Boston Marathon Weekend Kid-Friendly Activity Guide

Boston Marathon Weekend Kid-Friendly Activity Guide

Running Peas is officially launching our Boston shirts this weekend to coincide with one of my favorite running events — the Boston Marathon. The energy in Boston this time of year is unparalleled and contagious. It’s the kind of buzz you feel after a great run with friends or teammates — that uplifting, joyful feeling that sticks with you all day. The Boston Shirt is a celebration of my time living, working and training in Boston. Runs along the Charles with friends are among my happiest memories. My husband even proposed to me after a long run throughout the streets of Boston! I am extremely grateful for that time of my life, and the lifelong friendships and relationships that persist to this day. 🏃

🙌 In celebration of the Boston Shirt launch we’ve gathered our favorite kid friendly Boston Marathon activities for your enjoyment! Our Running Peas family typically brings scooters to explore Boylston and Newbury Streets in search of fun pop-ups and ice cream. Then we head out to the Charles River to explore the many playgrounds.  

Stop by Marathon Sports on Boylston Street for their annual tent sale and a list of area activities. Check @marathonsports for a full slate of store sponsored activities April 18 - April 22. 

Boston Marathon Expo (April 18-20, 900 Boylston Street)

Boston’s Marathon Expo draws fitness enthusiasts, participants, friends, and athletes to gather with some of the best in the business. This year’s event will feature an Adidas store, official Marathon Sponsors/Licensees, and is sponsored by Sneakers4Good. The Expo is free and open to the public, and will take place in the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center at 900 Boylston St.

B.A.A. Youth Relay Challenge (April 18, 4:00 p.m., Boylston Street Finish)

Young student-athletes from the Greater Boston community will participate in the B.A.A. Youth Relay Challenge, featuring relay races and short sprints along Boylston Street. More than 400 youth athletes are expected to participate in the free event.

Champions Homecoming (April 18, 6:00 p.m., Boylston Street Finish Line)

Open to the public, many Boston Marathon champions and Super Bowl Champion Tedy Bruschi will make an appearance at the finish line to meet, greet and chat with runners. Champions are available to interact with athletes, pose for photos, and sign autographs. 

Marathon Daffodil Dash (April 19, Suffolk Downs; 10:30 a.m.)

The annual Marathon Daffodil Dash will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 10am – 1pm at The Track at Suffolk Downs. Celebrate Marathon weekend in the city with a kids race on the historic racetrack! The Track will be filled with ‘Marathon Daffodils’ that line the streets of Boston leading up to the Boston Marathon finish line. There will be three 50-yard dash races for grades K-2, grades 3-5, and grades 6-8. The races will not be timed, and all participants will receive a bib number and t-shirt. The races will begin at 10:30am.

BAA High School Invitational Mile & Middle School 1K 

(April 19, 11:00 a.m.,  Boylston Street Finish Line)

Top scholastic boys and girls from the cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course, as well as a field of professional male and female milers from around the world, take off in the B.A.A. Invitational Mile on marathon weekend. 

Schedule: 

11:00 AM    Girls Middle School 1K Race Start

11:10 AM    Boys Middle School 1K Race Start

11:25 AM    Girls Scholastic Mile Race Start

11:35 AM    Boys Scholastic Mile Race Start

11:50 AM    Men’s Mile Race Start 

12:00 PM    Women’s Mile Race Start

Fan Fest (April 18-20, Boston City Hall Plaza) 

Free and open to the public, this three-day event at City Hall Plaza features appearances by Boston Marathon champions, live music, activities, a final race clinic, and more.

*City Hall Plaza playground is a new(ish) playground right in the middle of the city! The famous slide can’t be beat!  

Mile 27 Post-Race Party (April 21, Boston City Hall Plaza) 

This Marathon Monday post-race party takes place at City Hall Plaza. There will be  a livestream of the marathon starting at 12 p.m. and live entertainment and snacks available for purchase in the evening at the beer garden. Kids under 12 get in for free, and tickets ($5) can be purchased here.

Revolutionary Scavenger Hunt

(April 21, 12 Depot Square, Lexington Green)

Patriots Day commemorates the Battle of Lexington and the start of the Revolutionary War. Celebrate 250 years of history by joining in this event held in Lexington, MA.  Test your kiddos' clue-solving and observation skills with a Revolutionary-themed scavenger hunt that takes them to sites around the Lexington Green.  More Lexington Patriots Day Events