Free Ice Skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond During February Vacation

For the fourth consecutive year, the Highland Street Foundation will sponsor free ice skating on the Boston Common’s Frog Pond during February school vacation week, Monday, February 18 to Friday, February 22. The free ice skating is part of a larger effort called Winter Camp, created to provide enrichment opportunities for children during the annual week-long school vacation.

“We know that February break is one of the most challenging weeks to keep children active,” Highland Street Foundation Executive Director Blake Jordan said. “The goal with Winter Camp is to offer fun, enriching opportunities as an alternative to television and video games.”

Highland Street is working closely with the Skating Club of Boston, which manages the Frog Pond year-round, and additional partners to enhance the skating experience. On Wednesday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Highland Street and the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department are partnering to transform the Boston Common into a winter wonderland with an inflatable snow slide, toboggan tunnel, ski lift photo booth, games, and complimentary refreshments. Additionally, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will be on site giving away children’s books. Special guests will join in the fun throughout the week including some of Massachusetts’ favorite sports mascots, magicians, and face painters; a giant ice sculpture and one of the Boston Red Sox World Series trophies will be on display.

Complimentary hot chocolate, donuts, and cookies will be served to participants throughout the week. Also, Highland Street will give away 1,000 items each day including winter hats, t-shirts, and warm socks.

In addition to the activities on the Boston Common, Highland Street is partnering with the Boston Public Library to expand its children and teen programming at all 24 neighborhood branches during the vacation week. For a detailed listing of events, click HERE.

Finally, Highland Street is working with a number of nonprofit organizations to provide fun and enriching field trip opportunities including cooking classes at the Boston Public Market; a performance of Runaway Bunny at Boston Children’s Theatre; tickets to the Museum of Science; workshops at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; bowling and more. One of Highland Street’s key partners, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, will also participate, sending their children on field trips to the movies, laser tag, Lego Land, and the New England Aquarium. Teens from the Boys and Girls Clubs will visit local college campuses.

Ice skating will be open to the public Monday, February 18 through Friday, February 22, 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. To avoid long lines for ice skating, tickets for available time slots will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis each day at the Frog Pond starting at 10 a.m. Skate rentals, skating aids, and lockers will also be free. For more information, please click HERE.