangers at Oakland Lake in Alley Pond Park for a mini wildlife adventure by the water. Families will get hands-on as they explore the pond for aquatic insects and learn about the tiny creatures that inhabit NYC’s waterways. It’s a casual, drop-in nature program suitable for budding scientists of all ages.
Father’s Day Weekend at Children’s Museum of Manhattan ($)
When: Saturday & Sunday, June 14–15, 2025 (various times)
Reservations: Ticket required ($18 per person), purchase online here.
Description: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is celebrating dads and father figures with special craft workshops all weekend. These drop-in activities are included with standard museum admission, so families can also enjoy CMOM’s interactive exhibits during the visit. Recommended for toddlers and elementary-age kids.
New York Mets vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($$)
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 1:40 PM
Reservations: Ticket required; consider special family seating sections. Available to purchase online here.
Description: Take Dad out to the ballgame! The Mets play a home afternoon game on Father’s Day, and the stadium will be filled with families and fun. As a bonus, the first 15,000 fans through the gates get a free Mets Hawaiian shirt giveaway, a festive keepsake for the occasion. Between innings, enjoy family activities on the concourse and classic ballpark snacks. All ages encouraged.
Father’s Day Brunch Cruise (Hudson River) ($$)
When: June 13–15, 2025, 12:00–2:00 PM
Reservations: A ticket is required (it ranges from approximately $79 to $135). Advanced booking is recommended, and it is available online here.
Description: For a unique Father’s Day meal, set sail on a family-friendly brunch cruise around NYC. You’ll voyage under the Brooklyn Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and along the skyline for incredible photo ops while enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet of brunch favorites. Adults can toast Dad with bottomless mimosas, while kids sip juice and take in the views from the deck. All ages welcome.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert ($$$)
When: June 11–14, 2025, 7:30–10:15 PM
Reservations: Tickets are sold out directly from the New York Philharmonic, but are available for resale on other ticketing websites. Be forewarned – it’s pricey!
Description: For all the Darth Vaders out there, catch this can’t-miss film performance of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, with John Williams’s Grammy-winning score performed live by the NY Philharmonic. Appropriate for kids ages five and up.
What We’re Reading this Week 📖
I'm moving my family from Florida to Connecticut: I was blown away by the differences in schools and safety based on locales. Business Insider, despite that name, has great features and short anecdotes from real people and their lives. Aside from personal friends and Reddit, it's one of my favorite sources for what life is like for other moms and dads. This one is from a mom who moved her family from Florida to Connecticut in search of a community that best suited her family's goals for their kids. [from Kim]
Many American Adults Wish They Had More Math Skills: Prioritizing our kids' mathematics education has been a recurring priority for both of us as moms with STEM backgrounds. The headlines of AI taking over, the end of entry-level engineer jobs, and the white-collar recession sometimes make me waver on the importance of math in my kids' future. This survey result was a helpful reminder that we need a strong foundation in math in every walk of life. [from Kim]
Kids Book Recommendation - The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters: This is by far our favorite family read to date on engineering with our kid. It's such a fun and fascinating read that makes a field that sometimes feels dry, so much fun. It's a great read for adults and kids alike, especially when both dad and kid say, "Just one more page!" (… cut to 1 hour later). [from Kim]
Video Recommendation - Very Well Mind Guided Meditations: Even as we’re starting to get more Vitamin D and come out of winter hibernation, it’s important to prioritize mental wellness. These free videos run the gamut of topics to ensure you stay centered and are able to deal with what parent life has to throw at you. [from Jordan]
How We’re Feeling this Week 😅
Struggle Duck: Coming back from a long weekend with family, kids, and usually a butt load of a events, we're looking at a backlog of work items, household chores, and client requests that all needs catching up on. Ironically, as I'm feeling like I'm struggling to stay afloat, my dad commented on how "fortunate I was" and "how good I have it". I seriously started to question what kind of image I was projecting: "Does it look like I have it altogether?" My husband's take is we look like ducks -- calm on the surface and paddling furiously underneath. All "put-together" moms probably feel this way, and it was such a nice reminder on how we're just trying to get our act together. :) [from our resident Mom Kim]
Signing off,
Your Team at MomBrains