There are so many fun things to do in Westford, it can be tough to fit all of them in the same day. Many of Westford’s top attractions, like Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Kimball Farm, or The Butterfly Place, will take up most of your day and you’ll have to dip into your wallet. But if you’re looking for a fun way to fill your day with the kids for free, there are still plenty of things to check out. So go ahead, pack a lunch, grab the kiddos, and enjoy a free outing.
Start your day off by heading to the J.V. Fletcher Library, where you can find a cute children’s section on the second floor that has bead-mazes, puzzles, a train table, and stuffed animals from various storybooks. There’s also a nice spot out back for a picnic, furnished with multi-colored lawn chairs. If you’re lucky, there may even be a musical event taking place. See our overview of the Fletcher Library's children's areas and programs.
Next, take a stroll across the street to the Town Common, where you’ll see a gazebo and plenty of space for the kids to run around. Depending on the day of your visit, you may also want to head over to the Westford Museum, which is free and open to the public from 2-4 PM on Sundays.
If you’re with older kids or have your stroller with you, take a walk towards the Abbot School down Depot Street to check out the "Westford Knight" carving. According to legend, the etching marks an image of a knight that was created nearly 100 years before Columbus came to America.
Once you make it back to your car, take a short drive to East Boston Camps. You can park on Depot Street along the railroad tracks and across from Stony Brook Farm. It’s a bit tricky to find, because the entrance is hidden alongside the tracks. But once you get in, you and the kids will have a blast exploring the 286 acres of conservation land, which boasts scenic views and miles of hiking trails. Though the trails aren’t too stroller-friendly due to tree roots and moderate hills, you could certainly walk them with a school-age child or wear a baby in a carrier. Definitely bring your camera or have your phone handy because the photo opportunities are wonderful. One of the best spots is a little granite bench sitting on top of the hill overlooking the pond. There are many letterboxing, geocaching, Pokémon Go and Munzee spots in East Boston Camps. Note that during the summer months, there are camps running at both the upper campground (Marcus Lewis Day Camps) and lower campground (Westford Recreation) and access to the beaches and fields in those areas is not permitted for non-campers. Also, many walkers at EBC let their dogs run off leash, so if your children are afraid of dogs, be prepared to call out to the walkers to ask them to leash their dog.
After spending time in the great outdoors, hop back in the car for your final destination: Edwards Beach. It should be noted that while the beach is free for residents, there is a $5 fee for non-residents, but children under three are always free. Here you can take a dip in Nabnasset Pond, which has plenty of shaded areas from trees and a couple of picnic tables. The entrance to the swimming area isn’t huge, but once in the water there’s plenty of room to play, and the beach is roomy enough for any toddler with a bucket and shovel. There’s also a volleyball net, tetherball, and a small concession stand.
If you and the kids need a break from swimming, you can also find fun on the adjacent playground, Ronan McElligott Playground. It’s fenced in and has swings, including two baby bucket swings, at least six different slides, a rock wall, and a climbing structure for smaller kids to enjoy. There isn’t as much shade at the playground as there is at the beach, so it may be wise to bring hats and extra sunscreen if you’re venturing over during the middle or hottest part of the day.
If you find yourself with extra time or some spare change lying around, these Westford hotspots are certainly worthwhile and won’t break the bank:
Kelsey Little is a local mother of two and a middle school English teacher. She enjoys exploring parks, beaches and playgrounds with her family.
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