Greater Boston and its environs are full of activities that offer significant discounts for the younger set (some extend the cutoff age to 13). There's ice skating on Boston Common's Frog Pond (free for kids); skiing at nearby resorts (kids' lift tickets are generally at least $25 cheaper than adult tickets); hanging with the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo ($6 for a kid's admission); and taking in the whole city from the Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center ($7.50 for kids under 12).
A few more of our favorites
Bargain-hunting day-trippers with a lot of energy should consider purchasing a Go Boston Card, which includes admission to Boston attractions such as the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Duck Tours, the Franklin Park Zoo, and many others. A one-day pass is $49 for adults, $35 for kids 3-12. gobostoncard.com
All-you-can-eat means smaller portions for smaller tummies. With that in mind, dinner at the Mongolian barbecue restaurant Fire + Ice costs $9.95 for kids 7 to 12 and $6.95 for kids under 7; adults pay $16.95 each. Fire+Ice, 205 Berkeley St., Boston and 50 Church St., Cambridge. fire-ice.com
At the movies, youth is both a bane and a boon. Kids under 13 aren't allowed to see many feature films without adult supervision, but they do receive decent discounts for movie tickets. At the majority of AMC Theatres, for example, adults pay $10.50 for a full-fare ticket, while kids under 13 pay $7.50. And everyone pays way too much for the refreshments. AMC Theatres, several locations. amctheatres.com
